In our era of abundance, where information, goods, and status are readily available, health specialists argue that our genes haven’t adapted to this modern environment. The convenience of picking up food at a grocery store, for example, contrasts with our historical ways of obtaining food.
They highlight the discrepancy between our current lifestyle and how we lived in the past, impacting our satisfaction and rewiring the brain for happiness. Unlike our ancestors who would celebrate a successful hunt, our modern actions, like buying grass-fed beef at a store, don’t elicit the same triumph.
Retooling our brain’s reward systems becomes crucial for living happier lives in our evolved environment.
Discover three research-backed tips to achieve this and adapt our mental frameworks without reverting to survival-like behaviors such as hunting for food.
- Slow down
According to scientists, our brains are naturally inclined towards tasks that offer quick repeatability, as seen in the popularity of slot machines in casinos. Despite the temporary surge of dopamine, such activities don’t contribute to long-lasting happiness.
Therefore, the advice is simple: slow down! Apply this principle to various aspects of life, including food choices. Opting for minimally processed foods that require longer chewing and are more filling per calorie can lead to consuming fewer calories, as research indicates. You may opt for a healthier diet such as the Vegan Ketogenic Diet.
This philosophy extends to purchasing decisions. Buy items in person rather than online, or implement a three-day holding period before finalizing an online purchase.
By inserting a pause into the buying process, individuals are likely to make more intentional and satisfying choices. Even not saving credit card information on websites can deter impulsive buying. It’s all about taking baby steps toward a more deliberate and fulfilling lifestyle.
- Spend more time in nature
Spending time in nature has been proven to boost happiness, as evidenced by a recent study in Austria where people reported increased happiness and reduced feelings of loneliness when outdoors in 2020.
Walking through natural green spaces has been shown to decrease rumination, a factor linked to depression and anxiety, compared to urban environments. We have an article dedicated to the benefits of starting your day with a walk outside in nature if you want to learn more about it.
The positive impact of nature on our brains is attributed to various factors, and fractals play a significant role. Fractals are repeating patterns found in nature, like the structure of a snowflake or the branches of a tree. Research suggests that these repeating patterns have a calming effect on people.
A word of caution: Resist the temptation to use your phone while in nature.
Research indicates that using phones in natural settings nullifies the benefits of being outdoors. So, consider leaving your device at home or switching it to airplane mode to fully enjoy the mental and soothing benefits of nature.
- Challenge yourself more often
Specialists advocate for stepping out of your comfort zone as a key to lasting happiness. While the comfort zone may feel safe, taking on challenging tasks offers greater rewards and a sustained sense of happiness.
Make an annual commitment to engaging in physically demanding tasks in nature with a 50-50 chance of failure. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese ritual “misogi,” which involves standing under an icy waterfall for body-mind purification, these challenges push individuals to the edges of their perceived capabilities.
Humans used to regularly face challenging situations, each experience expanding their perceived limits. In the modern age, such moments are scarce. The idea is to embrace short-term discomfort for long-term benefits, fostering personal growth and confidence.
By progressively challenging yourself each year, you’ll experience exponential growth without even realizing it.
In summary
Our environment has evolved faster than our biology, potentially leading to increased anxiety and dissatisfaction. If you find yourself feeling this way, it’s not a personal failing, it’s a response to the rapid changes in our surroundings.
However, by altering your experiences, you can retrain your brain to trigger lasting feelings of contentment. This essentially involves biohacking your happiness, and you don’t need any fancy gadgets to achieve it.