HARMONYfor adults have mystified some and satisfied many. At first glance they
seem silly; why do adults need coloring books? But they have the ability
to relieve stress by providing an escape from the imbalanced, dopami-
nergic world. Coloring books for adults feature beautiful, abstract geo-
metric patterns—dopaminergic abstractions combined with sensory
experience.
Children also need to work with their hands. In 2015, Time maga-
zine published an article titled “Why Schools Need to Bring Back Shop
Class.” Working with drills and rip saws, surrounded by the aroma of
fresh sawdust, is a welcome break from the intellectual rigors of aca-
demic classes. Sanding a piece of wood until it’s “as smooth as a baby’s
bottom,” as one shop teacher put it, is a joy that few people experience
these days. And the birdhouse that comes into being at the end of it
all—it’s a small miracle. Dwelling on it is an oasis of peace where the
mind can say, I made that.
Many people grew up in a home where their father had a work-
bench in the garage. They’re less common today, but fixing things is a
unique pleasure. Each project is a problem that needs to be solved—a
dopaminergic activity—and then the solution is made real. Sometimes
solving repair problems requires creativity because the necessary tools
or supplies aren’t available. For example, figuring out that a nail clip-
per can be used as a wire cutter. Fixing things also boosts self-efficacy
and increases one’s sense of control: H&N delivering dopaminergic
gratification.
Cooking, gardening, and playing sports are among many activities
that combine intellectual stimulation with physical activity in a way that
will satisfy us and make us whole. These activities can be pursued for
a lifetime without becoming stale. You might get a few weeks of dopa-
minergic thrills by buying an expensive Swiss timepiece, but after that
it’s just a watch. Getting promoted to district manager makes going
to work exciting at first, but eventually it becomes the same old grind.
Creativity is different because it stirs together H&N with dopamine.
It’s like mixing little bit of carbon with iron to make steel. The result
is stronger and more durable. That’s what happens to dopaminergic
pleasure when you add physical H&N.