The Happiness Track
The “chase” mentality is pervasive in our culture because we are arguably facing the most difficult time in human history to resist external stimuli. Why? Technology allows work and personal demands to be on our radar all the time. Thanks to computers, smartphones, and tablets, the boss’s latest request is sitting in an in-box, to-do lists reminder
... See moreEmma Seppala • The Happiness Track
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor. —Thich Nhat Hanh
Emma Seppala • The Happiness Track
No valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now. —Alan Watts1
Emma Seppala • The Happiness Track
Why does our stress linger so much longer than theirs, sometimes becoming chronic? The answer is in our brain. Our capacity for thought—as precious as it is—gets in our way. In addition to a fretful mind, popular messages encourage us to live in overdrive, making it all the more difficult for us to return to a calm state. Let’s examine each of thes
... See moreEmma Seppala • The Happiness Track
Research shows that the more you check your e-mail, the more stress you experience.
Emma Seppala • The Happiness Track
If our thoughts and minds are not the best gateway to tap into resilience, what is? Our bodies.
Emma Seppala • The Happiness Track
happiness brings out our best potential in four concrete ways.5
Emma Seppala • The Happiness Track
As described earlier, our brain is wired to focus on fearful or negative stimuli more than positive ones.
Emma Seppala • The Happiness Track
Sleeping with Your Smartphone,
Emma Seppala • The Happiness Track
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.