Dopamine signals the brain to want more of what is being done. Fast dopamine comes from quick, easily accessible rewards such as scrolling, snacking even when not hungry, or making impulsive purchases. Slow dopamine requires effort and time, such as taking a walk or playing a board game. Relying on fast dopamine triggers can lead to feeling fatigued and unfulfilled even after dopamine hits. Slow dopamine triggers are presented as a way to get enough motivation and better emotional steadiness, especially for people managing many daily demands. Identifying personal slow dopamine triggers helps balance reward sources and sustain drive.
"Dopamine, the feel-good motivating neurotransmitter, is more than just a hot buzzword - it's meant to signal to our brain that whatever it is we're doing, we want more of it. Dopamine hit when you deep-clean your bedroom and decide you want to tackle the bathroom next? Good! Dopamine hit when you cross something off your to-do list and suddenly want to do it all? Excellent! Dopamine hit when you're scrolling your phone and now you're three hours deep into Instagram? Oh no, we went too far."
"The thing about dopamine is that there is fast dopamine and slow dopamine. For everyone, but especially us moms with a million things happening all the time, knowing the difference and making sure we get the right amounts of dopamine is imperative. I've found myself, despite getting dopamine hits from things like being on my phone or eating a ton of sugary foods, still feeling just as blah and fatigued and icky as I did before the dopamine hits... and that's because I'm often choosing "fast" dopamine triggers instead of "slow" dopamine triggers."
""The way I describe it to clients is the fast dopamine hit is the quick hit that is super accessible," says licensed marriage and family therapist Ilana Grines. "This looks like scrolling through your preferred platform, the quick snack from the pantry - even though you may not be hungry - or pressing purchase on the online cart for something you may not really need.""
""But slow dopamine, Grines says, "takes a little effort and a little time." This could be taking a walk, playing a board game with your kids, or even"
Read at Scary Mommy
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