The great news, though, is that transformation can be achieved in a way that is stable, non-striving and based more on being than doing. Being is difficult to quantify, however, paying attention with loving-kindness to our being, can set us on the upward spiral of positivity and may be key to finding stability and peace. (Fredrickson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7dFDHzV36g)

Siegel states, “We know that what you do with your mind – how you focus your attention, intentionally shape your thoughts and purposefully calm your emotions – can directly change your brain. That’s the key to neuroplasticity – how our experiences, including what we do with our minds, actually change the activity and even the re-modeling of our brains”

To help focus your mind and keep you on the upward spiral, here are a few tips from neuroscientist Alex Korb:

Smile – smiling increases positive feelings

Splash cold water on your face – slows down your heart rate by indirectly stimulating the Vagus nerve

Stand up straight – a German study showed that when people stood in a confident posture they were more decisive

Take a deep breath and breath out slowly – this helps activate the calming parasympathetic nervous system

Activate the gratitude neural circuits – take a moment every day to write down three things you’re grateful for.

Go out in the sunshine – warm sunshine on our skin activates the upward spiral neural networks.

Be kind to yourself, and if you can’t be kind, be neutral – its way better than being mean!