(Video Script) -> Through evolution, sentient beings have built-in a wellbeing mechanism that motivates positive actions to ensure survival by rewarding pain or pleasure via specific neurotransmitters.
Indeed, pain typically occurs after harmful behavior. Its avoidance generally helps one remain healthy and safe, and thus productive. As guidance, one benefits from having a good sleep habit, a balanced diet, diverse activities, and avoiding or inhibiting toxic substances, injuries, or diseases.
On the pleasure side, oxytocin positively rewards care and bonding, which is designed to foster reproduction and caring for those in need.
Additionally, dopamine rewards the reaching for goals and discoveries, which plays a major role in improving our comfort and safety. This can be gained through diversified activities such as development, relations, entertainment, and physical activities.
To reach these goals, we sometimes must go beyond our limits, or to deal with doubts and uncertainties. Endorphin comes into play here to inhibit pain as a reward for long effort or humor!
And finally, serotonin rewards the recognition of doing something valuable for others. Valid for any individual or group of people, this leads to the general purpose of individuals to optimize the feelings of all sentient beings! Self and external recognition is extremely valuable here in motivating one to reach for valuable and meaningful goals.
To conclude, feeling truly well requires all previously mentioned aspects of wellness to be enhanced in an optimal way!
After this introduction as to what brings wellbeing, we’ll next see how we can enhance our ability to define and reach for goals, leading to sustained motivation and wellbeing.
Source:
Breuning, L. G. (2012). Meet your happy chemicals: Dopamine, endorphin, oxytocin, serotonin. Loretta Graziano Breuning.
