Happy Neuro Buddies

I had no idea at all!

That was me for a long time (a little too long) but I confess I thought that all the neuroscience talk was for clever people, who knew stuff.

But once I stopped (grief made me do that) I started wondering why do I :

  • Ruminate
  • Worry obsessively
  • Negatively predict the future
  • Suffer poor sleep
  • Jump to conclusions
  • Have to fill every minute with doing things
  • Assume I’m not quite good enough
  • Not challenge myself
  • Compare myself to others
  • Procrastinate

And on and on … you get the picture.

So I figured that the only person I am in charge of is me so I made small steps, tentatively at first with great secrecy (incase I was no good, and then everyone would know, and I’d be rubbish at everything!).  

The small steps became bigger and easier and then I got good at things and felt confident, excited and looked forward to being me. 

I began to learn about these amazing neuro-transmitters that I have and understood how important they are to my survival, happiness, interactions, understanding and sense of self.

Here are my little “Happy Neuro Buddies”:

Dopamine – responsible for motivating me, rewards, memory and attention.

Oxytocin – it’s warm and fuzzy, promotes feelings of love, social bonding and companionship

Serotonin – regulates mood, happiness, pride, respect.

Endorphins – euphoria feelings, general well-being and pain relief.

I worked out when they were off duty and how I could get them back on track to keep me steady, motivated, focused, happy, content and logical.

Of course I haven’t found the answer to all life’s problems (I’m human) – its work in progress, but I’m in charge of me now.