Note: you may also be interested in the original article 5 Ways To Make Your Brain Happier (as this article is part 2).

1. Brainwave entrainment

Though brainwave entrainment is not for everyone, it definitely can be used to create positive changes in brainwaves with tremendous results. I currently use the program Neuro-Programmer 2 Professional and have found it enhances the quality of my focus, deepness of my sleep, and heightens my awareness.

I have experimented with various brainwaves, each has their purpose. If you are stressed out, the alpha rhythm will definitely make your brain feel calmer, happier, and more relaxed. Where as a person with ADHD who has too many relaxing brain waves would benefit and feel better using the beta brainwave range in their training.

If you ever consider buying Neuro-Programmer 2 (an awesome program) or Mind Stereo (another awesome program), I’d appreciate if you do it through my “recommended products” section.

2. Neurofeedback

The aim of neurofeedback is to be consciously able to produce healthy brainwave patterns. If you don’t know about what neurofeedback could potentially do for your brain, I suggest checking out the Biocybernaut Institute and reading about the technology and testimonials. Neurofeedback is different from brainwave entrainment in the fact that you consciously learn to ‘shift’ your brainwaves where as brainwave entrainment causes your brainwave pattern to match that of a stimulus.

With brainwave entrainment you are forming new neural-pathways, but you aren’t learning to consciously control your brainwaves. It also promotes natural flexibility and strengthens existing brainwave patterns. Though neurofeedback may be quite expensive, if you’ve got the money, it could prove to be one of the best investments you’ve ever made.

3. Meditation

If you haven’t heard that meditation is good for your brain, it’s about time you crawled out from that rock. Proper meditation practices have been scientifically proven to make a person happier. Meditation increases brain activity in the left-prefrontal cortex which is associated with advanced thought processing and positive emotion.

Testimonials from experienced meditators say that the meditation practice “gives them more control over thoughts and emotional responses.” The great thing about meditation is that it’s totally free and will make your brain happier. Scientific testing in the United States reveal that areas of experienced meditator’s brains associated with good mood and positive feelings are MUCH more active than the rest of the population.

This is because they put forth the necessary effort via meditation to make their brains’ happier;) Experienced meditators really are happier and calmer than other people. Apparently, the amount of time spent meditating also has an effect on exactly how happy you become.

“We can’t rule out the possibility that there was a pre-existing difference in brain function between monks and novices,” says Prof. Davidson (a neuroscientist), “but the fact that the monks with the most hours of meditation showed the greatest brain changes gives us confidence that the changes are actually produced by mental training. Meditation opens up the possibility for the brain to be altered intentionally. Just as running and weight training shape the body, meditation shapes the gray matter.

4. Goal setting

Goal setting triggers mental activity in the brain’s left hemisphere which is associated with advanced thought processing and positive emotions. I don’t know about you, but just the process of goal setting gives me a huge jolt of energy and excitement. Though just setting goals will give you feelings of happiness, to make that happiness permanent, you must actually complete them.

It will keep a successful cycle going composed of: goal setting>>> happiness>>>completing the goal>>>feeling even happier & fulfilled>>>setting a new goal. When you set goals and accomplish them, feelings of happiness naturally follow. Setting goals gives your life a direction and purpose. Once you have set your goals, work toward achieving them consistently for a happier brain.

5. Learn to laugh, haha

Everyone loves a good comedy. Laughter releases brain hormones called “endorphins” which can be described as the brains natural anti-depressants. People that have the tendency to laugh a lot not only appear happier, but actually have happier brains! So, which came first the happy brains or the laughter? Well, that doesn’t really matter, as long as you keep laughing, you should have a happier predisposition.

Laughter lowers harmful chemicals such as cortisol and catecholamines, which are both released by the adrenal glands when feeling stressed. So do the math: lowered stress chemicals = lowered stress = happier mood. You could be even supercharging your happiness if you practice something like “Laughter Meditation” for which I included a link: laugh your brain into a better mood.

Related posts:

  1. 5 Ways To Make Your Brain Happier
  2. How To Improve Your Mental Focus

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