It is globally accepted that our mind’s health depends both on our biology and genetics and on other environmental factors. In particular: lifestyle habits and routine behaviors, the level of self-esteem or childhood experiences; the social environment, family relationships and those with friends; the environment where we live; the working conditions and factors psychosocial aspects connected to it and the satisfaction from the economic point of view.
If it’s true that we can’t do something for the genetics right now, it is equally true that we can do something to change our habits, to improve our mind’s health.
The Positive Psychology
It is pretty new, as it is first appeared in 1998, but the Positive Psychology (PP) is nowadays a science. The commonly accepted definition of the field is this: “Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most worth living” (Peterson, 2008).
PP is a scientific approach studying human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, with a focus on strengths instead of weaknesses, building the good in life instead of repairing the bad, and taking the lives of average people up to “great” instead of focusing solely on moving those who are struggling up to “normal” (Peterson, 2008).
PP focuses on exploration and on the expansion of what makes life meaningful, productive and fulfilling, in all its complexity.
Scientific studies demonstrated that focus on happiness improves life in all its aspects and distances depression.
Seven pillars to train your happiness muscle
Is it possible to train our brain to achieve happiness? The science says yes. The best training includes some unavoidable pillars:
- Generate positive emotions: every day take time for a coffee, sunbathe, smile, laugh. In the short term we will be more relaxed. This is because dopamine and serotonin are secreted. In the long period a sense of self-confidence is developed, we are more receptive to new information and better at solve problems, we have an attitude more open and trusting towards others of others.
- Be constructive: our qualities are not static; intelligence can always grow, the goal is to focus on what you learn every time you try something new. Be concentrated on progresses.
- Be aware: point the attention on experiences without judgments, without expectations. If we focus on the experience, for example, on the breath, we will be able to inhibit further elaborations. As the practice of mindfulness teach, if we are present here and now, without overthinking, what it’s not necessary will go.
- Built your resilience: resilient people achieve one’s potential despite adversity, or even thanks to it, and they tend to see challenges as opportunities of growth. How? Breath deeply, go for a walk, put some order on your desk. All these actions are reactions to a problem and they don’t permit to emotions to dictate maladaptive behaviors.
- Be optimistic: wait for the best. Optimism maintains you motivated. Find something that reminds you your dedication and work for it.
- Be grateful: gratitude is beneficial when you are aware of it, and it goes through two phases: first, recognition of the good received and of its cost (the effort it required); second, the recognition that the source of this good is outside of ourselves, whether it is another person, or also life itself. Many scientific studies show that gratitude is a powerful antidote against negative thoughts and depression. You can have a “gratitude diary” or something similar.
- Find your strong points: they increase our self-esteem, and we are more involved in relationships. Combining our strengths with those of others it is possible to build lasting relationships.
These are seven keys to live a life full of meaning, searching for pleasures, but also the research of the dedication and of the meaning are perfect helpers of a well-balanced life.
Try all these pillars has no cost. Have a good life!
References:
The Benefits of Frequent Positive Affect: Does Happiness Lead To Success? – Lyubomirsky S.; King L., Diener E. – «Psychological Bulletin», 2005
Trovare il giusto equilibrio – Palazzolo J. – Mind, March 2023
