The new ranking showed the cities where it is easier to have a good mood. The biggest injection of dopamine, the so-called happy hormone, should be provided by a trip to Split. The Croatian city stood out for its sunny weather, good air quality, solid food establishments and plenty of places to stroll.
The ranking of the cities that improve the mood the most – stimulating the release of dopamine – was created by the initiative of Scenic Cruises. The list was developed in collaboration with clinical psychologist Dr. Gurpreet Kaur.
The criteria considered were the amount of sunlight, air quality, size of green spaces, availability of hiking trails and quality of local cuisine.
These cities should bring the most happiness
– Exposure to the sun naturally increases dopamine levels, while high-quality foods provide essential nutrition and pleasure. In turn, walking helps reduce cortisol levels and air quality improves brain function, Dr Kaur said in a statement quoted by the Daily Express.
He added: “Research has also shown that being surrounded by greenery encourages mindfulness, which helps increase dopamine levels. Together, these elements create spaces that improve your mood.
Split, Croatia David Ionut/Shutterstock
Distribution is at the top of the list
The place that performed best in the ranking, which means that it can have a high index in each of the mentioned categories, is Split. It is the largest city on the Adriatic coast of Croatia.
A city in the center of which is Diocletian's Palace – the imperial residence since Roman times. There are an average of 2,631 hours of sunshine per year. The green oasis of Split is the Coral Park, which is located on a hill, covered with a pine forest, and offers a wonderful view of the city.
Split, CroatiaDragoncello/Shutterstock
Amsterdam (Netherlands) took the second place in the list. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, was also on the podium. It was followed by New Orleans (USA), Lisbon (Portugal), Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Liverpool (Great Britain), Vancouver (Canada) and Oslo (Norway).
Main image credit: Dragoncello / Shutterstock
