A few winters ago, it rained pretty much constantly for three months.
By month two of the unrelentingly wet weather, my thoughts had also taken a predictably dour turn.
Why is my husband working such long hours?
I’d like to say that normally I’m an optimistic and sunny person.
But the truth is, my mind naturally tilts in the direction of worry.
The endless rain simply pushed me more firmly toward the bleak side.
Suddenly, my brain cells were singing the “Hallelujah” chorus.
I was so captivated, I pulled over to watch, basking in my little pocket of unexpected joy.
The thought made me smile, jolting me out of my gloom.
It’s not that I felt chipper exactly, but I was a tad more hopeful.
I couldn’t help but wonder, Had a pig suddenly turned my sodden mood sunny?
Not that it’s quite as easy as “think happy thoughts and you’ll end up happy.”
Evolution favored those who were able to react to danger with lightning speed."
“An upsetting experience in our past can cast a long shadow,” Hanson confirms.
The limbic system is partially responsible for these negative propensities.
“The amygdala evaluates every situation, asking, ‘Is this good or bad?'”
In other words, pain takes precedence over pleasure, at least in the brain.
I found this out years ago, one hot day when I was on a run.
How can the average human summon a lighter attitude in the face of all this seemingly preordained negativity?
Falling in love with an effervescent pig is one way to do it.
One technique is simply to play a numbers game.
That’s good news for your overall state of mind.
I’m getting a bit better at that every day.
(Thank you, Chloe.)
I could practically feel the cells in my left prefrontal cortex doing a happy dance.
Test them out yourself and we promise you’ll look at the world differently, whatever the weather.
Smile.It can lift your mood, a phenomenon known as the facial feedback hypothesis.
Post-‘tox, subjects took longer to understand sad or angry sentences.
Impairing frowning may disrupt the brain-body feedback loop, dampening negative emotions.
(Try something like “Bills, bills, billsthey suck!”
to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.")
“Singing about worries makes them seem a bit absurd and helps put them in perspective.”
Soothe.Replay a memorycooking with your grandmathat evokes safety as you place your hand on your heart or cheek.
Hanson says, “They might rattle the leaves, but they can’t hurt the tree.”
“Spend time with happy people and you’ll eventually feel happier yourself,” Dr. Iacoboni says.
Naming your negative emotions (as in, Wow.
I’m really,reallyfeeling annoyed!)
can help take the sting out of them.
Feel any tightness in your body, then gradually start to let the tension go.
Think about any negative emotions you’re feeling.Fury?
Now, name your ugly emotions.
“I feel so humiliated.”
That suggests that labeling your feelings can calm the reactive amygdala.
“But the words you use matter,” says author Daniel Siegel, M.D.
Make it a habit and you’ll create positive brain changes over time.
You with your face next to your phone.
When’s the last time you stopped and looked at a sunset…or looked up,period?
But there’s good reason to stash the gadget and revel in what’s around you.
How to do it.Experience joy with all your sensesinhale the smells; feel the air on your skin.
14 Days to a Happier, Healthier You
Photo Credit: Thorsten Milse/Getty Images
