Welcome back! On our next stop in finding our Inner Child, we’re going to explore the chemistry of happiness. Let’s start out with this question.
“If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!”
A childhood staple in any music class, and usually sung with great exuberance. When was the last time you sang it? Probably in your childhood’s music class.
Why?
Because we grew up, that’s why. We don’t clap anymore when we’re happy.
Why?
Because we’re too busy trying to find happiness.
But wait, you say. Didn’t you just say we’re not happy?
Exactly!
Stay with me, here. Let me ask you this.
How do you retrieve the feeling of your childhood happiness?
It seems, to me anyway, that when I reached adulthood (i.e., a bill-paying, menu-planning, routine- creating grown-up) I forgot how to NOT plan to have fun. Happiness is truly something that cannot be scheduled in your planner. It is something that needs to organically, naturally happen. We can’t plan sunny weather on picnic days, but we can learn to have fun jumping in the puddles.
Anyone who knows me knows that I do not get along with numbers, especially when they are attached to letters. So, this month’s adventure was most interesting to research– to explore the chemical makeup of happiness!
What’s our first step?
By taking a peek into how your body processes happiness, of course!
Think back to school days again.
Why?
Because your body is a daily chemistry experiment, and happiness is part of that!
Happiness is made up of four chemicals:
But what do these chemicals do for my happiness?
Oh SO much, my friend!
Let’s take a look!
Okay, that’s cool, you say? I thought so too.
Now, how does your body send these little packages of joy where they need to be?
Answer: Your bloodstream!
Your body uses these chemicals to produce hormones that are released into your bloodstream.
Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers.
These chemicals are released into your bloodstream.
They travel to their specific organs, tissues, and nerves.
Whew! Bet you didn’t think finding your Inner Child would involve a chemistry or biology class! But, follow me on this one….
In order to find that hidden spark of fun, creativity, imagination (whatever you want to call it)….
you need to know how your adult body is still capable of finding the happiness of childhood around you!
So now what, you ask me?
Now, relax! And let your body do what it was designed to do!
Remember! Children do not worry away the days about whether their bodies are sending the right neurotransmitters, or whether they will be happy tomorrow. They just enjoy the moment.
So……..
“Be happy for no reason, like a child.”
~Depak Chopra
Be happy for no reason, because your body was created for doing just that very thing!
Here’s the next printable for your
Inner Child Tool Box!
A quick reference guide to boosting your own happiness! I’ve included some ideas but left space for you to write in your own! Click on it to download and print your copy for your binder!
"Children are happy because they don't have a file in their minds called Things That Could Go Wrong." ~Marianna Williamson
Next stop on our Adventure: Finding Our EQ!
