How many of us realize that our brains, the powerful organs that guide us through life, aren’t actually built to keep us happy all the time? In fact, they’re designed for something entirely different: survival. In The Happiness Cure, Anders Hansen invites us to explore our emotional lives through the lens of neurobiology, helping us understand why we often feel unhappy, even while living in a comfortable, modern world.
Hansen takes us on a journey into the brain, explaining how it’s wired to react to challenges, not to keep us in a constant state of joy. Feelings like stress and anxiety aren’t signs that something is wrong with us; they’re ancient survival tools our ancestors relied on to stay alive. However, in today’s world, these emotional responses don’t always fit our everyday experiences, leaving us feeling out of sync with our emotions.
What makes The Happiness Cure stand out from other self-help books is its focus on practical, science-backed solutions. Hansen’s advice is refreshingly simple: exercise more, get outdoors, and spend time with other people. These basic activities, though often overlooked, are vital for improving our mental health because they work in harmony with the way our brains evolved. The book explains how these habits help balance the systems in our brain that control mood and stress.
The main point of this book is our brains are wired for survival, not for a life of endless happiness. Hansen doesn’t promise that we’ll never feel down, but he offers real, actionable insights into why we feel the way we do and what we can do about it. The result is a practical guide to navigating modern life with a clearer understanding of how our biology influences our emotions.
The Happiness Cure reminds us that while realistically we can’t chase happiness nonstop, we can make small, impactful changes to live more in tune with how our brains are designed. Highly recommended for anyone curious about the science of happiness and how to feel better in their day-to-day lives.
Summary
We’re living longer, healthier lives than ever, with knowledge and entertainment at our fingertips. Yet, despite these advancements, many people still struggle mentally. Why?
The answer lies in our biology. We’ve forgotten that we’re still wired for survival in ways that don’t always fit our modern lives. More people are seeking help for mental health issues, but depression rates remain high. Even with medical and economic progress, our minds aren’t catching up.
The Happiness Trap
One reason for this is our flawed perception of happiness. We often measure our lives against others, setting unrealistic expectations. Happiness isn’t about constant joy; it’s about balancing positive experiences with self-awareness. When we chase happiness as a goal, it slips away. True fulfillment comes from understanding what you’re good at and using those strengths to help both yourself and others.
We Are Survivors
Our ancestors survived through sharp awareness of danger, and we’ve inherited those traits. Even though our world is safer now, our brains still react as if we’re living in constant threat. This explains why we sometimes feel anxious, even when the risks aren’t real.
Why We Feel
Our emotions stem from sensory information that hits the brain’s amygdala before logic kicks in. This is why we often react emotionally first. Feelings guide us to act in ways that ensure survival. Interestingly, our brains also adjust our memories to help us fit into social groups, altering how we perceive ourselves and others to enhance our chances of belonging.
Understanding Anxiety
Anxiety is the brain’s way of warning us about potential threats, even if they aren’t immediate. Severe anxiety, like PTSD, keeps the brain in a state of heightened alert, reliving trauma as if it’s ongoing. However, talking about these experiences in a calm, safe environment can help lessen their impact over time.
The Power of Memory
Memory helps us survive by prioritizing important experiences during sleep. Our brains don’t always show us the world as it is, but rather how we need to see it for survival.
Talking as Therapy
The brain works by updating memories to match the appropriate level of fear, adjusting them to be more in line with reality. Memories are flexible and should be revised based on the context in which they are recalled. This helps the brain provide better guidance for future situations.
Discussing and revisiting difficult memories in a safe, supportive environment allows the brain to update them, gradually make them feel less threatening. It’s important to talk about these experiences in a space where you feel calm and secure. If the memories are particularly painful, a good first step is to write them down.
When to Seek Help
If anxiety limits your life, making you avoid activities, it’s time to seek help. Therapy helps you understand that your brain may exaggerate threats, allowing you to pay less attention to the thoughts fueling anxiety.
The Root Cause of Depression
Depression often stems from prolonged stress, especially when you feel powerless to change the situation. Genetics can make some more vulnerable, but the brain interprets long-term stress as a threat, leading to feelings of withdrawal and hopelessness.
Depression is linked to several biological factors, including:
- An overactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
- Inflammation
- Low levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline
- Low levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
- Altered activity in the insula
- Increased activity in the amygdala
The Role of Physical Activity
Exercise plays a crucial role in managing anxiety and depression. Physical activity regulates the body’s stress system (the HPA axis) and strengthens brain regions like the hippocampus (memory) and frontal lobe (critical thinking). Over time, regular exercise lowers stress hormones and boosts mood-related neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
Physical activity seems to counteract many of depression factors. Exercise:
- Increases levels of dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and BDNF
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect over time, as energy is redirected away from the immune system, which becomes less active
- Promotes the formation of new brain cells in the hippocampus
- Normalizes the HPA axis
- Stabilizes blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipoproteins, while improving lung capacity and enhancing the heart and liver function
Building Confidence Through Exercise
Physical activity boosts confidence and resilience by reinforcing our belief in our ability to complete tasks. Regular movement and social interaction help build mental and emotional strength, providing protection against anxiety and depression.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review.
Author: Dr. Anders Hansen
Publication date: 29 October 2024
Number of pages: 224 pages
