We’ve all found ourselves in a situation where we want something and we know what needs to happen to get it, but we are not motivated to do anything about it. Motivation is the fuel for action, development and evolution. To grow and gain new skills or knowledge requires motivation. But why do we struggle to harness this powerful tool we all possess?

Motivation is a brain function and activity driven by our environment and perception. Notably, the term 'environment' not only refers to the outside world, but also includes the internal processes inside our body. This internal process is driven by certain chemicals including a very important one called Dopamine.

The Importance of Dopamine

Dopamine is a chemical involved in many processes in our body. It is responsible for feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. It plays a crucial role in our motivation, learning, memory, moods, and concentration amongst others.

A lack of dopamine can cause mental and physical imbalances such as depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Parkinson's disease, restless legs syndrome, and more. Understanding the importance of dopamine in our body, the question now is, what can we do to keep our dopamine levels balanced?

Balancing Dopamine Levels Through Lifestyle Changes

The first step to maintaining balanced dopamine levels is making lifestyle changes. Dopamine is not only produced by our body but also by certain bacteria in our digestive system. These bacteria consume some of the food we consume and turn this food into chemicals we can use. Dopamine is one of those chemicals produced, thanks to our gut bacteria.

Adopting a diet that facilitates the conversion process of Dopamine is part of the solution. Regular sleep and maintaining the same sleep schedule will help maintain your gut microbiome stable. It's also important to control your stress levels as stress can harm our good bacteria. Regular exercise and continually challenging yourself can also aid in maintaining dopamine levels. The more challenges you are able to overcome, the more dopamine you will release for your wellbeing.

Avoid highly processed foods and high levels of simple sugars as sugar is a big trigger for dopamine release. Take it one day at a time and keep observing your level of motivation as you make these changes in your habits.

Avoiding Harmful Routes to Rebalance Dopamine

Many people suffer from chemical imbalances and use different routes to try and rebalance their dopamine levels. Drugs, sugar, risky behaviors and habits are used by some people to rebalance themselves. However, these methods can have very serious consequences in the future like accidents, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and more.

Understanding how your body functions and starting to adapt your behavior accordingly is the key. Remember, motivation is not a fixed or finite resource. It's a process that can be nurtured and developed. With a balanced lifestyle and understanding of your body's internal processes, you can harness the power of motivation to achieve your goals and live a healthy, fulfilling life.