How To Teach Your Brain To Be Happy

The secret of lasting happiness could be summed up in just a few less common words: "Collaborating neurons interconnect better." This sentence is supported by neuropsychologist Rick Hanson. "The more neurons (brain cells) work together, the more intense the collaboration, the better they will interconnect and increase their inner strength in terms of feelings of happiness, gratitude, trust, success, love, and love. you feel loved ".

But most people cannot remain in a positive emotional state every day so that it becomes a habit, including at the neuronal level (which means that there is not enough collaboration and interconnection between brain cells). On the other hand, people naturally tend to focus on negative experiences.

Positive and negative emotions use different memory systems, according to Hanson, and positive emotions are not easily transferred to long-term memory.

Hanson argues that the problem is that people are built to focus on bad things. And this "negative error" causes the brain to react intensely to bad news, compared to how it responds to good news. The brain has evolved to constantly look for threats and when it finds one to isolate it and thus lose sight of the big picture.

"Because of this negative brain error, it's so hard for us to learn from positive experiences, even though this is the best way to increase our inner strength," says Hanson.

The way to "connect with happiness" in the brain is to stay in the present, to enjoy the pleasant and happy moments that life offered you.

"The key is to try to bring the good things into your brain. That is, to pass the positive experiences into the long-term memory of the brain, "says Hanson.

The specialist reveals some of the most hidden secrets of neuropsychology to overcome negative errors and fix happiness in the brain, optimizing your potential for joy.

1. Choose the beautiful moments

Every day there are positive moments and, no matter how small or unimportant they are, they can be the tools through which you can change your perspective. But to do this, you need to take the time to appreciate these moments of joy and increase their intensity and duration so that they can be anchored in the brain.

"People do not recognize the hidden power of daily experiences. We are surrounded by opportunities - 10 seconds here or 20 seconds there - just to record useful experiences and learn from them. People don't do that even though they could, "says Hanson.

When you appreciate and maximize small positive experiences, he says "it increases the feeling of fulfillment, security, love, pleasure, and respect. So you don't feel crushed anymore. "Insecurity disappears because you've incorporated all those good things into yourself."

2. Focus on positive experiences that have a big impact on you

Certain experiences will have a greater positive effect depending on a person's negative mistakes at some point. For example, if you are worried about your health, you need the experience to address that concern - so instead of looking for success or praying at work, maybe you should take care of things that give you a sense of security or a state of mind. good.

"You want experiences that fit the problem, like medicine and disease," Hanson added.

People have three basic needs for safety, satisfaction, and interaction, he explains. So if you have a health problem you want to find experiences that increase your positive feelings in this sector. If the problem is related to interaction, you should focus on the small positive moments of connecting with others. If you are anxious and feel threatened it will help you feel strong and protected in yourself.

3. Be on your side

An essential ingredient for happiness is setting an intention for joy and focusing on it.

"If we do not stick with us, we do not protect ourselves, and this is fundamental for anyone. There is a joke among therapists: (How many therapies does it take to change a light bulb? Only one, if the light bulb wants to be replaced). In other words, if someone doesn't want to change, they won't do it no matter how much help they receive from those around them, "says Hanson.

This means that if the person you love is upset or worried, try to help him as much as you can.

But if you are upset or worried, you often do not make the same effort to help yourself. Instead, you tend to be upset and focus on the negative things more than necessary.

4. Stay curious

When it comes to good things, curiosity makes the difference. Looking at the pleasant moments through the eyes of a child, allows these moments to remain in the brain as long as possible and to become part of the long-term emotional memory.

"The newer and more attractive things seem, the easier it will be for you to look at them through the eyes of a child, and so they will enter the structure of the brain because he is always interested in everything new," he added. Hanson.

5. Keep your eyes open and look around

The secret of happiness is as simple (and at the same time difficult) as attention. Attention - cultivating conscious concentration at present, developed through meditation and deep breathing - is probably the best tool when it comes to increasing the capacity for happiness.

"The problem is that a lot of people don't have control over their thoughts, which is why it's so hard for them to give up on those that don't help them," says Hanson.

It can be difficult to pay attention to negative things, which can take the form of self-criticism, obsession, and anxiety, according to Hanson.

But one way to change that and create more positive emotions in the brain is to make a conscious effort and observe all the good things of a day: a smile from a stranger, a warm gesture from a friend, or a little personal victory.

"Attention is a great way to take control. It can help you stay focused for 10–20 seconds on those positive experiences and it can help you be present in your life so that you can notice all the pleasant things that are there for you, "Hanson concluded.