I’ve often shared the link between emotions and our health. Recently we’ve been reading Dr Caroline Leaf’s book on think, learn, succeed. Dr Leaf has an amazing understanding of how our brain functions and how to reprogram it to accomplish the changes we desire.
In chapter seven she discusses the happiness mindset. Most of us see happiness as an emotion we experience as a result of good things in our life like finances, health, relationships, etc. She notes that happiness has more to do with a sense of inner satisfaction rather than external consumption. The joy of having a meaningful good life which revolves around your ability to focus on the positive, to connect with others, and to have meaningful relationships in a community. Happiness is knowing where you belong and knowing why you’re alive, regardless of your circumstances.
She notes that happiness precedes success. Working harder and achieving a goal doesn’t automatically make you happier. Studies showed a strong casual relationship between happiness and satisfaction and successful business and life outcomes. The satisfaction that comes from being truly happy plays a vital role in success.
Every time you achieve success, your brain changes what success means to you, transforming with every experience, moment by moment, every day.
Happiness isn’t defined as a smooth and uncomplicated life! If that were the case, no one could be happy. Challenges always bring out the best in us. Overcoming a challenge brings out a sense of happiness in the achievement and sets the stage for the next challenge with the addition of the new skills you’ve gained going through the challenge.
Your brain works significantly better when you choose to feel happy in the midst of a challenge. Ask yourself this; “Do I want to give energy to the toxic situation by getting all worked up and not letting it go, or do I want to move all my mental energy onto a positive outcome that keeps my happiness meter up?
Happiness sometimes seems easier for some than others. It’s really about how we’re wired. This relates much to how we were raised. We can work on rewiring our brain to a new level. This can be accomplished in one way by writing down three things you’re grateful for every day for 21 days in a row. This can significantly increase optimism levels, and holds for the next six months. To increase this more, do three consecutive 21 day cycles, or 63 days. This greatly increases the outcome.
Laughter and play are wonderful ways to reduce toxic stress and increase happiness. When we play, we stretch our emotional and expressive ranges. Laughter can be regarded as internal jogging, and it increases the flow of peptide and quantum energy in our brains and bodies.
Laughter has been known as the best medicine. It releases a flood of chemicals which boost the immune system, while reducing levels of stress hormones. A really good belly laugh can reduce cortisol levels by 39% and adrenalin by 70%. At the same time, it can increase endorphins (feel good hormones) by 29%. It can even increase growth hormones by 87%. Other research has shown that laughter can boost your immune system by increasing levels of gamma interferon.
Cloistering one’s self away from others can stifle the benefits of laughter. Robert Provine has shown that “laughter is the archetypical human social signal and is all about relationships.” His research showed that people laughed thirty times more when they are around other people than when they’re alone. This shows the entanglement we have in each other’s lives.
I’ve seen so many peripheral diseases present in those dealing with PTSD, who don’t open themselves up to social interaction which could greatly heal the emotional injuries they’ve endured.
Happiness is a choice! Pushing through a challenge is critical to any success. John 16:33 we see where Jesus tells us that we will suffer persecution, but He doesn’t leave it there. He tells us to be of good cheer, or, in other words, be happy, because He’s already overcome the world.
It’s easy to be disillusioned in this present world, especially if you spend any time listening to the news. To some extent, the news is directed toward creating more turmoil, and is responsible for creating and maintaining much of the illness we see today. Unfortunately, the FDA and the Pharmaceutical companies are making bank on your lack of joy.
Become proactive in where you invest your energy. Remember, where you invest is where you receive return. If you continue to focus on your lack, it will grow. Take time every day to make the list of those things you’re thankful for. It was after Jesus gave thanks for the two fish and five barley loaves that God multiplied them. Learn to get a healthy return on your happiness.
In chapter seven she discusses the happiness mindset. Most of us see happiness as an emotion we experience as a result of good things in our life like finances, health, relationships, etc. She notes that happiness has more to do with a sense of inner satisfaction rather than external consumption. The joy of having a meaningful good life which revolves around your ability to focus on the positive, to connect with others, and to have meaningful relationships in a community. Happiness is knowing where you belong and knowing why you’re alive, regardless of your circumstances.
She notes that happiness precedes success. Working harder and achieving a goal doesn’t automatically make you happier. Studies showed a strong casual relationship between happiness and satisfaction and successful business and life outcomes. The satisfaction that comes from being truly happy plays a vital role in success.
Every time you achieve success, your brain changes what success means to you, transforming with every experience, moment by moment, every day.
Happiness isn’t defined as a smooth and uncomplicated life! If that were the case, no one could be happy. Challenges always bring out the best in us. Overcoming a challenge brings out a sense of happiness in the achievement and sets the stage for the next challenge with the addition of the new skills you’ve gained going through the challenge.
Your brain works significantly better when you choose to feel happy in the midst of a challenge. Ask yourself this; “Do I want to give energy to the toxic situation by getting all worked up and not letting it go, or do I want to move all my mental energy onto a positive outcome that keeps my happiness meter up?
Happiness sometimes seems easier for some than others. It’s really about how we’re wired. This relates much to how we were raised. We can work on rewiring our brain to a new level. This can be accomplished in one way by writing down three things you’re grateful for every day for 21 days in a row. This can significantly increase optimism levels, and holds for the next six months. To increase this more, do three consecutive 21 day cycles, or 63 days. This greatly increases the outcome.
Laughter and play are wonderful ways to reduce toxic stress and increase happiness. When we play, we stretch our emotional and expressive ranges. Laughter can be regarded as internal jogging, and it increases the flow of peptide and quantum energy in our brains and bodies.
Laughter has been known as the best medicine. It releases a flood of chemicals which boost the immune system, while reducing levels of stress hormones. A really good belly laugh can reduce cortisol levels by 39% and adrenalin by 70%. At the same time, it can increase endorphins (feel good hormones) by 29%. It can even increase growth hormones by 87%. Other research has shown that laughter can boost your immune system by increasing levels of gamma interferon.
Cloistering one’s self away from others can stifle the benefits of laughter. Robert Provine has shown that “laughter is the archetypical human social signal and is all about relationships.” His research showed that people laughed thirty times more when they are around other people than when they’re alone. This shows the entanglement we have in each other’s lives.
I’ve seen so many peripheral diseases present in those dealing with PTSD, who don’t open themselves up to social interaction which could greatly heal the emotional injuries they’ve endured.
Happiness is a choice! Pushing through a challenge is critical to any success. John 16:33 we see where Jesus tells us that we will suffer persecution, but He doesn’t leave it there. He tells us to be of good cheer, or, in other words, be happy, because He’s already overcome the world.
It’s easy to be disillusioned in this present world, especially if you spend any time listening to the news. To some extent, the news is directed toward creating more turmoil, and is responsible for creating and maintaining much of the illness we see today. Unfortunately, the FDA and the Pharmaceutical companies are making bank on your lack of joy.
Become proactive in where you invest your energy. Remember, where you invest is where you receive return. If you continue to focus on your lack, it will grow. Take time every day to make the list of those things you’re thankful for. It was after Jesus gave thanks for the two fish and five barley loaves that God multiplied them. Learn to get a healthy return on your happiness.
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