It’s been called the molecule of happiness, but serotonin is far more than that in any workplace that engages its power.
Serotonin is actually a chemical that can add focus and higher problem solving skills to transform any ordinary day. How so?
- On the golf course, you’ll get finer hits to the green.
- In relationships, you’ll score more allies.
- When sleeping, you’ll enter better rest.
- For leadership, you’ll attract more support.
- At work, you’ll offer innovation solutions.
Recent research shows serotonin as more of a choice than once thought. It’s also true that we each come with mixed levels, and that events over any day can raise or lower natural serotonin supplies.
Lesser known, however, is the fact that serotonin for the brain at work is more a choice, than it is dependant on daily events that go well. That’s likely not surprising if you observe its abundance in people who laugh, care, give or lead well, in spite of tough times.
Here are a few power punch enablers that serotonin offers:
1. People possess naturally about 5 to 10 mg of the chemical.
2. Serotonin is 90% within your intestines.
3. The hormone’s additional 10% surges through the blood and brain.
4. It’s neurotransmitter roles regulates:
Sleep
Memory
Appetite
Learning
Cardiovascular functions
Moods
Muscle contraction
Temperature regulation
5. Increase serotonin through foods such as milk, plums, pineapples, turkey, and bananas, as they add amino acid called tryptophan for manufacturing natural serotonin.
6. Neurons in the brain release serotonin, and the levels of release impact many behaviors.
7. Low serotonin levels can cause anxiety, fear, self-pity, insomnia, stress, and depression.
8. Certain drugs, such as Prozac, and even LSD will mimic serotonin in the brain.
Brainpower can increases for those who raise their serotonin levels in natural ways, and without drugs - simply by choosing to do so. Can you see why serotonin is deemed the brain’s miracle drug.
There’s more good news yet. Each time you choose to raise your serotonin levels, you literally rewire your brain’s plasticity to cultivate more brain benefits on a regular basis. Sound like a winning deal? If so, how will you raise your own and other’s serotonin today?
on Sep 7th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Ellen, I saw a fact here that’s intriging - serotonin is 90% in the intestines. Do you have the sense that when something traumatic takes place it might be why we feel a Mac truck hit us in the stomach?
Robyn McMasters last blog post..What I Learned from Friends
on Sep 7th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Hi Ellen…I love your new look and format. well done.
on Sep 7th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Good point! That’s exactly why the gut gets a stressor first, Robyn:-) Cortisol also surges there. The key is to top up seritonin and reduce cortisol:-) It’s great to know more about how it works so we can do just that!
on Sep 7th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Thanks for stopping by GL — and thanks to Robyn for all her tech and other smarts in getting this site to rock! At the end of the day any site is only as good as the value of community that comes by — and thanks for making this site one to look forward to GL!
on Sep 16th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Ellen,
Doesn’t exercise also trigger serotonin production? By becoming more active, both physically and mentally, we can begin to create the balance that leads to real well-being.
As a writer, I find it so easy to neglect physical activity in favor of my many intellectual endeavors. So, I always need to remind myself that, while exercising our mental muscles during writing and researching is great for keeping them strong and supple, that added physical workout can also work wonders for our attitude, which in turn will boost our brain power even more than mental activity alone.
Exercise can also help us drain the stress that often builds while we engage in mental work that requires extended periods of concentration, giving our brains a much-needed rest and helping to rejuvenate, replenish, and refocus them for the next round of mental activity.
I just love your concept of rewiring the brain’s plasticity! What an adventure–and what a valid goal!
Aside from adding more Tryptophan to my diet, I plan to work on creating greater balance between mental and physical activity today, to maintain a positive attitude, to seek new sources of knowledge and use them to learn and absorb exciting new things, and to forge new connections with people. Those activities should give me that shot of serotonin that I need for optimal mental function. I also plan to help boost other people’s serotonin levels by engaging them in positive, friendly, encouraging, and affirming ways.
Thanks for an inspiring post!
Jeanne
P.S. I may be a little late reading and responding to this post, but it’s never too late to begin improving our serotonin levels!
on Sep 17th, 2008 at 10:08 am
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on Sep 27th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
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on Sep 27th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
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