Five steps to D.O.S.E. on Happy Chemicals and become more Productive at Work

As the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications continue to unfold globally, in Australia and in our community, it's normal for people working at home to experience a wide range of thoughts, feelings and emotions such as feeling stressed, anxious, worrisome or fearful. Emotions that are not necessarily helpful to being at your best.

Fortunately if you are faced with situations or circumstances that seemingly lead to a disproportionate response to the stressor and so a release of cortisol – the stress hormone, you can consciously work to build new neural pathways to trigger happy chemicals instead. In that you have control and you’ll feel a whole lot better more often! 

Here’s 5 ways to get happy chemicals flowing;

1.     What do you want? 

·       Take a minute to think about  - not what you don't want, rather ask yourself – what do you want this hour / this morning / this afternoon? Focusing on what you want triggers the expectations of meeting your needs so you’ll feel safe, satisfied and content. The chemicals that make us feel good are the brain’s signal that the need is met. Once you decide what you want those happy chemicals will come when you try the following steps.

2.     Plan a Reward.

·       Dopamine is the excitement you feel when a reward is at hand. In a world where our immediate basic needs are easily met we need to focus on future needs. Dopamine is released any time you anticipate a reward – perhaps even the first coffee of the day. 

·       Rather than be seduced by the well – worn pattern of negative thought about a particular task, thinkabout the reward you’ll give yourself once the task is complete. 

·       Just thinking about the reward that you nominate helps you feel happier and so more productive. Do this and your dopamine levels will increase. You may be surprised how this simple act resulted in you completing the task more efficiently than previously!

3.     Connect – socially (do not discuss work)! 

·       Oxytocin is related to the nice safe feeling of social trust. Herd animals like us humans feel safe with their herd because oxytocin is flowing. Lowering your guard in the safety of social support increases oxytocin release. 

·       Consider who of your workmates and or friends you are closest to, where you can 100% be yourself and reach out to them on Zoom, WebEx, Google Hangouts etc. to discuss anything you know you’re aligned on. 

·       Take time to reflect afterwards. Notice how that felt? Consider incorporating an optimal amount of time in your schedule for oxytocin enhancement!

4.     Be a proud Expert – the SME! 

·       Serotonin is the good feeling of social importance.  We humans strive for social importance because it helps us feel good! Our brains are designed to reward ourselves when we find a position of strength. 

·       If you released it all the time, we might assert ourselves unwisely and end up worse. We’ve seen dominant type behavior happen in the workplace before and know it's not always optimal for leadership success. 

·       We face a dilemma with Serotonin. It’s important to realise that we’re all comparing ourselves to others and may feel less when we sense a disadvantage. We may condemn this impulse in others as a way to put ourselves in the one up position just to get a rush of serotonin. 

·       So accept the naturalness of Serotonin and simply consider where you are the expert. Where you are the subject matter expert. Be proud of sharing your expertise and notice the good feelings that emerge. 

5.     Move your body!

·       Endorphin masks pain with a euphoria feeling. The word Endorphin is an abbreviation for “endogenous morphine”. So endorphin is a natural opioid. It is only released in response to physical pain and lasts a short time. “Runners high” is a euphoric experience described and achieved by marathon runners. 

·       We can achieve just some small surges just by moving our body in new ways. We don’t need to go running necessarily. How often are moving our bodies in single unilateral planes. As business – people  most of the working day involves walking, standing, sitting, rising – all in the one plane. 

·       Try simply moving the body through the full range of motion in every plane in the home office; rotating the ball and socket joints (hips and shoulders), as well as flexing and extending the hinge joints (elbows, knees, ankles) and gliding joints (spine). Do this and your endorphin levels will increase and you’ll be guaranteed to feel more relaxed if not happier!

Thanks to @DrLorettaBreuning the inspiration for this article. As the author of many books, teaches people to manage their brain chemicals to help them feel good. 

I'm an evidence – based leadership and executive coach with under and post graduate university qualification in Psychology, Business and Science. With 100's of individual satisfied clients holding roles at all levels across numerous industry sectors.

I’m ready to help at this challenging time with Better Questions – Deeper Insights – Stronger Results. Call me on 0422 236 237to discuss how I can help you. Alternatively, email me at tim.hicks@crystallizeconsulting.com.au