Hardwiring Happiness: Check out this book's brain science to achieve contentment, calmness, and confidence!

Friday: Mindfulness by Miles FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Welcome to today’s edition of “Mindfulness by Miles!” I’m excited to share with you another interesting and insightful topic. Every Friday, I talk about different health and mindfulness tips with the hope that these will encourage you to enhance your overall well-being. … and today, I’ll discuss a few key insights from a particular book. Are you ready? Read on to know how you can “hardwire” happiness in your life. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

Hardwiring Happiness: Check out this book's brain science to achieve contentment, calmness, and confidence! Have you ever wondered if you could change the way your brain works? We’re talking to those of you who frequently overthink or are often stressed out by negative thoughts running in your mind. If this is you and you’ve ever wished you could be naturally happier, calmer, and more confident, you’re in for a treat! Dr. Rick Hanson, a psychologist, has a roadmap to your brain’s happiness highway in his book titled, “Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence.” Rewiring Your Brain for Bliss: Unpacking the Science of “Hardwiring Happiness” Picture this: Your brain is like a complex tangle of pathways, constantly firing off signals that shape your emotions, thoughts, and reactions. … but here’s the interesting part: You can actually mold these pathways to create a sunnier disposition! It's all about understanding the science of neuroplasticity and putting it to work for your mental well-being. Take a look at these concepts that Hanson discussed in his book… The Negativity Bias: Why Your Brain is a “Debbie Downer” [Debbie Downer: A slang term for someone who is constantly making others feel bad or dampening the mood of a group with negative comments.] Let’s talk about the brain’s natural tendency to lean towards the negative. Have you ever noticed that one criticism can overshadow a dozen compliments? That’s the brain’s negativity bias at work. According to Dr. Hanson, our ancestors’ survival instincts favored focusing on threats over rewards… and these instincts have been passed down to us. It’s like our brains are wired to be on the lookout for lions in a garden rather than smelling the roses in front of us. So… now that you know the brain is a bit of a worrywart, what can you do to rewire it for positivity? Dr. Hanson lays out a four-step process that goes by the catchy acronym HEAL: Have, Enrich, Absorb, and Link. Have: It all begins with having a positive experience, no matter how small. Did your morning coffee make you smile? Did a coworker compliment your work? Did you accomplish your tasks earlier than usual? These little moments are the building blocks of your brain’s happiness. Enrich: Spend a few extra seconds soaking in the good vibes; let them sink in. Picture yourself soaking up the sun on a bright beach day. The more you focus on the good stuff, the more it sticks around. Absorb: Imagine you’re a sponge absorbing all the positivity around you. Visualize that emotion flowing through your veins, infusing your cells with joy and tranquility. This will help you rewire your brain for bliss. Link: The magic trick is to connect this new positive experience with existing ones. Remember that time you aced a presentation? Now connect that triumph with the taste of your favorite ice cream. Your brain will start associating success with a delightful brain-freeze! At this point, you might be wondering how to make these practices stick. Here are 2 guidelines Dr. Hanson detailed in his book: Mindfulness and Meditation: Ah, the “heavyweights” of mental fitness! Dr. Hanson says these practices strengthen your brain’s happiness muscle, helping you better regulate your emotions and reduce stress. Engaging in such activities is like giving your brain a spa day, complete with soothing background music. Stronger and More Positive Relationships: “Hardwiring happiness” isn’t just about you and your brain. It’s also about how positive interactions with others can boost your well-being. According to Dr. Hanson, cultivating healthy relationships can create a ripple effect of happiness. Suddenly, you’re not just making your brain happier; you’re also making the world a little brighter! Overall, Dr. Hanson’s “Hardwiring Happiness” book can be your instruction manual for sculpting a happier, calmer, and more confident you. In fact, you can become the “architect of your own brain, rearranging the furniture to let the light in.” With the HEAL process, mindfulness, and a dash of positivity, you’re on the right track to rewiring your brain for bliss. Remember: This isn’t an overnight transformation but a journey. So, if you have time, you might want to read Dr. Hanson’s book too and embark on the adventure of a lifetime – the adventure of rewiring your brain for happiness. I hope you found this book feature helpful and interesting!