It’s ok to not be happy all of the time. In fact, it would be weird if you were. We all have days (or weeks, and sometimes months) where things just don’t go our way. Sometimes worry and guilt can get in the way, too. And sometimes this can actually be a good thing. Don’t just take our word for it, take it from UCLA Neuroscience Researcher Alex Korb’s latest insights:
“Despite their differences, pride, shame, and guilt all activate similar neural circuits, including the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, amygdala, insula, and the nucleus accumbens. Interestingly, pride is the most powerful of these emotions at triggering activity in these regions — except in the nucleus accumbens, where guilt and shame win out. This explains why it can be so appealing to heap guilt and shame on ourselves — they’re activating the brain’s reward center.”
Find things that you are grateful for, it can boost dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. Gratitude towards others can have a lasting impact to make social interactions more enjoyable and fulfilling. Thinking about what you are grateful for helps to focus on the things in your life that are positive instead of focusing on what may not be going right. Even if nothing seems to be going right in your life right now, just searching for something to be grateful for can help your outlook to be more positive.
Creating this positive feedback loop can also extend to your relationships. But, after all this is just a blog post. You are in charge of your own happiness. We’re just here to support you in achieving it. Continue searching for your own happiness and we think you’ll find that your journey will have a positive effect on others.
