As promised, here is the first chapter of The Happiness Advantage explained and summarized.
The Happiness Advantage Principle 1
How happiness gives your brain and your organization a competitive edge.
Main Points
- When we are happy, when our mindset and mood are positive = we are smarter, more motivated and thus, more successful
- Broaden and Build theory:
- Positive emotion = more broadened focus = more creativity, more thoughtful, more open to ideas
- Negative emotion = narrows focus
- Positive emotion = more broadened focus = more creativity, more thoughtful, more open to ideas
So, if the happier we are, the more successful we are:
lets find ways to improve our mood
1. Meditate:
- Research shows that right after, we feel calmer, more content, aware and empathetic
- Look at the two below posts for more information about meditation
- Mediation infographic post
- How to reduce stress post
2. Find something to look forward to
- Even anticipating a vacation or a night out can stimulate pleasure centers in your brain
- Check out this post to find fun things to do around Austin
3. Commit conscious acts of kindness
- Our moods improve when we do a favor for a friend or just helping out a stranger
- For example, pay for a stranger's coffee or offer to help a friend with babysitting
4. Infuse positivity into surroundings
- Our environment affects our mindset, find one that allows you to be positive
- Turn off the depressing news when you get home and instead watch a comedy or get out an take an evening walk
5. Exercise
- Exercise has been shown to work as efficiently in decreasing depressive symptoms as both therapy and antidepressants. However, exercising is a skill that has shown to have longer lasting effects as compared to the use of antidepressants
- Running, walking, skipping, yoga, kayaking- anything that gets your body moving for 45 minutes a day.
6. Spend money on experiences
- Using money to buy you experiences such as concerts, vacations or dinners have a longer lasting 'happiness' effect than just buying material items
- No matter what the budget, put something on your calendar that you and your partner or friends will enjoy
7. Exercise a signature strength
- We experience an increase of positivity when we use a skill we are particularly good at.
- Look at this post to find more information about character strengths
Stay tuned for the next principle: Changing your performance by changing your mindset.