Happiness Day: tips to welcome it every day

Happiness. A word that sounds a bit out of tune if thrown into the midst of the sensations that dominated the last year but that we must remember. Today even more. In fact, March 20 is theInternational Happiness Day (the International Day of Happiness) established by the General Assembly of the United Nations precisely to reiterate how important it is to be happy and how much more important it is that the momentum of all nations is towards achieving this condition for all.

We firmly believe in it. That’s why we talked about happiness with Stefano Macrì, Cinzia Sgarlata and Beatrice Vedovi, founders of Action 4 Life Management School, which to celebrate this day presents the Happiness Forum. The online event aims to spread the scientific concept of happiness for positive change leading to collective rebirth and a new future.

Their tips for learning to welcome happiness:

HAPPINESS AND SCIENCE
The Science of Happiness teaches us that happiness is not only an emotion but also a skill to be trained daily. Here are six habits to include in your life to nourish inner well-being, improve your relationships with others and respond positively to stressful everyday situations.

KINDNESS
According to studies from Harvard Medical School, performing small and simple gestures of kindness daily towards others allows our body to reduce inflammatory states, strengthening the immune system, improving health and extending life. Try to do 5 acts of kindness towards different people in the space of a week – it costs nothing and can only benefit your well-being.

GRATITUDE
Research conducted by the University of California has shown that cultivating an attitude of gratitude helps improve our energy and mood and decreases the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone in our body, which in the long run can cause illness. and physical, mental and emotional distress. It can be helpful in daily practice to keep a journal to write down every day to write down everything you are grateful for.

SMILE
Deciding to wear our best smile and show it to the world is a safe investment. The Italian neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti, with his discovery of mirror neurons, has confirmed that smiling is contagious and improves relationships. By activating the facial muscles, we also activate feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. We therefore give a sincere smile every day to ourselves and to those we meet.

PAROLE POSITIVE
The Japanese Masaru Emoto, with several experiments, has shown that water has its own memory and its crystals change shape according to the messages they receive. When water receives messages of love and gratitude, the crystals take on a harmonious and majestic shape. Since we human beings are composed of 70% water, we can preserve our well-being by paying attention to the positive words we choose towards ourselves and towards others.

TAKE A BREAK
When we get angry or overwhelmed by unpleasant emotions, we avoid reacting on impulse so as not to incur negative consequences. Instead, let’s take the right time to unload the stress hormone, cortisol, from our body and act in a more balanced way. During the day, let’s allow ourselves moments in which to dedicate ourselves to what we like: a walk in nature, reading a good book, a meditative break, a few minutes reserved for deep breathing or time to invest in our favorite hobby. .

FIND THE POSITIVE SIDE
When we complain, the neurons in our brain shut down and therefore our creative abilities and our ability to easily solve problems… will inexorably diminish. Research has shown that in order to balance an unpleasant thought, one must commit to developing at least three positive and pleasant thoughts. When you recognize that you have toxic thoughts, try to stop, observe them, and find the positive side.

ONE OF THE MAIN STUDIES ON HAPPINESS
A study by University of California psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky tells us that about 50% of a human’s level of happiness is genetically determined. About 10% of his happiness is affected by external living conditions, but as much as 40% of his happiness can be influenced by his mind.

According to Lyubomirsky, the secret to lasting happiness is to focus one’s attention primarily on the 40% who are under one’s control and to constantly maintain a good level of inner happiness.

How to do? Avoid negative thoughts and encourage positive thoughts, constantly nurture social relationships, engage in enjoyable and fulfilling activities, and find purpose in your life.

Sonja Lyubomirsky is an American professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside and author of the bestseller The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. His Ted is famous with millions of views all over the world.

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