The
key to happiness : Train your mind
There are many things in our life we want to have to be happy. We
chase: success, wealth, fame, power, good looks, romantic love. But do
we really become happy ?
The research says no, at least when it comes to long-term
happiness. A prestigious award, a big raise, an exciting new relationship, a
fancy new car, losing weight, these things can make us feel great at first, but
the thrill doesn’t last very long. Human beings are quick to adapt to new
circumstances—a quality that has helped us survive and thrive. But it also
means that the positive things that initially make us happier soon become our
new normal and we return to our old happiness baseline.,
However, researchers in the field of positive psychology
have found that you can genuinely increase your happiness and overall
satisfaction with life We need to change our attitude because this we can do , we cannot change
circumstances or external environment
Lets work upon one of
the key factors that makes us happy i. e. train your brain to be more
positive in life
Train your brain to be more positive
Our brains are wired to notice and remember the things
that are wrong. It’s a survival mechanism that helped keep our cave-dwelling
ancestors safe in a world where there were many physical threats. But in
today’s comparatively safe world, this biological predisposition to focus on
the negative contributes to stress and unhappiness.
While we can’t change our nature, we can train our brains
to be more positive. This doesn’t mean putting on a smiley face and whistling a
happy tune no matter what’s going on. You don’t have to ignore reality or
pretend things are wonderful even when they’re not. But just as dwelling on
negative things fuels unhappiness (and plays a big role in depression and
anxiety), choosing to notice, appreciate, and anticipate goodness is a powerful
happiness booster.
Express
gratitude
Teaching yourself to become more grateful can make a huge
difference in your overall happiness. The research shows that gratitude helps
you experience more positive emotions, decrease depression, feel better about
yourself, improve your relationships, and strengthen your immune system. A
recent study revealed that gratitude even makes you smarter about how you spend
your money.
There are a number of simple exercises you can practice
to increase and cultivate an attitude of gratitude.
Give
sincere thanks to others. When someone goes above and beyond or
does something to make your day easier, be quick to verbalize your thanks and
appreciation. Not only will it make the person feel good, it will give you a
happiness lift, too. It’s an instant reward to see how expressing gratitude
makes a positive difference in someone else’s day. It makes you realize that
we’re all connected and that what you do matters.
Keep
a gratitude journal. It may sound cheesy, but writing down the
good things that happened to you during the day really works. Research shows
that keeping a gratitude journal is a powerful technique that instantly makes
you feel happier, more connected to others, and genuinely appreciative.
Count
your blessings. Make it a habit to regularly reflect on the
things you have to be thankful for. Bring to mind all the good people,
experiences, and things in your life, both now and in the past. Focus on the
blessings both big and small, from the people who love you, to the roof over
your head and the food on your table. You will soon see it’s a pretty long
list.
Write
a letter of gratitude. Think of someone who did something that
changed your life for the better who you never properly thanked. Write a
thoughtful letter of gratitude expressing what the person did, how it affected
you, and what it still means to you. Then deliver the letter. Positive
psychology expert Martin Seligman recommends reading the letter in person for
the most dramatic increase in happiness.
Find
the positive in a negative event from your past.
Even the most painful circumstances can teach us positive lessons. Revaluate a
negative event from your past with an eye for what you learned or how you
became stronger, wiser, or more compassionate. When you can find meaning in
even the bad things you’ve experienced, you will be happier and more grateful.
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