1. Keys to stay in pursuit of Happiness
ONES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ANYONE, BUT NOT CONSCIOUSLY SOUGHT AFTER.
2. There may be a few different answers to this question
depending on the perspective. What do you think?
In a broad sense everyone agrees that happiness is an
emotional state characterised by conscious feelings of
Fulfillment and Contentment.
Examples of actions that give you happiness: Achieving
your ambitions. Doing something kind for others.
Engaging in your hobbies. Etc.
What is True Happiness?
3. But in this photo, the child clearly seems Happy. It is at an
age where it can't possibly understand the above feelings.
Then why is it happy??
Is there more to happiness? Maybe it is simply a state
of mind that is not sad/troubled? Food for thought!
What is True Happiness?
4. Scientific reasons for what makes you
feel happy or sad
Over the last centuries psychologists and neurologists have studied
why you feel what you feel. The reasons are the release of certain
hormones into your blood as a response to certain actions.
Examples are:
• Dopamine
• Serotonin
• Cortisol
Etc..
We shall touch upon what sort of Activities release(or not) these
hormones in the next slides.
5. Dopamine: The motivating hormone!
Dopamine motivates people to take action toward goals,
desires, and needs, and issues a surge of reinforcing
pleasure once they’ve been accomplished.
Low dopamine levels make people and animal models less
likely to work toward achieving a goal.
Good sleep, exercise, Creative hobbies, Meditation,
Massages, Showing affection through "touch" in a genuine
fashion are all ways through which you can boost your
dopamine levels.
6. Serotonin: Stay calm and focussed!
Associated with feelings of happiness, focus and calmness.
Contributes to sleep and digestion
Deficiency is linked with sensitivity to pain, aggressiveness,
anxiety.
How to boost serotonin: Exercise, Exposure to sunlight
atleast 15 minutes a day, Trying to keep yourself away from
places/people that make you feel anxious/angry. Engage in
doing service to others.
7. Endorphins: Natural Pain killer!
They are primarily associated with a refreshed feeling for the body
after physical strain.
Other benefits of endorphins are like that of serotonin plus, better
immune response, and improved self-esteem.
Ways to increase their natural production in your body:
• Primarily through physical workout/sports for a period till you feel
the pain.
• Enjoying music/art
• Accupuncture/Massage
8. Oxytocin: Love Hormone.
Its release into the bloodstream is associated with feelings of
Love, empathy, trust.
Other effects involve a calming sensation that induces
deep sleep, open mindedness towards everything.
To improve levels of oxytocin you just need to spend time with
people you love and care about. Your friends. Your family. Your
favourite people!
9. Cortisol: The stress hormone
The previous 4 hormones were happiness inducing. But Cortisol on
the other hand, like adrenaline is a hormone that puts your body
and mind under internal stress.
It was also studied that people who think too much about their
problems and create stress within themselves also generate excess
cortisol.
It can cause anxiety, heart diseases, broken sleep cycles, etc...
Ways to reduce cortisol levels are: to practice mindfulness(monitor
your thoughts consciously as much as possible), Having regular
sleep.
10. Keys for a happier life, wrap up!
Physical exercise
Spending time with people you care about.
Having goals and ambitions.
Actively work towards these goals and find new ones when you achieve each one.
Being mindful. Meditation helps with this.
Express your affection through your words and actions.
Find/Try activities that make you feel satisfied. Hobbies from childhood or ones that you always
wanted to try!
Accept the fact that pain, anger and worry are all emotions natural to us. It is "the process"
of facing them and overcoming them, that brings you happiness.
The question of happiness doesn’t have a one stop solution. It is a constant pursuit!
Thank you!!
