It’s easy to derive joy from big, exciting events and milestones, but mindfulness guru and former Google engineer Chade-Meng Tan recommends finding “thin slices of joy” in one’s day-to-day life for a happier, more joyous outlook.
Photo by Jennifer Williams.
According to Tan, by taking time to focus on the little things, you can train your brain to be more positive overall:
Usually these events are unremarkable: a bite of food, the sensation of stepping from a hot room to an air-conditioned room, the moment of connection in receiving a text from an old friend. Although they last two or three seconds, the moments add up, and the more you notice joy, the more you will experience joy, Tan argues. “Thin slices of joy occur in life everywhere… and once you start noticing it, something happens, you find it’s always there. Joy becomes something you can count on.” That’s because you’re familiarising the mind with joy, he explains.
Click the link below to read about the science behind this exercise, but you can start practising this type of mindfulness immediately. Noticing how good it feels to take a sip of water when you’re thirsty, or shower after a run, or any other pleasant, seemingly insignificant moment is all it takes to start shaping your mood into a more joyful one.
Google’s former happiness guru developed a three-second brain exercise for finding joy [Quartz]
You may have noticed Lifehacker Australia looks different. We’re keen to hear your thoughts on the redesign. Share your feedback here!
Comments