Modern Wisdom #903 - Rick Hanson - The Science Of Rewiring Your Brain To Be Less Miserable
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Feb 15, 2025 
Dr. Rick Hanson, a psychologist and author, shares insights on how to rewire our brains for happiness. He discusses the concept of negativity bias and how engaging with positive experiences can counteract it. Listeners learn about the HEAL framework for deepening joy and the importance of embracing both positive and negative emotions. Hanson emphasizes the need for mindfulness and appreciating the present moment to combat distractions. He also explores the impact of personal effort on emotional healing and growth.
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Neural Basis of Mental States
- Mental states correlate with neural activity, forming the basis of Rick Hanson's work.
- Experiences create lasting changes in the brain, shaping our traits and tendencies.
Fostering Beneficial States
- Focus on fostering beneficial mental states, not just positive ones.
- Address negative emotions like sadness, fear, anxiety, and shame.
Negativity Bias and Rewiring
- Our brains have a negativity bias, clinging to bad experiences.
- We can rewire our brains by increasing top-down regulation and promoting positive emotional learning.