Happiness lies in the little things. A simple sunset where the sky turns purple with a cold beer in hand gives me more endorphins than any luxury hotel. That is not unique, more people have this. Sometimes we seem to forget that nature has already built the feeling of happiness into our own body...
The sun's rays provide vitamin D and color in our lives (in a literal sense). Color and vitamin D in turn provide a boost of endorphins in your brain. The extra endorphins make you feel happy. Not a vague story, it is simply how our body works.
Also read: What does long-term travel do to your mental health?
Endorphins are the most important hormone that causes a feeling of happiness. Endorphins have the property that pain and stress are suppressed so that there is more room for a happy feeling. It can also cause you to experience a feeling of love and peace.
With a lack of endorphins, it is not surprising that so many people in the Netherlands suffer from winter depression.
From October to the end of March we hardly see any sunlight in the Netherlands and the color palette in our lives is mainly gray and brown. The feeling of happiness is missing. No leaves in the trees, no colorful flowers, no green grasses, no colored orange, blue or purple sky. For almost 6 months you fight against an endorphin deficiency.
How do you break this?
By traveling in the winter of course! ❤️
Also read: Personal development | 7 ways traveling makes you grow
