Friendly reminder that serotonin and dopamine are not the same thing but they are equally important!
Serotonin gets you motivated. It controls sexual desire and motivation. If levels are normal you'll feel more calm, focused, emotionally stable and overall. When it's too low, you can feel depressed or suffer from insomnia, as serotonin works with melatonin to help you sleep and wake up. It also controls bowel movements and appetite! Serotonin is long lasting.
Dopamine is is short term. It makes us feel good in those same ways but it can wear off if we don't follow through with tasks or plans. Low levels of dopamine can lead to a spiral of issues, just like low serotonin. Dopamine thrives on instant gratification, but doing and seeking said instant gratification long term causes us to feel apathetic, depressed, or even lonely.
In conclusion, to feel a little more emotionally stable, seek things that will cause long term happiness as well as short term. Do things your brain will remember. Oftentimes the things that make us ask ourselves "what did I do today?" are the tasks that are not as fulfilling. Things like being chronically online, watching TV/YouTube, impulse buying, etc.
Here's some examples of dopamine that can really change your life:
Take care of yourselves. In 2024 we are hacking our brains and making sure we have the tools to be happy long term!! β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
