The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

It’s so interesting to listen to people talk about where they live. Sometimes they mention their neighbors or friends as the reason they love it here. Sometimes it’s the weather that makes them smile.

People who have lived in larger populated areas say they love the slower pace of life. People are more nice. They smile and say hello. Our town pulls together when one of our own is hurt. It’s understood that we are in this together. Everybody seems to know everybody’s business, but we’re glad when the chips are down. When something affects one of us, it affects us all. We band together.

One told me, “It’s a great place to live if you love the great outdoors, clean air and blue skies, no traffic jams, (and again)generally more friendly people, less crime, and an easy-going lifestyle that requires seldom having to wear dress up clothes.”

“The problem is the world celebrates the more we have, the happier we are mostly. It just isn’t true.”

I also heard more complaints about their lives this time. Usually, they complain about their home, how they wish it were such and such. They complain about their jobs. They never make enough money. They complained about politics. They complained about the churches. They complained about the different councils in the town. They complained about the lack of laws or too many rules. Let’s face it. We tend to be negative because we want to be.

If you find yourself to be a negative individual, it could be because your dopamine is low. I’ve always been critical of people who are critical, making me one of the critical people. But I just now learned some are negative because of their chemical makeup, making me realize I need to give people more grace to negative people.

I researched this and got the following from the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms of low dopamine levels may include:

• You lack motivation, “the drive.”

• You’re tired.

• You can’t concentrate.

• You’re moody or anxious.

• You don’t feel pleasure from previously enjoyable experiences.

• You’re depressed; you feel hopeless.

• You have a low sex drive.

• You have trouble sleeping or have disturbed sleep.

See your healthcare provider. You may have a disease that’s associated with dopamine deficiency that’s treatable. If an illness can’t be diagnosed, you may wish to try remedies that naturally increase dopamine. Keep in mind that further research is needed on the effects of food on neurotransmitters such as dopamine.

• Eat a diet that’s high in magnesium and tyrosine-rich foods. These are the building blocks of dopamine production. Tyrosine is an amino acid. It’s absorbed in your body and then goes to your brain, where it’s converted into dopamine. Foods known to increase dopamine include chicken, almonds, apples, avocados, bananas, beets, chocolate, green leafy vegetables, green tea, lima beans, oatmeal, oranges, peas, sesame and pumpkin seeds, tomatoes, turmeric, watermelon, and wheat germ.

• Engage in activities that make you happy or feel relaxed. This is thought to increase dopamine levels. Some examples include exercise, meditation, yoga, massage, playing with a pet, walking in nature, or reading a book.

• Exercise regularly. Physical activity is known to improve mood.

• Eat protein.

• Reduce saturated fat consumption.

• Pay attention to “gut health.”

• Get enough sleep.

• Meditate.

• Get an appropriate amount of sunlight.

• Listen to music you enjoy.