The Science of Rediscovering Happiness in Everyday Habits
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to overlook the beauty and joy that surrounds us. We get caught up in the routine, and even the most wonderful aspects of our lives can start to feel mundane. But what if there was a way to peel back the layers of habituation and rediscover the joy hidden within our old habits?
Enter Tali Sharot and Cass Sunstein, the brilliant minds behind "Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There." In their groundbreaking exploration, they unveil the secrets of our brain's tendency to habituate and provide invaluable insights into how we can break free from its grasp to find joy in the everyday. Their findings have been summarized in this article: Brain science explains how to find joy hidden in your own habits.
The first revelation is a simple yet profound one:
1. Your life is better than you think.
Despite having blessings like a fulfilling career or loving relationships, we often fail to fully appreciate them due to habituation. Our brains become desensitized to the constant stimuli, whether it's the aroma of fresh bread or the excitement of a new romance. But it's not just the good things we habituate to; we also become blind to the injustices and inefficiencies around us.
So, how do we break free from this cycle of habituation and reignite our sense of joy? Sharot and Sunstein offer these key insights:
2. Break up good experiences
Breaking up enjoyable experiences into smaller bits can maximize joy. Whether it's taking shorter but more frequent vacations or listening to your favorite song with short breaks, disrupting the monotony can keep happiness alive.
3. Diversify your life
Variety is the spice of life, as they say. Introducing changes, big or small, can shake up our routines and prevent habituation. Whether it's exploring a new hobby or considering a career change, embracing diversity in our experiences enriches our lives.
4. Nip it in the bud
Small lies and digressions may seem harmless at first, but they can snowball into bigger issues if left unchecked. By addressing even minor deviations from truth and honesty, we can prevent habituation to dishonesty and maintain our integrity.
5. Become a dishabituation entrepreneur
Like all living creatures, we can quickly become accustomed to less-than-ideal circumstances. But, by becoming aware of habituation and its effects, we can challenge the status quo and advocate for change as dishabituation entrepreneurs.
This insightful exploration into the science of habituation challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions of happiness and empowers us to break free from the chains of routine. By incorporating these principles into our lives, we can uncover the joy hidden within our old habits and embrace each day with renewed enthusiasm.
To dive deeper into the fascinating world of habituation and happiness, I highly recommend reading the full article here. It's a thought-provoking journey that will forever change how you view the world.
Happiness Posts is published by Darin M. Klemchuk founder of Klemchuk PLLC, an intellectual property law firm located in Dallas, Texas and co-founder of Engage Workspace for Lawyers, a coworking space for lawyers. He also publishes the Ideate (law) and Elevate (law firm culture) blogs. You can find more information about his law practice at his firm bio and also at his BioSite.
