Four Practices for a Happy and Prosperous Life

As a result, we may find ourselves on pathways that have the uncanny ability to either make or ruin our lives. This begs the question, "What makes humans successful and happy despite different circumstances?" to many of us, especially as AI becomes more and more common.

As a professional neuropsychologist, I investigate the relationship between the human brain and the behaviors that are connected to it—in a broad spectrum of individuals with an even larger range of medical issues. When the COVID-19 epidemic struck, I became even more fascinated by human behavior because I saw how people's daily routines were being upended and recognized that I was witnessing a ground-breaking sociological experiment.

In addition to seeing the effects that other people's behaviors were having on them—both favorably and unfavorably—I was also going through a period of collective pain myself and had to fight to maintain my composure.

Having stated that, I started by thoroughly studying behaviors in order to benefit both my patients and myself. How could I create a concrete, practical instrument that would assist people not only get through difficult times but also emerge stronger than before? The solution was a self-guided habit diary. At that point, I started 12 Months to Happier Habits and asked my friend Victoria Nicole Varela, who is very intelligent and talented, to help us give the project some creative life.

By assisting you in kicking bad habits to the curb and forming new, constructive ones, this diary helps you get back on track and present the best possible version of yourself. However, what really are habits? Why do they impact our everyday lives, and more significantly, our whole existence, in such a strong and deep way?

1. Live a Life with Meaning

You should concentrate on one thing that gives you a feeling of purpose each and every day. No matter how large or little the accomplishment, it raises our serotonin levels, which are associated to confidence. Furthermore, dopamine levels rise when we complete a task and experience an internal or external reward. And it's important to keep in mind that our purposes change as we get older.

In our twenties, our objective can be to enhance our professional ambitions by doing a homework project for a college course. In our 30s, it may resemble constructing or mending anything for a newly purchased house, or providing for a child's survival via food. After our 40s, we could consider volunteering or organizing a vacation with our loved ones, among other things. Every morning, ask yourself what one goal you would want to achieve. Bring it about. Before you turn in for the night, be in the moment with the sensation of having completed this.

2. Have the Will to Relocate

Numerous studies have shown the close connection between the heart and brain. Maintaining heart health is essential for lifespan since it has a direct effect on the brain and may lower the risk of dementia in the future. It may be forty minutes of walking seven days a week, twenty minutes of high-intensity interval training three days a week, or—my personal favorite—incorporating yoga into your weekly routine.

As we age, there are several alternatives that have shown to be beneficial in promoting changes in both physical and mental health. Additionally, I would want to mention that chair yoga and chair tai chi are only two of the numerous ways you may modify exercise if you have physical limitations. Victoria enjoys stretching in the bathtub. Furthermore, exercise is the natural medicine of choice for almost everyone since it produces all four of the feel-good neurotransmitters that were previously described.

Read Also: Transforming Your Life with Self-Improvement

3. Schedule Mindfulness Meditation Time

We need to be comfortable with who we are, in our own bodies, if we want to be successful and content in our day-to-day activities. With this technique, mindfulness meditation is helpful. Through sitting, lying down, or even walking meditation for 20 to 40 minutes a day, we may naturally balance our neurological systems. By doing this, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine are released, and inflammation in the body and brain is decreased.

Meditation strengthens our capacity to attention to and concentrate on tasks outside of meditation itself, allowing us to be more effective at whatever work we embark on. It has also been shown to elevate mood generally. It has been shown to shrink the amygdala in those who have cognitive changes later in life, improving our ability to respond to stress and anxiety.

4. Maintain Social Contact

It has been shown that loneliness increases the risk of death in older persons. Furthermore, effective ideas and the capacity to bring an idea to life always need the collaboration of many individuals. Humans are social animals, and when we interact with others in a healthy manner, our bodies produce more of the four neurotransmitters! Struggling every day to discover a method to communicate with someone should become second nature. This might include phoning a loved one, taking part in a group activity, setting a goal, volunteering in a group, etc.

According to study, even if you don't interact socially with the people there, as in a coffee shop, going there might still have positive emotional effects on us.

You may start incorporating these four habits into your life now that you have them. It might be simpler to start one habit at a time for a month in order to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the process. This is where you may benefit from 12 Months to Happier Habits. You'll be more effective at making change if you put the habit you want to develop in writing, create space in your life for it, and check in with yourself once a week.

When you make time for these habits in your life, I can't wait to see the person you were intended to be. Your best self is inside you, waiting for you to take the first step toward realizing it.