Happiness Hacks

We’re often told “just take a deep breath” in moments of stress. Are there science-backed benefits to this, or is deep breathing just a pacifier for adults to stop our nervous rambling?

Of all the ways we’ve evolved as a species, our response to anger is still hopelessly primitive. When we’re angry, our brain first suppresses our amygdala (the center for rational thought), then pumps us with adrenaline. As a result we become indiscriminately punitive, irrational, overconfident and eager to take action.

In previous Happiness Hacks I’ve covered the game-changing scientific findings on meditation, as well as a few tips for starting out. Now, thanks to David Cummings and Atlanta Tech Village, I have the opportunity to teach you this ancient art firsthand.

Last week we reviewed workplace characteristics that attract millennial talent. Here are some more.

American companies speak better Spanish than millennial, it appears; 63-68% of employers report struggling to attract and retain millennial talent. What are common dealbreakers to a job-hunting 20-something?

Speaking ill of a particular race or religion is taboo and disdainful, yet cutting down an entire generation isn’t just acceptable – it’s in vogue.

Toxic people are notoriously hard to detect. While a psychopath will key your car and a sociopath will steal your girlfriend, a toxic person will subtly siphon your happiness through bad communication, forgetfulness, negativity, and disinterest in your feelings or opinions.

“Are our employees happy?” may sound like the first slide in a humdrum HR PowerPoint, but in reality, the answer defines a company’s success. As Dr. Gustavo Grodnitzky writes, “culture trumps everything.”

Outside of a wine bar in California, Warren whispers an inside joke to his wife Edie, who snorts her Chardonnay in laughter. She playfully punches him. Their hands meet and clasp on the table. They’ll soon celebrate their 45th anniversary.

On the seventh day, God rested. He didn’t let the creeping dread of the upcoming work or school week sour his much-deserved day of R&R. How can we relax like God?

Modern dating is a daunting, digital labyrinth. Globalization and online dating have exploded our pool of potential partners to tens of thousands. How do we settle when someone better could be just a swipe or click away?

It’s a frustrating flaw in the human mind; during times of reflection, negative or awkward memories resurface to bully us like a street gang. How can we fight them back and sleep or meditate in peace? Science and spirituality each have an answer.

“Thank you” is a staple of our Southern vernacular, but overuse can dilute it into a powerless, obligatory platitude. Instead, huge power lies in sincerity and specificity.

Conceptually, watching TV should be the ultimate stress reliever. We relax our bodies and allow the screen to provide humor, intrigue and storytelling with no effort on our behalf.

It’s easy to scoff at the emergence of wealth therapists catering to glum one-percenters; what do they have to be sad about? They have everything!

All happiness stems from just two sources: pleasure and true happiness. Pleasures like cake or Coke provide fleeting spikes of joy, while true happiness found through personal growth provides snowballing bliss.

There’s a reason why we say “I love you” and not “I think I love you.” We know when we’re in love; the palpable euphoria simply overwhelms us beyond a doubt. So what potions does Cupid dip his arrows in?

If happiness were a TV show, “learning” would be played by Paul Giamatti – devoid of sex appeal and only appreciated much later. Although we often think of learning as a tedious avenue to an A+ or a promotion, are there unseen, powerful benefits on the road to erudition?

It’s during a rare feeling of supreme focus, performance and bliss that we outperform ourselves and even lose track of time. Neurologically speaking, what is “getting in the zone,” AKA flow?

This week we’ve had pie on Pi Day and green beer on St. Patty’s Day. Both provided tasty but short-lived pleasure; is there a special day dedicated to reconnecting with true happiness?

How do you feel when someone pulls out a phone mid-conversation? It’s a social sin so commonplace we now have a word for our reaction: “pizzled,” a combination of pissed and puzzled.

Last week we discussed the benefits of meditation. To destress and optimize your brain, here’s an intro to mindfulness meditation.

When we hear about meditation, we think of monks or men with man buns humming om on a mountaintop. So why do psychologists think cross-legged quiet time will become the next public health revolution like jogging or brushing teeth?