Camilo Henríquez
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August 31, 2023
The quest for happiness and fulfillment is as old as human history itself.
Can we really control our mood to achieve these idealized goals?
This question is complex and intersects with various disciplines like psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy. I’ll explain what I know for now into these perspectives to offer a nuanced understanding of mood control and its role in living a fulfilling life.
CBT claims that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected. By changing one, you can influence the others. For example, challenging negative thought patterns can lead to a more positive mood, which works very well but it is difficult to achieve.
Mindfulness techniques teach us to observe our emotions without judgment. By doing so, we create a space between stimulus and response, allowing us to act rather than react. Accepting negative emotions can reduce their intensity and duration, as resistance often amplifies distress. This approach helps people become more resilient and less reactive to external circumstances, but requires discipline and guidance to achieve it for most people.
Positive psychology focuses on enhancing human strengths and well-being rather than fixing problems. It employs techniques like gratitude journals, savoring exercises, and strength identification to boost mood. The idea is to shift focus from what's wrong to what's right, thereby creating a more balanced and positive emotional state. The counter is the difficulty to tune into positive emotions when suffering is overwhelming.
Chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play a role in mood regulation. While you can't directly control these, lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, socialization, affection, and sleep can influence their levels.
The concept of brain plasticity suggests that our brains are not static but can change over time. Cognitive and behavioral interventions can actually rewire the brain, leading to lasting improvements in mood and well-being. This is empowering because it means that positive changes are not just temporary but can be ingrained into our neural pathways.
Stoicism teaches that while we can't control external events, we can control our reactions to them. By focusing on what we can control—our own thoughts and actions—we can attain a form of inner peace and emotional resilience. Stoicism provides practical tools like "negative visualization," where one imagines worst-case scenarios to appreciate what they have and prepare for challenges.
Existentialism suggests that meaning and fulfillment are self-created. While it acknowledges the inevitability of suffering, it also advocates for personal responsibility in choosing one's attitude. All suffering is worth it when it has purpose and meaning.
Striving for constant happiness could lead to a form of self-optimization that neglects the complexities and difficulties inherent in human life. It's important to balance the pursuit of happiness with self-compassion, otherwise we may end up judging ourselves for experiencing negative emotions instead of learning from them. As humans, we are wired to connect, but also to experience suffering.
While personal mood management is important, it's also crucial to consider the societal factors that influence well-being. Treating symptoms or taking an individual approach to every problem in our life would neglect the relevance of our social structures. Advocating for social change can be part of living a fulfilling life.
Self-Assessment: Understand your emotional triggers and patterns. Observe yourself, Journal, express your thoughts and feelings.
Consult a Professional: find a psychologist that matches your values or perception of the world. Book a session with me and let me help you 🙂
Lifestyle Changes: Exercise, sleep, and diet can have a significant impact on your mood.
Ongoing Learning: Keep reading content like this. Stay updated with the latest research and techniques in psychology and neuroscience.
While complete control over one's mood may not be feasible or healthy, various strategies can significantly influence it. The key is to find a balanced and ethical approach that aligns with your values and life circumstances.
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