The Daily Boost #359
Are you Velcro or Teflon?
Did you know that there’s a simple, free, and effective way to train your nervous system to become Velcro for good experiences and Teflon for unpleasant events?
The method is cultivating joy. Psychologist and trauma expert Peter Levine says joy is an experience of expansion, whereas fear is one of deep contraction. Cultivating our capacity for joy increases our capacity to face difficulties.
“Imagine if every time you stretched a rubber band,” he says, “it would become more resilient, so rather than wearing out, it would increase its capacity, able to take more stretches without breaking.”
That’s what joy can do for us. “The more we increase this capacity, the less overwhelming emotions will be,” Levine says.
Savoring even the smallest moments of happiness and joy can mightily boost your well-being. What’s such a moment that you’ve experienced lately? Leave a comment. Hardwire the joy so that it sticks!
(My thanks to Ari Honarvar at Grateful Living.)
The Gentle Nudge
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Yesterday my husband and I arrived in Sweden to visit our daughter and her family. My daughter and I drove to our grandson's daycare. When we walked in the door, he saw us and squealed with delight. My daughter squatted down, and he ran pell-mell into her arms for a big hug. Heart-melting moment of pure joy that I got to witness and cherish.
I take delight in and find joy in nature, especially on my morning walks with my dogs. This time of year, seeing the hardwoods ignite the pine forests with color or watching a fog bank nestle on the river.