4 Self Healing Chemicals

Sue Spence
Jun 15, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Mar 26

Following Advice

When I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and was seeing a psychologist, she told me to tip the car guards and anyone who helped me in any way. I had no idea at that time why she had told me to do that. It was only recently, having been diagnosed with severe depressive disorder and put on disability, and while working with the occupational therapist, that I really started gaining more insight into my condition, that the penny dropped!

4 good chemicals to help heal from depression

Chemical Mayhem

If you have read my previous article "10 Things to Know about Major Depressive Disorder" you will know that major depressive disorder, aka clinical depression, is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, which then is treated primarily through corrective medication prescribed by the treating medical professional. Taking medication isn't the only answer to this mental illness though, as you can help yourself heal and speed up your recovery.

In this article, I will share 20 simple day-to-day activities you can do to trigger the 4 happy chemicals naturally found in your brain to help heal yourself and feel human again, while taking your medication.

Happy Healing Chemicals

#1 - Dopamine - The Reward Chemical

Eating food - as I've said in my previous article "Top 10 Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder" try to be healthy and not just eat comfort food.
Completing a task - I will share more about this in a future article.
Doing self-care activities - taking a daily bath/shower, washing hair, painting nails, getting a haircut, basically anything that makes you feel good about yourself.
Showing kindness - so here we have tipping the car guard explained, but giving a smile or a kind word or compliment, doing a kind act all work just as well.
Listen to music - play some of your favourite tunes, maybe even dance around a bit if you can as part of your exercise routine.
Try something new - doesn't need to be dramatic, can be a new hobby or a new recipe, but must be within your current abilities.

#2 - Serotonin - The Mood Stabilizer

Get some sunlight - sit in the sun or take a walk in the sun, it's an immediate mood booster. My kitty cat loves to take a walk around the garden with me; he follows like a little dog and we sometimes play a game of hide and seek, or he pounces on me while I'm walking around.
Exercise - do as much, or little, as you can manage. I (try to) do 5 minutes a day of a few exercises I have that I rotate through the week, each targeting different parts of my body each day.
Meditation - a really good way to slow down and relax, this helps me to sleep when my mind is still racing around at the end of the day. I will share some of my experiences on this in a future article.
Express gratitude - this can be part of your meditation or expressed verbally to those who support you. I can't thank my husband and family enough for all their support and encouragement and often tell them how much I love and appreciate them for it.

#3 - Oxytocin - The Love Hormone

Holding hands - physical contact with a loved one is huge and necessary for healing. My husband and I are always holding hands even when watching TV together; his hands are always so warm and comforting on mine.
Hugging someone - again physical contact of a hug cannot be underestimated. I'm a huge hugger and cannot get enough hugs, from anyone, so much so that I can get myself into trouble at times, but of course, no one beats my husband's hugs!
Date night - with your significant other will give you a big dose of oxytocin, and you don't have to spend money: a picnic in the yard, a walk in the forest/on the beach/field/whatever is close to you, or even just sitting under the stars on a clear night and chatting together is all you need.
Play with a baby or child - who doesn't enjoy the sheer delight and innocence of a child's laughter? Sadly I don't have any grandchildren, yet!
Play with a pet - I always feel good when I play with or even just stroke my kitty cat and animals have a way of knowing when their human is not well. My kitty isn't normally one for lots of cuddles but he lets me cuddle him and will come and sleep on the bed right next to me when I'm not feeling too well.
Showing kindness - as before, you can give the car guard a tip, but giving a smile or a kind word or compliment, doing a kind act all work just as well.

#4 - Endorphins - The Pain Relief and Mood Supporter

Laughter - watch a comedy, enjoy time with friends and family. I laugh all the time, it's the first thing my Mum noticed was wrong when my first marriage was going south: I didn't laugh as much, but now I'm my bubbly self again unless the symptom flare-up gets too bad, but I'll tell you more about that in another article.
Essential Oils - take a bath with a few drops of essential oils added, and relax for a while.
Exercise - again, only do as much, or little, as you can manage.
Dark chocolate - no harm spoiling yourself once in a while but don't go overboard eating too much. Unfortunately, I can't eat any as chocolate gives me migraines, but I make up for it with laughter!
Yoga and meditation - yoga is very relaxing, as is meditation.

Self Healing

So by doing these 20 simple day-to-day activities, you can easily boost your happy chemicals to assist your healing process, as they will help suppress the negative chemicals, giving you more energy and a better mood in which to heal.

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