When you feel better you do better, but our happy chemicals are not designed to flow all the time for no reason. What's a big-brained mammal to do? These happy chemical strategies are simple enough to teach the people around you. You can have company on the path to dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphin!
19. 1. Realistic Expectations
there is no free dopamine
my expectations about
rewards are shaped by my
unique past experience
disappointment turns on a
visceral threatened feeling
20. 2. Personal Agency
I have to keep stepping to keep enjoying dopamine
I am not really threatened despite the cortisol
I can build new pathways by feeding my brain
new experiences
31. 1. Realistic Expectations
there is no free oxytocin
social isolation feels like a survival threat
despite conscious intent
my threatened feelings flow from
my own expectations
32. 2. Personal Agency
I must step toward trust to enjoy oxytocin
My cortisol is not necessarily a real threat
I can build new pathways w. new experiences
41. 1. Realistic Expectations
there is no free serotonin
disappointments in the quest for social dominance
feel like survival threats despite conscious intent
my threatened feelings are triggered by
my own natural urge for social importance
42. 2. Personal Agency
I can keep creating small moments of pride and
self-confidence to keep enjoying serotonin
I am not really threatened despite the cortisol
I can build new expectations by feeding my brain
new experiences