The Happiness Track

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. —Maya Angelou

Our brains tend to focus on negative thoughts more than positive ones.

One study found that, the more people engaged in media multitasking (from word processing to text messaging and e-mail), the higher their anxiety and depression levels tended to be.22

Research shows that the more you check your e-mail, the more stress you experience.

If our thoughts and minds are not the best gateway to tap into resilience, what is? Our bodies.

As shown in a study from his research group,9 surgery triggers a stress response, flooding the body with chemicals to hasten healing.10 However, if I entered surgery chronically stressed, my immune response would actually be weaker because I would have already diminished my body’s resources.

When you are performing any individual task, if you are able to give it your undivided attention, you will accomplish it far more efficiently and quickly while also enjoying the process.

Scientists hypothesize that this negativity bias is evolutionarily adaptive. By remembering dangerous encounters with predators, for example, our ancestors were more likely to steer clear of them. However, nowadays this tendency is no longer necessary and often gets in our way.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s breathing technique (the Sudarshan Kriya)