The Happiness Track

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

Daniel Wegner, a psychology professor at Harvard University, has shown in several studies that the intention to control a particular thought often breaks down under stress or mental overload and actually ends up triggering the unwanted thought, undermining our best intentions.

Just as your mind influences the breath, you can influence the state of your mind through the breath as well.”

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.

As described earlier, our brain is wired to focus on fearful or negative stimuli more than positive ones.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has spent much of his life teaching yoga-based breathing practices around the world through his organization the Art of Living Foundation.

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

So what is the fastest way to achieve well-being? It is so close to you that it can easily be overlooked: your breath—a

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor. —Thich Nhat Hanh