The Neuro-Protective Lifestyle

Suffering, in this life is an inevitability — happiness on the other hand, is a choice.

The power of positive psychology or “Learned Optimism”, can help you find it.

Consciously or not, most people believe that happiness can be found by either — a lifelong pursuit of “pure pleasure” or simply “getting what you want”. Research done at U Penn’s Positive Psychology Center under the direction of Dr. Marty Seligman however paints a different picture.

Authentic happiness involves living a life full of appreciation — being mindful of each and every moment — and passionately pursuing knowledge, friendships, health and career goals.

The concept of authentic happiness successfully blends the powerful emotional aspects of happiness with the more objective pursuits in life.

In a word - balance, is everything.

Problems arise along the way when we fall into one or more of the five “happiness traps”.

In the book, “What Happy People Know”, Dan Baker lists five very seductive traps that most people regardless of income or intelligence fall into –

FIVE HAPPINESS TRAPS

1. Trying to buy happiness
2. Trying to find happiness through pleasure
3. Trying to be happy by resolving the past
4. Trying to be happy by overcoming weaknesses
5. Trying to force happiness

Just as happiness is a learned process, “learned helplessness” is every bit as real.

We are comforted by the thought that we are not to blame for our own misfortune. Feeling that you’ve been “victimized” and are “entitled” to more, squarely places blame on someone else and temporarily excuses our bad behavior. Ultimately we sabotage our only chance at finding authentic happiness.

So why not get started today with some practical applications of “authentic happiness”.

Practice appreciation -

Appreciation alone is sufficient to retrain your brain and stop the endless cycle of fear-anger and over-reacting that most of us engage in daily.

Practice mindfulness -

Wherever you are, pause for a moment - relax your shoulders - take a deep breath and become an observer to the endless stream of unconnected thoughts that occupy your mind at this very moment - realize these thoughts are not YOU but a constant distractor of who you really are. As you become more mindful, your “inner-critic” and all the negative self-talk will be replaced by positive thoughts of YOUR choosing.

Be passionate -

Make a list of three things you are passionate about. Carry it with you - it will help you create the life you want to live.

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