Happiness is not a goal but a state of mind, wellness experts regularly claim. However, happiness is also the product of a purely physiological process, explains the University of Florida neuroscientist, Teresa Aubele, in his book “ Train Your Brain to Get Happy: The Simple Program That Primes Your Gray Cells for Joy, Optimism, and Serenity », written in collaboration with the psychologist Stan Wenck. The starting point of the research of these two experts is on the same line as neuroplasticity theory thinkers such as Richard J. Davidson. According to Aubele, if you program your neurons to be more receptive to happiness, sooner or later you will be able to move away from sadness for good. On the contrary, if our behavior causes our gray matter to interpret our daily life in a negative way, it will be impossible for us to enjoy the moments experienced.
The daily The Confidential offers a summary of the six chapters of this book:
✔. Learn to distinguish between "fight" and "flight" situations that create anxiety
One of the major problems of the human being in our time is that he finds himself in a perpetual situation of stress and anxiety. The multitude of stimuli that surround us demand that we be constantly prepared to face any eventuality: a sudden swerve of the wheel to avoid an accident or a quick answer on the telephone. The actions of fight or flight, specific to animals, constitute psychological responses which have an impact on the cerebral level and which generates an important hormonal reaction. The influx of information we face does not help our decision-making, explains Aubele, and prevents us from distinguishing between what is correct and what is inadequate. In order to avoid this type of situation, it is necessary to avoid the multitasking while setting priorities and better organizing our schedule. For example, avoid constantly checking your emails and learn to process important information, explains the researcher.
✔. Focus your gray matter on emotional well-being
Many studies have shown that the simple act of smiling promotes our well-being. “Your deepest thoughts will always have an impact on your outward behavior because self-generated changes in your existence are always preceded by changes in the way you think and the way you approach things,” Aubele explains. Negative thoughts have an influence on your interactions with others, on your ability to perceive, on your memory and on your ability to create new neural connections. On the contrary, if we are able to focus on the positive and see the future, not as a source of problems but rather as a large list of eventualities, we will not only be happier but also more productive and responsive.
✔. Do activities that flood your brain with dopamine and serotonin, the neurotransmitters of happiness
Dopamine, a substance released by the brain, is directly linked to motivation, pleasure and cognition. Falling in love, making love, carrying out an activity that generates pleasure, eating properly or even exercising are activities that promote the production of these “happiness molecules”. The problem with dopamine and serotonin is that, like drugs, they are highly addictive and their production decreases over time. Thus, some studies have shown that their production decreases over time. For example, after a romantic relationship of four years, the brain stops producing these molecules, which would explain the drop in intensity of certain couple relationships.
✔. Think about satisfying your brain's appetite through exercise
As explained above, a healthy diet and sports practice significantly affect our body. Exercising frequently stimulates the blood circulation of the brain making it "younger, better nourished, receptive, flexible and perfectly refined" and improves self-esteem.
✔. Improve your diet
The majority of diets are carried out with the objective of losing weight but rarely focus on well-being. However, there is a direct relationship between our moods and what we ingest. In the 80s, a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology showed that "a handful of cherries is better than any antidepressant food" or that "eating a banana a day promotes good mood, underlines the nutritionist Miguel Angel Almodovar, author of " MoodFood. The food of happiness ". Almodovar offers a short list of foods that generate well-being: fish for its omega 3 type fatty acids, dates, dried fruits, bananas for tryptophan, cocoa, guarana, matte grass for the theobromine and vitamins B and C.
✔. Train your brain to build new paths to serenity
In a final point, Teresa Aubele recommends the practice of meditation considered as a tool to improve our well-being. A high level of meditation helps to form better empathy and more awareness. "Sit in a peaceful place, close our eyes and focus our memory on one of our most joyful moments can help us improve our neural connections", concludes the author.
source: Express.be
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