How to Be Happy – It's All in Your Mind
Positive Thinking, Not Wealth, is the Key to Experiencing Happiness
Jun 8, 2009
Times are tough, but the happiness experts – psychologists, philosophers and neuroscientists – have developed a road map to happiness. And this increased knowledge is helping people deal with the challenges life sends.
Neuroscientists are now able to measure the brain’s levels of happiness. When one is distressed, the amygdala and the right prefrontal cortex are the most active parts of the brain. When a person is happy, those areas are quiet and there is increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex.
A person's normal mood range can be ascertained by noting the baseline level of activity in right and left prefrontal areas. The further the ratio tilts to the left, the happier a person becomes.
Wealth is Not the Key to Happiness
Now that happiness can be measured in the brain, it’s the turn of psychologists and philosophers to explain how to be happy.
And they agree that wealth is not the answer. Apparently, once you have sufficient income for the most basic needs – food, housing, clothes – known as the poverty level in some countries, more money does not make you any happier.
Dr Mirko Bagaric, an Australian philosopher and professor of law, commented on this surprising result. “People who focus on the accumulation of wealth are actually more likely to be unhappy,” he said, adding, "Materialistic values are counter-productive, as over time they heighten insecurity, one of the primary causes of unhappiness."
Dr, Bagaric continued, “...It is not surprising that a study published recently by the Legatum Institute indicated that Australians are the most prosperous people on the planet, despite not ranking in the top 30 in terms of our gross national income.”
If Not Money, What Should One Seek for Happiness
If more money is not the answer, then what is the key to happiness?
The answers are ones that everyone knows, deep down: good health, close relationships with others, challenging work, active leisure, a sense of community, faith or belief, the beauty of nature, compassion for others worse off, and a sense of optimism.
The Legatum study noted that “in developed nations the keys to prosperity included good health, freedom of choice, political rights and civil liberties, family and community life, as well as continued high levels of income.”
“To crank up your smile you need to peg back the work hours, get regular medical checks, overdose on time with family and friends, ditch the plan to buy the new plasma TV and latest model car, disconnect the mobile phone, get a hobby and buy a dog and walk it lots,” Dr Bagaric explained.
The Benefits of Positive Thinking
Many of the factors quoted in the Legatum study are beyond a person’s control. Despite one's best efforts, poor health, a disability, a lost job, or recent death in the family may make it difficult to remain upbeat.
Thinking positively – or as the Buddhists would have it — calm acceptance — is the way to face life’s upheavals, the happiness experts says.
“Don't stress about things going wrong. You'll probably be able to cope with most things that confront you,” Dr Bagaric said. “Lottery winners and victims of serious accidents tend to return to their previous level of baseline happiness within a year - one study showed that lottery winners are unhappier in the long run.”
Pollyanna could always find something to be glad about. For instance, when her wealthy aunt commented on the sad state of her dress, which had come from the missionary barrel, Pollyanna replied, “Father said I should be glad it wasn't a pair of boy's trousers.”
Put On A Happy Smile
And finally, pretend that you're happy. Crack a smile. The mind/body interaction means that when you act happy, your mind thinks you are happy. And you are!
Related Reading
Readers may also enjoy How to Make Complex Decisions as well as Mental Health Benefits from Nature
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