SURPRISES – No matter who we are, it’s hard to deny how much we love them. Whether we are surprised by an unexpected gift or by opening a mystery box, surprises make us feel good. But what happens in our brains when we feel these emotions, and what are the best ways to surprise ourselves?

Dopamine

The main reason for the feel-good sensation that floods us when we experience a positive surprise is the release of dopamine in our brains. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that works within the brain’s reward system, and when we are surprised (by something good) dopamine makes us feel good.

Interestingly, we can also get hooked on the release of dopamine, which explains why we might seek out more surprises to feel that way again. Usually, this is harmless and explains a lot of goal-driven behavior (such as studying for a test to experience the rush of having passed). Still, it can also be the lead cause of substance abuse, as we chase the release of dopamine that happens when we use said substance.

How to Surprise Ourselves

Being surprised by family or friends is always fun, however, we shouldn’t need to rely on others to feel the thrill of a surprise. Here are a few ways you can safely enjoy the release of dopamine by surprising yourself.

Mystery Boxes

A mystery box can come in many forms, but one of the most popular are technology-themed boxes. With many of these boxes, we know that we will be getting good value for our money, and we can often pick categories that we want our surprises to fall into, but this is all we know. The thrill comes when we open the box and see for ourselves what we have received. We can then begin planning how we can use it.

Purchasing a mystery box is a great way to treat yourself, and within our brains, it mimics the same feeling as having received a gift from a friend.

Say ‘Yes’ to Life

Of course, we don’t mean to say ‘yes’ to everything, doing so could lead to some rather unpleasant surprises. However, being able to say yes when life presents activities and scenarios we would usually say no to is a great way to surprise ourselves. Have you seen an advert for a sky-diving session? Say yes. Are your work friends putting together a staff bowling event? Say yes.

Stepping out of our comfort zones is one of the best ways to experience the positive effects of surprises and you may find a new hobby while you’re at it.

Learn a New Skill

Experiencing a surprise often comes from when we experience the unexpected and enjoy it. One of the best ways to do so is to fully commit ourselves to a new skill. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, learning a new language, or experimenting with cooking food from different cultures. The moment you see that you’re making progress and you’re dedication is paying off, you’ll be pleasantly surprised and will feel that same flood of dopamine.