Happiness is not the result of the life you create for yourself. That’s what the latest brain research concludes. In fact, happiness seems to be something close to exercise. This is a skill you can start, work on, and grow on your own.
Neurologists have discovered specific areas of the brain that produce feelings of well-being. One of these areas is mindfulness. When we hike mindfully, clearing our thoughts and focusing on the sounds, smells, and feel of the wind, we’re training our happiness muscles. When we focus solely on our bodies and not our thoughts in a yoga class, we become more joyful. A few minutes of meditating, praying, and breathing can help us stay happy, healthy, and solid.
For me, the most appealing aspect of this research is the word “exercise.” That means there is a beginner level. (And, as any experienced hiker or yogi knows, we all return to beginner trails and beginner poses again and again.) This also means that there is no ideal ending. means. We all know that exercising won’t give you a dream body like a Barbie doll, but it can give you a stronger and more elastic body. The same seems to be true of happiness. While we may not be able to achieve a glorious ideal happy life, it is very possible to train our minds to create a greater sense of well-being and emotional resilience.
There is a path, a journey, and a mindset of growth. I’m pretty happy with this new Happy.
Until next time,
Laura
Want to know more?
4 keys to health (Greater Good Science Center)
Train your mind to improve your happiness (Harvard University School of Health)
Is it better to give than to receive? How gratitude makes us happy (Yoga Trail Talk)
