How can anyone foresee what will make them happy or unhappy or how they will react or feel about it when it actually does happen? Another author named Michael Mendelsohn, writes an article titled “Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness”, whereas he concentrates more on the chemistry of happiness. Mendelsohn thinks happiness is a brain condition made up of fifty percent genetics, ten percent circumstances and we control the remaining forty percent with our thoughts and actions. These two authors try to offer an explanation and understanding for why some people are happier than others. “The Pursuit of Happiness” suggests what we imagine occurrences and possessions that we believe would make us happy or unhappy.
Before World War II, one of the objectives of American psychology was to “make relatively untroubled people happier” (Seligman). Much of the wealth of information gathered while trying to treat and cure mental disorders can also be used to determine what leads to positive psychology. “The ultimate goal of positive psychology is to make people happier by understanding and building positive emotion, gratification and meaning” (Seligman). Through study, psychologist have determined that there are exercises’ which help to make people happier and the and the positive emotions from the exercises’ practiced have lasting effects for up to three months. To help the estimated seventy percent of the population who aren’t battling mental illness, but also may not be living their life as happily as possible, researchers must determine what happiness is.
Transcendental Meditation is most effective in reducing apprehension, improving mental health, increasing self awareness, and ridding the abuse of cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. Transcendental Meditation in clinical analysis proves that meditation can increase control of involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, skin temperature, and brain waves (Skye). Scientists believe that meditation for long-term results reduces the quantity of stress hormones, and as a result reduces cholesterol and blood pressure (Wiss 2000). A study
In this way a previous neutral stimuli can become positively valued because of their association with a pleasant event (i.e. we are likely to like people through the process of classical conditioning). Relationships where the positive feeling outweigh the negative is more likely to develop and succeed There is consistent supporting research that we like some individuals because they provide direct reinforcement. Griffitt and Guay found that participants rated the experimenter (on terms of likability) higher when he positively rewarded them on their performance after a creative task. This evidence supports RNS theory as it indicates that liking the experimenter depended on the extent to which they provided direct reinforcement for the participant and made them feel happy.
Exercise is one of the most beneficial ways to maintain stress and stay healthy. Exercising plays a big role in keeping the body mentally stable. Most people would agree that exercising makes them feel better. Some people may not realize that there are scientific reasons why exercising is so beneficial. When a person exercises the blood flows faster and releases endorphins which causes the feeling of happiness and keeps stress under control (Ballantyne).
But now your snack can be.” This makes the product seem so good that it is completely flawless. The last words on the page ask the seemingly simple question, “Have you laughed today?” If you do not analyze closely, then you may not recognize that this simple question is saying that the product brings happiness to its consumer. Another technique of propaganda that this advertisement uses is something that Ann
Subjective well-being can also be measured by showing a person a group of pictures of faces and asking them to describe their own level of satisfaction with their life with one of the faces. If I were given the opportunity to be hooked up to a machine that would keep me in a constant state of happiness, I would decline. I do not live the most satisfactory life in my own opinion, however I like having the ability to take the bad with the good. When we experience bad life circumstances, it makes the good experiences that much better. Bad experiences and feelings make the good feelings worth living for.
Viewing this video of Dr. Martin Seligman has already positively impacted my life. Positive psychology is the opposite of what psychology is most widely known for. Positive psychology says that nothing is wrong, but it still can be better. Psychology is good because it has expanded human horizons of the mind. It has allowed for the development of a science of mental illness complete with measures, causation, classifications, psychological and pharmaceutical treatments, rigorous efficacy of treatments, decline in miserable people, and even the curing of mental diseases.
Serotonin boosters. When our serotonin levels are higher, we feel calmer and more relaxed. Carbohydrates are good serotonin boosters, and that’s why we often reach for those sugary foods. Instead, choose high fiber, whole grains like oatmeal and whole wheat bread. Peppermint.
These belong to a group of medicines called acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors. They work by increasing the levels of acetylcholine. This is the chemical in the brain that is low in people with Alzheimer’s disease. 2 The positive effects of the drugs can sometimes be life changing seeing individuals moods get brighter and happier, having a calming effect on the individual, reducing memory loss, aggression, restlessness, reduction in hallucinations, less likely to worry and less pain. Their ability to do things may become better like doing activities and socialising with other and also going out doing things like shopping.