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5 scientific secrets to happiness
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What does it actually take to be happy? - photo by Alyssa White
I have often wondered, "What does it actually mean to be happy? How do I know if I am happy? How can I change my level of happiness?" After reading through lots of research in various studies, heres what I have found.

Happiness = strong relationships

Harvard psychology professor Daniel Gilbert said, If I wanted to predict your happiness, and I could know only one thing about you, I wouldnt want to know your gender, religion, health, or income. Id want to know about your social networkabout your friends and family and the strength of your bonds with them, (emphasis added).

Quality of relationships is one of the strongest predictors of an individuals happiness. You feel greater peace and well-being when you are connected to other people and when you have someone to count on.

The 2015 World Happiness Report states, When individuals are made to experience social isolation, many of the same brain regions become active that are active in the experience of physical pain. Essentially, it is NOT good for you to be alone or isolated. It doesnt make you happy.

As human beings we are not meant to live independent of each other; we need relationships for ultimate happiness. Husbands, wives, children, parents, extended family and friendsyou need them. You cant be happy all on your own.

Happiness = plasticity: the ability to grow and change

Life is full of stressful moments, tragedies and adversities beyond your control, and these situations definitely impact your happiness. However, recovering effectively from these negative events will determine your overall well-being.

Plasticity, or the ability to grow and change through unforeseen circumstances, can be learned through practice. It can be cultivated through psychotherapy and/or meditation. Its all about perspective and awareness. Its accepting setbacks as they arise and learning from mistakes.

Happiness isnt the absence of hard times. When you learn to face trials head-on and then move forward with greater strength and understanding, you will find the secret to happiness.

Happiness = mindfulness

Live in the moment.

Be where your feet are.

Make the most of today.

Youve heard these phrases over and over. But, according to science, thats exactly what you need to do in order to be happy.

According to "The Mindful Way Workbook," mindfulness is being able to bring direct, open-hearted awareness to what you are doing while you are doing it: being able to tune in to whats going on in your mind and body, and in the outside world, moment by moment.

Mindfulness also takes practice, focus and effort. Its enjoying each bite of your breakfast and noticing the color in your spouses eye. Its turning off your auto-pilot mode and really living life as it happens. Mindfulness is the essence of living life to its fullest, which ultimately creates a life of contentment and joy.

Happiness = empathy and altruism

Empathy is recognizing and sharing the feelings of others, and altruism is a selfless concern for the welfare of others.

The most selfish thing you can do for your happiness is to help others. Its a paradoxturning outward in service to other people will ultimately help you. Science has proven happiness is sustained through meaningful acts of compassion and connection.

Happiness = continual positive experiences

According to psychologist Ed Diener, the frequency of positive experiences is a much stronger predictor of happiness than the intensity of positive experiences.

Noticing and savoring the little things like finding money in your pocket, wearing a comfortable sweater or hugging your friend bring sustained happiness. This is the opposite of what we tend to think will make us happybig events like buying a new car or going on a date with a celebrity. Science has proven that how good your experiences are doesnt matter as much as how many good experiences you have.

Happiness is the sum of thousands of small things. Its creating and nourishing strong relationships, learning to grow and change, living in the moment, serving others and filling your life with positive experiences. Happiness is an emotion, but it's also a choice and a lifestyle. You have the potential to truly be happy.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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