Create your own happiness

Stress, just blow it away, this is what I want to say on an impulse. Sitting at the beachside and watching the waves tirelessly raising their heads and then receding, it is a rhythmic movement just like our brains seem to stress and de-stress. So, here is how to remain calm and de-stressed...

Pathway to happiness

There are many roads which will make us reach a happiness quotient and isn’t that what we are looking for? Try these:

Take the reigns

Any activity will help against depression. You just need to take up life’s reigns to ward off the feeling. Most people allow melancholic feelings to enter their lives as the human brain has a natural tendency to tilt towards the dark. So, instead of sitting and brooding, get involved in some kind of activity.

Set goals

When we have a focused sense, there is not much time for pessimistic emotions. The sheer passion of our commitment keeps us going great.

Engage in simple tasks

Sometimes the humdrum activities of life are the most joyous ones. We find simple pleasure in accomplishing simple tasks, such as:

n housekeeping

n shopping

n cleaning up

n taking care of mail

n taking your dog for a walk

These are stress-free tasks which give us a level of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Physical activity

It has been proved through research that physical activity has a direct effect on the brain. Exercise promotes the formation of neurons. Californian neuroscientist Fred Cage has proved that physical movement releases seratonin same as what is enthused by pharmaceutical chemicals.

The right company

Human closeness is important for our well-being but wrong company can create more stress than calm. American psychiatrist Janice Glaser and her husband immunologist Robert Glaser show that a destructive relationship has a direct effect on the immune system. Experiments have also shown that in a quarrel between husband and wife, a certain quantity of cells diminish.

Fighting loneliness

We need to make a conscious effort by treating ourselves to the things we love to do. French philosopher Montaigne had some unusual advice.

n Educate and advise yourself in the pleasures of the body.

n Cling to ideas that make you happy and indulge yourself in those.

Guide your thoughts

Gently stimulate your brain by guiding your thoughts. Seratonin is linked to stress system. When a large amount of seratonin circulates in the brain fewer stress hormones are released. Antidepressant’s also make serotonin available. These help in diminishing chronic stress. Medications possibly awaken the brain from hibernation. The grey cells grow and reactivate in the presence of less stress. Since serotonin indirectly stimulates nerve growth factors it is like the brain’s fertiliser.

It lies within

True happiness lies in your own hands, guide your thoughts in such a way that the brain in servitude to your thinking takes itself on the path to happiness. Be clear in your thinking, create joy from within.

(Singh is a Chandigarh-based psychotherapist)