Written by Emma Seppala.
Research shows that we have more positive experiences than negative ones, yet research also shows that our brain tends to focus on the negative aspects of our lives. We take the good things for granted and blow up the problems. As a consequence, we tend to fall prey to the petty concerns and annoyances in our lives, letting them determine our well-being. Veterans I’ve worked with who have returned from the hellish experiences of war call our problems “First World Problems” (e.g. the car won’t start, co-workers are annoying, or it’s raining). As a consequence, our stress levels increase and we aren’t as happy as we could be.
How can we capitalize on the gifts in our lives instead of letting negative experiences overshadow our well-being? By embracing, rather than resisting, the challenges.
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