How To Get Happy...Scientifically Speaking
Happiness is serious stuff these days, with social scientists studying what it is, exploring how it boosts our health, and how we can get more of it. Dr. Fredrickson’s research explores how positive emotions evolved from our human ancestors and how happiness—which she defines as “frequent, recurring experiences of uplift”—can be actively cultivated. “One of the biggest misperceptions about happiness is that it’s a state you enter into and then don’t leave,” Fredrickson says. “But all emotions are transitory. The key is understanding that happiness is fleeting. It comes and it goes.” Here are five ways to ensure it comes more often:
1. Prioritize “uplift” : You know what makes you feel good: working out, calling a friend who’s super positive, engaging in a hobby. The problem is giving yourself permission to do those things when you feel like you should be ticking off items on your to-do list.2. Know the difference between pleasure and happiness : Experiences without a meaning won’t make you truly happy. So eating a slice of delicious chocolate cake might give you pleasure, but it’s not especially meaningful. On the other hand, making a chocolate cake for your best friend (and maybe sneaking a slice or two) = happiness.
3. Learn what won’t make you happy :External occurrences don’t lead to real joy, so getting a promotion or a fancy new handbag or even a lottery ticket windfall won’t really have the effect on your happiness you might think. Positivity is more of a personal, internal thing.
4. Reflect on your connections :It doesn’t have to be anything formal or fancy, like journaling—just take a few minutes during the day to think about the interactions you’ve had with others. The simple act of remembering increases positive emotions, and even boosted heart health.
5. Get outside : You should spend 20 minutes outside, preferably in pleasant weather. And no, looking out a window doesn’t cut it.
"Live Long and Prosper"
10 Ways To Be A Better You
1. Stretch! Morning is best for an energizing yoga-based workout that
includes forward bends, reaching for the ceiling and push-ups. Devote seven minutes to yoga every morning. It helps focus the mind and
provides an adrenaline boost.
2. Take 10,000 steps. Walking elevates your mood, challenges your heart (the best
way to keep it fit) and can even help reduce food cravings. Wear a pedometer
and strive to take at least 10,000 steps a day, including one brisk 30-minute
walk or three 10-minute walks.
3. Floss. Taking care of your teeth and gums is not only good for your
mouth: Unloved gums can spread bacteria to the bloodstream and lead to
inflammation and heart disease. Don't leave the house in the morning
without flossing. Use a sonic toothbrush—they do make a
difference.
4. Not a fish fan? Get omega-3s from
plants. The fatty acids found in cold-water
fish like salmon, mackerel and herring help maintain optimal levels of HDL
(good) cholesterol, and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. But if you're not a fish
eater, pop an algae-based omega-3 supplement that contains the same omegas as
fish oil.
5. Drink filtered tap water.Many people get thirst and hunger confused, causing them to
snack when they're thirsty. The solution: Drink cold water—it quenches thirst,
helps you feel full and keeps your body operating at full capacity.
6. Break your multivitamin in half. To get a steady supply of vitamins and minerals all day,
take one-half of a multivitamin with breakfast and the other with dinner. Don't
take them right before bed—the B vitamins can disrupt your sleep. If your
multivitamin has less than 1,000 IU of vitamin D, take a D supplement as
well—and read the label carefully to make sure it's D3, the most easily
absorbed form.
7. Kick the sugar habit. White sugar and high-fructose corn syrup have almost no
nutritional value, and over-consuming them increases your risk of obesity,
heart disease and even depression. Carry apples, carrots and nuts with you so
you're prepared when snack cravings strike. Skip energy bars and drinks—they
don't provide the same sustained energy that fresh whole foods do.
8. Make television work for you. If you're going to flip on the TV, you should exercise while
you watch. Walk on a treadmill while enjoying a TV show, but
working out with light (three-pound) dumbbells or even walking in place is
better than simply sitting.
9. Take a nap. Getting less than seven hours' sleep at night triggers
higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to weight gain and
depression. No time for that? You can get to sleep more easily at night by turning off
the TV and computer at least an hour before bedtime—their bright lights can
fool your body into staying awake.
10. Do Good! "One of the best ways to fight stress in your life is
to do something good for someone else—an act of love or generosity."
Contributing source: Dr. Oz!
