SURPRISE YOURSELF
Experience Something New
BY:MARY ELIZABETH TERZELLA
A caregiver’s life can seem an endless routine of giving meds, making meals and going to see doctors. Such a predictable pattern to your days can be tedious—and stressful.
Being understimulated can be as stressful as being overloaded, says Gregory Berns, MD, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University in Atlanta. “Our brains crave novelty and challenge,” he explains. “Unexpected pleasure is even more rewarding than anticipated delight.”
Dr. Berns’ studies show that experiencing something new stimulates the brain’s pleasure centers, triggering the release of dopamine, a mood-lifting neurotransmitter. But you don’t have to go to Tahiti or try scuba diving to inject novelty into your life, says Dr. Berns, author of Satisfaction: The Science of Finding True Fulfillment. You can break out of a rut simply by exploring an unfamiliar neighborhood or trying an exotic cuisine. The surprise of finding an historic house nearby or discovering that sushi is scrumptious can pump up your dopamine—and perk up your day.