For many years, I felt apathetic about life. Struggled for enjoyment. Existed but as a spectator of life, not a participant. Just "meh". Sound familiar?

Typically this would be classed as mild depression. Only I wasn't "sad" and I didn't have any history associated with mental health issues. It wasn't depression in the classic sense. It was an addiction.

Let me be clear. There are many people who struggle with mental health and need qualified, experienced help.

However, I propose that many of us are suffering from an entirely fixable condition.

You are addicted to quick-fix Dopamine

Dopamine is the pleasure neurotransmitter. The chemical that gives you a burst of pleasure both before and during a rewarding activity. It motivates us to seek rewarding activities again and again.

The problem isn't Dopamine. It has kept humans alive for millennia by ensuring we seek food, warmth, sex and safety. It's critical to survival.

The problem is two-fold:

1. Quick-fix Dopamine from low-value activities: instant and free access to scrolling, alcohol, drugs, pornography means that we are training our brains to seek low-value activities.

2. Constant Dopamine load: constant access is like always operating with the foot on the 'gas'. Eventually, sensitivity to Dopamine-inducing activities is reduced, making good things feel more "meh".

"Please step away from the phone"

If you are struggling for interest or motivation, review how much time you are spending on screens (laptops, TV, phones, tablets). How can you cut this significantly over the next 7 days?

Over 7 days, you will start to feel your brain resetting. Like cutting sugar from your diet, you will feel cravings. But if you stay strong and cut your time significantly, you will start to feel more. More motivation. More excitement. More presence.

Reset your relationship with Dopamine

Addiction to cheap Dopamine is fixable and will improve how you experience life. By resetting your Dopamine relationship, you will improve your motivation, drive and sensitivity to pleasure.

Here are some methods that can help you improve your Dopamine set point longer-term:

• Reduce screen time and scrolling

• Cold-water exposure

• Reduce caffeine intake

• Intermittent Fasting

Next time you feel unmotivated or feel apathetic, instead of beating yourself up or assuming you are just born this way, try working on the methods above.

And be patient. This one thing could change your life.