We discuss the subject of the Science of Well-being in Neuroscience. But above all, how is Neuroscience defined? It is a discipline that includes many Sciences involved in the study, from an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary point of view of the structure and functional organization of the nervous system, especially the brain.
From the study at different levels: molecular, neuronal, neural networks, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience try to unravel the way how brain activity is related to psyche and behavior.
The progress that has been made regarding the observation of the human brain and different welfare conditions is possible due to advances in medical technology, which facilitates new methods to learn about the imaging structure and functioning of the human brain.
Understanding the physiology of the brain is essential to understanding our behaviors and the processes of teaching and learning; and also to be able to apply the tools that allow the modeling of emotional states, to be a little happier every day.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience shows how a positive environment changes the brain to happiness and well-being, so early on it is so important that the brain is stimulated and learns to build a healthy life.
The focus of neuronal happiness research focuses on two aspects: pleasure and desire. The notion of reward is a central element of these two states of mind.
Well-being has always been a concern for science, especially in recent times. Indeed, in twenty years, disciplines have come together to constitute and consolidate a new science, the science of happiness, or the Science of well-being, which brings together neuroscience, positive psychology, the economy of happiness, etc. Note that in Neuroscience, happiness is defined as a durable state of fullness and satisfaction, a pleasant and balanced state of mind and body, hence suffering, stress, worry, and trouble are absent.
In this article, we will first confine ourselves to the subject of the Science of Well-being in Neuroscience. What do we learn or suggest Neuroscience to live happily or for our well-being? It is to this problem that your site Weddingincana.com tries to answer through the pen of Thomson Dablemond.
The Science of Well-Being in Neuroscience
Every scientific discipline related to the science of happiness or well-being has its way of explaining the science of well-being. In the sense that in Neuroscience, the science of happiness is the result of the activation of the specific circuits of the brain, circuits designed and developed by evolution to give us a state of well-being. Logically, these neuronal circuits are involved specific neurotransmitters that can be studied scientifically. The key is knowing how to activate these circuits voluntarily and consciously because in this way we can give ourselves experiences of happiness.
Did you know? Neuroscientists explain that extraordinary brain chemistry influences our well-being. Important molecules produced play a very important role in our emotional balance. These main molecules influence our emotional balance (or imbalance), such as the following four main ones: Dopamine – which is energy, pleasure, and motivation; – Acetylcholine – which helps creativity and memory. -, the GABA – which acts as a relaxant for calm and stability of mood – and serotonin – which acts on the feeling of joy of life and feeling of satisfaction -.
Happiness is in us. It’s up to us to know how to wake him up.
Certainly, you have noticed: Neuroscience informs us that our happiness or well-being depends on the use of our brain. Even, if you do not believe in God. Even if you do not believe that God has made you a wonderful creature. Even if you do not believe that man is a creature of God. Even if you do not believe that the entire human body has been architecturally well designed. However, believe that you have an incredible organ: the Brain. This is one of the things we discover in Neuroscience. I say it, loudly, in my quality, as a writer, philosopher, preacher: “ Happiness is in us. It’s up to us to know how to wake him up. And that starts with the proper use of our brain “. (Thomson Dablemond). It could be that you had never known it. But now, keep that in mind. Remember this though: ” To be happy is a choice. Well-being is a matter of choice. ” (Thomson Dablemond).
Do you want to know more about this? So, continue reading this article on the Science of Wellbeing in Neuroscience.
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The last great revolution in neuroscience was discovering that one can reprogram neural circuits. Until recently, it was believed that neuroplasticity was limited, that is, the human being was born with a fixed and immutable number of neurons, which deteriorated and died with the passage of time. It has been shown that our brain is able to change and create new neural networks all our lives.
Today it is known that through neural level learning – known as Hebb learning – neurons are able to install new wiring according to experience, whether casual or with conscious effort. This means that through proper mental training, our emotional profile can change and positively influence our lives.
The brain can be modified and recreated according to our moods and states of mind, and also depending on many factors that influence it such as our diet, our behaviors, our way of life, our environment, and so on.
Good mental training
Training to reprogram the brain can be done at three levels: through changes in our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. This would be the scientific explanation of why the therapies offered by psychologists help us feel better and be happier.
Man forgets that happiness is a disposition of mind and not a condition of circumstances. The modern mentality has led us to think that the pursuit of happiness must be directed outside, that is to say, in the world of objects and goods. It seems that we can only be happy if the external circumstances are so.
The true source of happiness is in us. Let’s say that we are biologically ready to be happy, as long as we work actively in that direction. The keyword here is: actively. Happiness is achieved with exercise, effort, and discipline.
So far you have learned a lot about the Science of Well-being in Neuroscience. But I invite you to learn more.
Neuroscience Reveals the Secrets of Happiness
(1) – Gratitude
There is a correlation between the number of certain chemicals in our brain and our emotional states. Thus, positive and pleasurable emotional states have a direct relationship to the amount of dopamine produced by our neurons. For example, what many antidepressants do is increase dopamine levels to elevate the state of well-being.
Gratitude also produces an increase in dopamine levels. And that’s why happy people have higher levels of happiness than average.
Curiously, this coincides with what spiritual and wisdom traditions have prescribed as a key element of living well. They came to this conclusion by observing the experience. Now, in the age of science, we know why, and that completes the circle of knowledge.
Feeling grateful helps us live the happiness we all desire in our lives.
In addition, it is a formula that does not depend on external circumstances or the moment. Gratitude depends only on ourselves and on how we ” look ” in our lives. Feeling grateful for what we have, for what others do or have done for us, or for life itself, is a kind of magic potion, of philosopher’s stone that all it touches becomes gold, gold to feel happiness.
To train this state of mind (this muscle) regularly in our life, in addition to contributing to our happiness and our physical and mental health, helps to better pass the tests if they present themselves. Simply focusing on the positive aspects of a situation and feeling recognition increases resilience and acceptance and makes sense of the difficult experiences life can bring.
Sometimes life becomes difficult and it seems that there is nothing to feel grateful for. No matter, just look for something to feel grateful for and there will be the same effects in our brain and in the segregation of dopamine. But it is also true that the difficulties we face at a given moment and the negative emotions that are linked can lead us to see nothing positive or to be grateful. That’s why this discovery is so important. Only by adopting this research intently, our brain changes its chemical interior and we begin to make the most positive emotional experience associated with this chemistry.
The feeling of appreciation in our lives and the visualization of our desires and positive experiences are all elements that can contribute to our well-being, our fulfillment, and our physical and mental health.
What are you waiting for? Begin to express your gratitude to God for life, for the breath of life and to extend this gratitude around you. Let us be grateful and you are happy!
(2) – A key: to share
If we really share the good things, we can share that well-being and talk about it. In the longer term, the practice of appreciating what is good can connect the brain to a more optimistic point of view.
As well as harmful events and stress can cause antisocial changes in the brain, a positive environment can redo the cerebral cabling to promote pro-social behavior and well-being.
Happiness tends to gather on social networks. In other words, happy people are associated with other happy people.
I would like to add this: have you not read what the Bible says in these terms: “Is it more blessed to give than to receive”? Love to share, especially positive ideas, good things, so we would be creating an atmosphere of happiness around us. ” He who makes others happy contributes to his own well-being himself. Because to sow the well-being for others; it is also to harvest this same well-being.” I’ve always said, ” life just gives us back, what we gave it to us. ‘’ (Thomson Dablemond).
(3) – Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is defined as the set of abilities, skills, and non-cognitive abilities that enable us to appreciate and express our emotions in a balanced way and to understand those of others.
This understanding of emotions will help us to guide our thinking and behavior, which affect a person’s ability to achieve their goals and cope with the problems and pressures of everyday life.
In fact, perception, judgment, and interpretation determine the emotion felt and the action or inaction that results. More of our ability to manage our emotions, the more we increase our chances of being happy.
People with a developed emotional intelligence are more balanced, more social, and happier, can cope better with adversity, have a great capacity for solidarity, and have a great ability to communicate and express their feelings appropriately.
Becoming aware of the direction our thoughts take, welcoming them, and bringing us back to the essentials and fullness of the present moment, enhances our ability to be happy and allows for better development of our full potential for personal well-being and excellence professional.
Do I have to summarize what implies emotional intelligence? It is about being empathetic, compassionate, open, and understandable without hypocrisy towards others.
(4) – The power of attitude
Attitude is a ” state of mind “, a mental predisposition, in fact, a way of being that we consciously or unconsciously choose to adopt in the face of a situation, a person, or a thing.
We cannot change the past or the events that have occurred, but we can change the way we perceive and react. We can choose our attitude and our way of living and reacting to them. An author used to say, “ When I change my thoughts, the world around me is transformed. “
(5) – Develop new habits
The training of the brain to be positive is not so different from the training of our muscles in the gym. The ability of the brain to change, even in adulthood, reveals that by developing new habits, it reconfigures itself. There is no age to develop new habits. It is not yet too late. Start cultivating Optimism. Begin to see life in a happy face. Developing such habits will help make you happy.
(6) – A zone of happiness in the brain
It is called “ precuneus “. It is a small area of the inner side of the parietal lobe of the cerebral cortex. Just a little retreat above and slightly behind our brain; a withdrawal that could contain our ability to happiness. Emotions, the perception of meaning, and the feeling of fulfillment are all related to the volume of the precuneus.
Happiness is a relatively stable subjective state in a given person, and it seems to depend on about half genetic factors. But the remaining 50% is our responsibility, which means that everyone can work for their own happiness, on their own scale. Neurons modulate their connections at every moment of our lives so that the precuneus could very well adjust its dimensions according to the experiences we make. Brain imaging studies have shown that the intensive practice of meditation increases the volume of the precuneus.
(7) – Train the brain to be happy
If you program your neurons so that they are more receptive to happiness, sooner or later you will be able to get away from sadness. On the contrary, if our behavior causes our gray matter to negatively interpret our daily lives, it will be impossible for us to enjoy the moments lived.
Negative thoughts affect your interactions with others, your perceptual ability, your memory, and your ability to create new neural connections.
On the contrary, if we are able to focus on the positive and consider the future, not as a source of problems, but rather as an ample list of contingencies, we will not only be happier but also more productive and responsive.
I know you want to learn more about the Science of Wellness in Neuroscience. Therefore, to be more practical, I would like to present the activities recommended by Neuroscience.
Activities Recommended by Neuroscience
Listen to music from the best moments of our life.
Music has the power to transport us where and when we listened to it. So, if we were happy when we heard this song, we just have to listen again to feel the emotions of then. In other words, music has the power to transport you back in time and remind you of specific events in your life. It solicits the contextual memory located in the heart of the hippocampus in your brain.
Smile even if you do not feel happy.
You can indeed “cheat” the brain with a smile and it will make you feel joy. Better, research has shown that the smile gives as much pleasure as 2000 bars of chocolate. When you are happy, you smile, you laugh. When you smile, your brain senses it and says, ” Hey, I’m smiling. It would mean that I am happy.” Thus, a smile even forced would impact in just a few minutes the mood of the brain.
Improve the diet.
There is a direct relationship between our moods and what we ingest. Eating a banana a day promotes a good mood, says nutritionist Miguel Angel Almodovar, author of “The Food of Happiness”. It offers a shortlist of foods that generate well-being: fish for its omega 3 fatty acids, dates, dried fruits, bananas for tryptophan, cocoa, guarana, matte grass for the Theobromine, and vitamins B and C.
A healthy and balanced diet contributes to the well-being of the brain. And a well-fed brain is a source of happiness. Your brain is happy when your diet is healthy. And if your brain is happy, it will reflect your whole being.
Walk 30 minutes a day if possible with a friend and in nature.
Contact with nature improves our mental health and creativity, memorization. Performing a sport frequently stimulates the blood circulation in the brain by making it younger, better nourished, responsive, flexible, and perfectly refined and improves self-esteem. Relax! Do Sport! Move! For your well-being, you need it.
Train the brain to build new paths to serenity.
The practice of meditation is considered a tool to improve our well-being. A high level of meditation helps to build better empathy and awareness. Sitting in a peaceful place, closing our eyes, and focusing our memory on one of our most delightful moments can help us improve our neural connections.
Have a long-term goal.
If we have goals, our vision of the world changes completely. Stress and worry are diminishing. We feel happier. Life makes sense.
Sleep well.
Lack of sleep brings us into depressive states. Conversely, sleeping well is synonymous with mental and physical well-being. If we know that depression generates sleep disorders, the reverse is just as true. Poor sleep also increases the risk of depression. But, how to improve his sleep? Here are some tips from Alex Korb: ” Enjoy the sunlight in the middle of the day. In the evening, sift the lights. Set up a comfortable room and have a ritual to prepare the brain for sleep. Going to bed at the same time every night and keeping a journal of gratitude (to bring out the positive of your days in writing) can also improve sleep. ”
Stop procrastination.
To carry out a task, three parts of the brain play a role: – The prefrontal cortex: which thinks about long-term goals. – The dorsal striatum: which reproduces preferentially what has been done in the past. – The kernel accumbens: who is the “party animal” of the group and who tends to dissipate easily. It is the accumbens kernel that wins in the case of procrastination. To adopt a good habit of no longer procrastinating, it is necessary to calm the stress. Why? Because it’s the stress that makes the prefrontal cortex inactive. So let’s start by reducing this stress. Simply, because, stress makes the prefrontal cortex inactive. Thus, you do not worry about your long-term goals but your well-being at the moment.
Second tip: take the first step. Indeed, starting up, even by doing a small act of the final goal, will mobilize resources and motivation to continue. The trick? Reverse this dynamic by starting your day with a small task related to your project. This will increase the feeling of control and decrease the feeling of stress.
Other Articles on the Science of Well-Being
– General Introduction – The Science of Well-being