{"id":8364,"date":"2012-09-16T18:49:46","date_gmt":"2012-09-16T22:49:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=8364"},"modified":"2012-09-16T23:58:38","modified_gmt":"2012-09-17T03:58:38","slug":"nurturing-the-mind-10-tips-to-become-happier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yang-sheng.com\/?p=8364","title":{"rendered":"Nurturing the mind — 10 Tips to become happier"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Nurturing the Mind]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Ten Tips to Become Happier <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

from Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

— An Introduction to Positive Psychology<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Kevin W Chen, Ph.D. MPH<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Have you ever wished that, instead of learning about history or the speed of light in school, we were also taught something more practical, like how to be happy?\u00a0 Well, your wish has come true. Recently, a new subject has appeared in education, not in high school but at universities.\u00a0 The course is called Positive Psychology, and its underlying promise is that we can learn to be happier, just as we can learn to ride a bike or to speak a foreign language.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Positive psychology\u00a0may be the youngest branch in modern psychology, with less than 30 years of history, although its subject is one of the oldest and most fundamental human emotions \u2013\u00a0 happiness.\u00a0 Positive Psychology is the scientific study and exploration of the human strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to develop and thrive. \u00a0This new discipline of psychology is founded by those who want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives (instead of simply avoiding depression or anxiety), to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, joy, work, and play.<\/p>\n

Dr. Maslow once said, \u201cthe science of psychology has been far more successful on the negative than on the positive side; it has revealed to us much about man\u2019s shortcomings, his illness, his sins but little about his potentialities, his virtues, his achievable aspirations.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Traditional clinical psychology is based on the disease model, and the best outcome is from disease to neutral state (the zero) or no disease; neither depression nor anxiety. <\/span>In contrast, positive psychology is based on the health model of human behavior by focusing on building up strengths or virtues, and pursuit of positive emotion, happiness and flourishing.\u00a0 Happiness isn\u2019t the negation of unhappiness. <\/span> The knowledge of positive psychology can help prevent disease or failure through cultivating positive characteristics and emotions. More importantly,<\/p>\n

positive psychology focuses on what works in real life so as to catalyze a change in psychology from a preoccupation only with repairing the worst things in life to also building the best qualities in life.<\/p>\n

Two years ago, I had the privilege to take the corresponding course \u201cFoundation of Positive Psychology\u201d through the University of Pennsylvania, taught by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, whose teaching of Positive Psychology had made it the most popular course in Harvard University at the time (with 800+ students in one semester). You can find out more about Dr. Ben-Shahar from his web site (http:\/\/www.talbenshahar.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

At the end of this inspirational course, Dr. Ben-Shahar summarized the course with his top 10 tips to become happier. I would like to share these tips with some materials I learned from the course so that the readers may get a basic idea of how to apply these tips in their own pursuit of happiness:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> The questions you ask will define the places to go to, and create your reality.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat kind of reality do I want to create?\u201d \u00a0The questions will define or determine how you will think or behave next.\u00a0 If you ask \u201cwhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d you would automatically look for wrong-doing or mistakes\u2026.\u00a0 Instead, how about asking \u201cWhat is most meaningful to me?\u201d \u201cWhat is most pleasant to me?\u201d \u201cWhat is my strength?\u201d \u2013 find any overlap in answers to these queries will lead you to a more positive reality \u201cWhat works best?\u201d \u00a0My favorite questions in a difficult or stressful situation: \u201cWhat is one thing that is good about this?\u201d or \u201cWhat can I learn from this situation?\u201d<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> Believe in yourself and others (think outside of the box). <\/strong><\/p>\n

Belief is a self-filling prophecy, and attitude is everything. \u00a0Never underestimate the power of belief. \u00a0People can go to wars and sacrifice themselves for a simple belief; therefore, starting with a positive belief and constructive attitude could make everything work differently.\u00a0 You cannot achieve or enjoy happiness with a negative attitude. \u00a0If you want to be happy, choose to be happy, and believe in yourself that you can always be happier\u2026<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> Learn to fail (or fail to learn!) <\/strong><\/p>\n

The foundation of success is failure, no shortcut! \u00a0Failure is an important part of life or any successful progress, which offers unique and necessary lessons for moving closer to success. Do not be afraid of failure, and do not fail to learn from failures. It is true that failure does not feel as good as success, but we learn precious lessons from it. We may simply label \u2018failure\u201d as the successful identification of what does not work. \u00a0J<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> Give yourself permission to be human <\/strong><\/p>\n

It is the foundation of mental health \u2013 accept both painful and joyful experiences. Embrace your emotions, not just positive ones like joy or enthusiasm, but also emotions like anger, fear or sadness. \u00a0Do not try to deny or run away from them.\u00a0 Expecting to be happy all the time is unrealistic and ultimately impossible \u2013 doing so will only lead to disappointment and greater unhappiness. \u00a0Perfectionism does not bring happiness. Every human-being makes mistakes, and has negative motions; therefore, allowing yourself to be human implies living in reality while finding the beautiful self through both pains and joys.<\/p>\n

5.<\/strong> Open up (journal and\/or in person)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Expressing yourself (writing, talking to friends or therapist) will assist in feeling emotions \u2013 live a life with integrity by being real and truthful to your own values and feelings. \u00a0Talking about traumatic or negative experiences offers an opportunity to heal by allowing the mind to put it in context, reframe and find benefits… Do not suppress or hide your feelings; do not close your mind and emotions. Talking to your friends or therapist if you have problem, or just writing down how you feel will channel out the feeling\u2026<\/p>\n

6.<\/strong> Being a benefit finder (express gratitude, and appreciate what we already have) <\/strong><\/p>\n

Find out what works best in all situations, including the worst situation, and actively (purposefully) find the benefits in every situation and event. Create rituals and keep a gratitude journal. Happiness rarely visits those who frequently complain and are too cynical. Yes, nobody is perfect and everything has two sides, by being a benefit finder you would live a much happier and more peaceful life. \u00a0Remember that there is always someone living a worse life than you\u2026 The happiest people don\u2019t have the best of everything; they just make the best out of everything.<\/p>\n

7.<\/strong> Simplify your life (do less instead of more, time affluence)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Modern society promotes the notion more is better, or faster is better, which does not really bring happiness. Technology brings us more convenience or efficiency, but less time to enjoy life.\u00a0 Next time when you make a choice on anything from purchasing a cell phone to accepting an invitation to an event, simpler is probably better for your well-being and happiness. \u00a0Do not live with an overwhelming sense that you are running out of time, doing so makes it impossible to enjoy or dedicate yourself fully to any activities that make you happy.<\/p>\n

8.<\/strong> Cultivate relationships <\/strong><\/p>\n

A close intimate relationship is the number one predictor of our well-being; therefore, spending quality time with the important person in your life will make a big difference in your general satisfaction in life, and the feeling of happiness. Cultivating relationships also means investing time and energy for closer and positively-oriented relationships, and let go of the relationship that brings nothing but negativity to your life.<\/p>\n

9.<\/strong> Remember the mind-body connection<\/strong><\/p>\n

A healthy mind is based on a healthy body, it can be more difficult to feel happy when you are physically sick, or feel sleepy and stressed. \u00a0So if you want to keep your mind positive and your spirit up, start with getting an adequate amount of sleep, pay attention to your diet and get regular exercises.\u00a0 The common formula for a happy life includes active exercise, breathing & mindfulness practice (e.g. meditation), good sleep, and human touch (for example, hugs) \u2013 these are the key to the mind-body connection.<\/p>\n

10. <\/strong>Differentiate yourself (be known) <\/strong><\/p>\n

Open up to knowing and being known, being real and truthful\u2014 really know who you are and what your life means. Live the life that matches your values. One good exercise is to write down what you like about yourself, what you value most, and what you are good at, so as to build up a positive and realistic self-esteem.<\/p>\n

Most importantly (which becomes tip #11\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42 ), introduce behavioral change NOW (today) to lead yourself for a happier life<\/strong> — to become a practical idealist and make a difference in your own life. \u201cBe the change you want to see.\u201d \u00a0Happiness is not a goal in life, but a continuous process starting now. \u00a0We can always expect to be happier\u2026 \u00a0One of the most recommended actions by Dr. Ben-Shahar, as well as by Dr. Andrew Weil (in his new book Spontaneous Happiness<\/em>), is to start writing appreciation journal, or recall three things you enjoyed and appreciated every day \u00a0before going to bed.\u00a0 By simply asking yourself everyday: \u201cWhat am I grateful for right now?\u201d \u201cWhat do I appreciate in my life?\u201d and allowing yourself to really feel that gratitude, you will become at least 25% happier.<\/p>\n

For more information about positive psychology, I highly recommend the web site from University of Pennsylvania — \u201cAuthentic Happpiness\u201d (http:\/\/www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu\/Default.aspx)<\/a>…<\/p>\n

May this short introduction help you find your way to becoming happier!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Harvard Positive Psychology Class and Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar<\/p>\n

<\/address>\n
\"\"<\/a>Kevin W Chen, Ph.D., MPH is an associate professor at the Center for Integrative Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine (USA). \u00a0Dr. Chen was educated in the universities of both China and the United States, and has\u00a0years of experience and training in blending eastern and western perspectives, and in\u00a0the practice of life-nurturing methods. As a long-time practitioner of Qigong Yang Sheng, he is one of the few scientists in the U.S. to have both hands-on knowledge of mind-body practice, and an active research career in mind-body medicine, which is funded through grants by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and various foundations.\u00a0 Dr. Chen devotes his career and life to the practice of Yang Sheng, and promotion of self-healing and mind-body-spirit integration through the non-profit organization, World Institute for Self Healing (WISH) ttp:\/\/www.wishus.org<\/a><\/address>\n

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