Positive Chemicals or Positive Psychology?

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Loretta Banks, One of Thousands of Career Coaches on Noomii.

You’ve heard the saying “thoughts are things”, but what if the things are really chemicals? Ongoing studies of our brain functioning have connected chemical production of serotonin, dopamine and endorphins, or lack there of, as the source of mental illness.

In an effort to balance out our brain chemistry, prescriptions are written for Prozac and Zanex to manage conditions such as depression and anxiety. While these drugs manage symptoms they don’t reprogram the functioning that led to the condition in the first place. What if instead of popping the next pill we were to look at our unique brain chemistry and focus on how these chemicals are triggered through our own body’s response systems, without any external intervention? What would we find as our own triggers? Better yet, how could we dose ourselves without a medical prescription?

A new division of study is called: positive psychology. In an article written in “Wake Up World” (2015), by Dr. Marianna Pochelli, ND she noted:

“The study of positive psychology is encouraging more researchers to study the proactive prevention of illness by identifying attitudes and personality traits that contribute to positive mood and increase quality of life. Specifically, the emerging field of ‘positive affect’ is focused on identifying contributing factors and various effects of positive subjective experiences and emotions, such as hope, optimism, and spirituality.”
This new research indicates that through our own emotional thoughts of happiness we can trigger more positive behaviors and actions.

Shifting your emotional experience is easier said than done. However, if we treat these 7 steps in the same manner we take the pill we are prescribed, the effects may shock you.

1) Write down three kind things you are going to do for YOURSELF today.
2) Write yourself a gratitude letter. “I am grateful for……”
3) Make a stranger smile.
4) Reach out to an old friend.
5) Hug someone.
6) Stand still for 5 minutes and notice the weather today – listen to the rain, feel the wind, admire the clouds, notice the warmth of the sun and be aware of the beauty that surrounds you in your environment.
7) Plant something or create something