Listen to this article. Then listen to the poem BELOW.
Searching for Happiness
Dopamine is a “happy” chemical that your body makes. It helps us feel pleasure in response to what our body perceives as rewarding stimuli. We seek out dopamine hits daily by the things we do. This can become a problem when the type of dopamine reward we seek goes against the wellness goals we are trying to achieve.
We say we are making ourselves happy when we do things like eating the chocolate cake, scrolling social media, or giving ourselves retail therapy. These things make us feel good, but the dictionary defines happiness as enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment.
Let’s take a minute to go on a little word definition field trip. Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction. Satisfaction is the fulfillment of one’s wishes, expectations, needs, or the pleasure derived from this. So while you may get pleasure from that new dress or feel that your need for chocolate has been met, it is only temporary. It will also be doing a disservice to your wallet and your waistline. Remember, the more dopamine you receive, the more you will seek. So one piece of cake may turn into three or four, and that dress you bought won’t match any of your shoes which will prompt you to go and buy new ones.
So what do we really mean?
I would like to offer an alternative idea to what we really mean when we say we are happy. I would like to suggest that sometimes it’s not that we are happy and content with the way things are going for us, but that we are comfortable and complacent instead. When we want to be comfortable, we fall back on what we know makes us feel good. We sit in our comfort zone. Why? It’s easier. Sometimes we don’t know where to begin to change our habits or routines, and we sit stagnant afraid to move and afraid to step into the unknown.
Take the first Step
How can we prioritize wellness and move from our toxic comfort zones to get quality pleasure from our lives? For most women, the hardest step is the first one. Deciding to be more diligent about where your money goes, leaving a toxic relationship, and putting your physical health over your physical enjoyment are not easy decisions. You must find guidance in places that you know will support your moving forward. Friend circles, counselors, spiritual leaders, and even good books can get you moving out of your toxic comfort zone and into the health and wellness you deserve.
Focus on Progress Not Perfection
I have a newsflash for all of us ladies. We are not perfect! Many women refuse to take the first step toward their wellness because they know eventually they may make a mistake, and mistakes do not contribute to our happy dopamine rush. Instead, we plan and plan but never execute our plans. You will not be perfect in every aspect of your life all the time, but what you can do is know that you are working towards wellness and the desired goals you would like to accomplish. I am currently reading the book Atomic Habits by James Clear, which explains how just small tiny changes in your behavior over time can change you into who you want to be.
Prioritize Importance
Stephen Covey, the author of the book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, made popular a time management matrix that lets you prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. It is a helpful resource to utilize if you need help weeding out the behaviors and events in your life that stop you from prioritizing your wellness. I have created an editable version for you, and you can find it HERE! It’s time that we stop putting our needs on the back burner. Placing your wellness goals on this list will give you a visualization of what’s important to you and where it fits in your life.
True Happiness
Being comfortable with your life and lifestyle is a wonderful thing. Be careful though not to substitute comfort and complacency for true happiness and satisfaction. Work on knowing your true purpose for your life so that you can focus on total body wellness.
