Why we need interaction with other people
My whole life, I have often felt like the odd one out. I never know exactly where to fit in.
I am a listener
I often just listen when people talk. I listen to their conversations and sometimes I am just utterly amazed at the amount of crap that comes out of some people's mouths! I will only take part in a discussion if I know something about the topic, as I am rather shy, and one of my biggest fears is to ridicule myself in front of others.
I work online from home, so in the last few years I have distracted myself a bit from society, but I am quite happy to stay at home and NOT interact with people. I prefer online friendships, and I do enjoy my own company.
If I do go out, I've taught myself to be rather observant and quiet rather than to say something irrelevant or say something that could turn my fear into a reality.
Is this a healthy situation?
No, I believe that this is not very healthy. It doesn't make me unhappy, but as humans we are social beings that actually need each other. Face to face communication is necessary for our survival. We need limbic resonance.
What is limbic resonance?
Limbic resonance is an exchange that takes place between two people in a social relationship. This interaction stimulates the release of Dopamine in the limbic region of the brain. Dopamine is necessary to balance our brains. Without limbic resonance, we tend to function less and our emotions and physical well-being can start to play roller-coaster. In the end isolation is not good for us. We need each other. We need interaction with people because without communication and stimulation we might get depressed and unhealthy. This makes total sense to me, but instead of going out and just frustrating myself, I try to find other ways to stimulate my Dopamine release.
Let us first look at how this works:
If you look at the above picture, you will see what each of these neurotransmitters do. We need to balance out the Dopamine and the Serotonin levels to lead a healthy life and to have an optimal mood as well as cognitive function.
These two brain chemicals play an important part in our lives. High Dopamine levels could trigger you to eat more, while high Serotonin levels could diminish your appetite.
How to improve Dopamine production naturally?
Dopamine is made from amino acid tyrosine. Foods high in natural probiotics such as yogurt, kefir, and raw sauerkraut can also increase natural dopamine production.
How to improve Serotonin production naturally?
- Take in a lot of Vitamin B6. Foods like Spinach, garlic, cauliflower, celery, and fish (especially tuna) If you eat this for dinner you will also get a good night's sleep.
- Get enough exercise.
- Try and reduce stress in your life.
- Cut out sugar!
Once you balance out these two you will surely feel happier and more relaxed about life. Then you won't care to be the red apple in between all the other green apples!
Life is all about balance. Don't work too much, don't eat too much and don't drink too much. Moderation is the key to a healthy and happy life!
I figure I am a listener too! I guess I could do with more Serotonin :)
Sounds like you and I have similar personalities. I'm typically quiet until I get acclimated and feel the conversation topic is something I can contribute to. I actually do pretty well in seclusion. I imagine pre-husband and kid I could have gotten stranded on a deserted island and been perfectly happy. With the man and kid around I've gotten quite attached to human interaction. My kid is so darn adorable I want her around all the time.
Hey rabbit! I'm with you on the deserted island. I'm very content here in my little world and I have enough communication with people at work that it satisfies my need for any conversations. What kind of job does your husband do?
Right now my husband is doing coursework for his doctorate in Political Science with similar goals as me of teaching or working for a university. He's a few years behind me. While he's in classes he's works on the side driving for Uber.
This is a great post, and you are right. We do need people, we need people to listen to us and we need to listen to them, we need to constantly create connections, it's a part of our DNA.
Listening is a great skill to have though, most people don't listen enough. The ability to hear someone speak is an art that many people either don't figure out at all or take a very long time to do so. People feel more comfortable around those that listen to what they have to say!
But I wouldn't be scared to speak up either, this post alone tells me that you have plenty to say and it is all interesting! :) You have the hardest piece of the puzzle down (the listening part), you are interesting and people want hear what you have to say! So there is no doubt in my mind that the second part of the puzzle (The sharing) can also come with time! :)
Until then I love these other ways that you found other ways to stimulate your dopamine release!
Yes, I have a same feeling about socializing. Your advise very good about rising your dopamine level with food :) Much easier. Thanks for sharing.
Great post dear @gaintbear. I know a lot about serotonin but not a lot about dopamine. So I learned something, thank you Teacher! :-)
It's true that life is more about balance. Homeostasis is a key. Any slight imbalance in two opposing components in the body will produce a disorder. Every disease that happens in the body can be traced to imbalance. Even Hippocrates based his work on the balance between bile,phloem and blood. And he proposed that any imbalance between these will trigger a disease condition. The same thing applies to the levels of dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine works hand in hand with acetylcholine. Without acetylcholine, dopamine will be allowed to malfunction and produce a lot mental disorders.
The pathway for the production of these neurotransmitters are shown in the diagram below
This is very interesting, thank you for your thoughtful comment.
Welcome
You are totally right, interaction with others is necessary for our well being, even if we considered ourselves rather shy, we will always enjoy having a little bit of chat with people we trust.
Do you think increasing dopamine as you explained in the post will make the person feel the same? Because I believe either way we would always like to have a chat from time to time.
I'm not sure but I have had times where I did not have any urge to speak to other people but that is just me.
I used to be very similar to what you're describing above. I've had to change a little bit because I work at a restaurant now everyday. That means I have to interact with guests in such a way as to make them buy more things. Even though I am completely genuine in all my interactions I'm also particularly happy, smiley, and friendly.
Am I a friendly guy?
Yes I am.
However, given the choice I would work from home and never deal with guests again.
I love working from home! The flexibility to work whenever I want makes me less stressed. Thanks for always being a friendly guy!
Really,,eat before hungry and stop before full, because in a strong body there is a healthy soul.