Family cookouts are one of the best things about summer! However, did you know that family cookouts can also increase our dopamine levels?
5 Ways Family Cookouts Can Increase Dopamine Levels
1. You’ll Get Some Sunshine
Getting some sunshine can help increase your dopamine levels.
Even if you’re under a little bit of shade, living in the Sun City and having a cookout is a sure way to get some sunshine and tire out the little ones!
P.S. Getting a good night’s rest after a fun family cookout can help increase dopamine levels too.
2. You’ll Most Likely Eat Some Tyrosine-Rich Foods
Studies have shown that eating tyrosine-rich foods can help give our bodies the nutrients it needs to increase our dopamine levels.
Therefore, grilling chicken and meat is not only tasty, but it’s beneficial! Because chicken and lean meat contain tyrosine!
Here is a list below of more tyrosine-rich foods you can find at family cookouts:
- Lean Meat
- Chicken
- Fish
- Fruits
- Green Leafy Vegetables
- Avocados
- Nuts
- Cheese
- Beans and Lentils
- Dark Chocolate
3. You’ll Get Some Exercise
Notably, when we exercise, we are naturally increasing our dopamine levels. Here’s some exercise that commonly takes place during family cookouts:
- Playing catch in the backyard
- Playing an outdoor sport
- Dancing
- Kids chasing each other around
- Swimming
4. You’ll Listen to Music
Music can boost the brain’s production of dopamine.
It’s no wonder why it’s sometimes easy to get carried away with music at family cookouts.
But I’ll admit that sometimes hearing our neighbors blast their music during their family cookouts can be a little jarring. At least they’re increasing their dopamine levels too.
5. We Activate Our Rewards System
When experiencing something rewarding, dopamine is activated in our brains! For example, hearing compliments like: “Your food tastes so good!”
By hearing compliments like this, we feel a sense of accomplishment. It feels like a reward and a big thanks for working hard and making some tasty food! A job well done.
Next time you’re at a cookout, just look at the smile on your family members’ faces. Pretty sweet right?
Cheers to more family cookouts, increasing our dopamine levels, and having some special quality time together this summer!
For more family fun, check out these links below:
16 Summer Boredom Busters: Family-Fun at Home
The Great Big El Paso Summer Bucket List :: 100+ Summer Fun Ideas
A Moms Guide to Visiting Wet N Wild Waterworld
Originally published June 2022.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of El Paso Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
