Hardwiring Happiness Insights

The must-read analysis of the key insights from "Hardwiring Happiness" by Rick Hanson, Ph.D. — presented by Athena.

We are predisposed to hang onto bad news, but bringing good things into our brain is the key to psychological well-being, creativity and contentment.

Neuropsychologist Rick Hanson is convinced that how you process events inside your brain has just as much impact on your happiness as the events themselves. Unfortunately, the human brain has evolved to harbor a negativity bias, clinging to bad experiences while forgetting about or failing to fully appreciate good ones.

This tendency to focus on the negative might seem impossible to overcome, but understanding how the brain works and why can help you counteract this bias. Happiness, therefore, is as much a science as an art. With a commitment of only a few minutes a day, you can “change your brain for the better,” Hanson writes, and take charge of your own happiness.