Today’s video is about that mythical, magical, motivational neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is super important for making us feel pleasure and motivation. When dopamine is released, we feel good, which makes us want to do that action again repeatedly. Dopamine is our body’s way of rewarding us for activities that should be used to sustain us. But, if your body produces it through unhealthy means, you will not have the right balance. Then, the activities that are supposed to produce it will stop working as they should.
Unhealthy ways dopamine becomes imbalanced
Drugs, alcohol, the internet, and social media can cause a constant cycle that can develop bad habits. Having discipline is critical, and creating healthy habits is a must. When you think about motivation surrounding successful people, it boils down to good habits. What you do consistently will determine where you end up. Check out the audiobook from James Clear called “Atomic Habits,” which is one of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to you. It gives a framework to develop exceptional habits and how to break bad ones. The book re-shapes how you think about being successful with easy-to-follow actionable steps. I’ve also been hooked on the Audible podcast “Business Wars.”
Common signs that dopamine is deficient
- Lacking motivation.
- Difficulty focusing on a task, job, or objective.
- Being tired, sluggish, lazy, and run down.
- Being restless at night.
- Not finding enjoyment with things that used to give you pleasure.
- Having a lower sex drive.
- Being socially withdrawn.
- Having problems with anger and low self-esteem.
- Being super forgetful.
- Having a difficult time controlling impulses.
- Hand tremors, muscle cramps, and gastrointestinal issues such as constipation.
How to get dopamine back into balance
- Get the behavior under control while developing a new habit in its place.
- Exercise.
- Get massages.
- Engage in meditation.
- Engage in activities outdoors, such as gardening, walking, or hiking.
- Take L-tyrosine and L-theanine amino acids, which are building blocks for dopamine.
- Take vitamin D3 and magnesium supplements along with omega-3 fatty acids.
