The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

To Understand any Situation …

— Identify the problem?
THE PATHWAY TO HAPPINESS
“A PRACTICAL APPROACH”
— Identify the cause of the problem?

— Find all possible solutions?

Prof. Anil Mishra
Department of Chemistry — Apply the best solution?
University of Lucknow
Lucknow

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Happiness…… Happiness……
— What is Happiness? If you want to be
◦ An emotional state.
HAPPY
◦ How you feel about yourself and the world.
◦ Inner Peace. Then,
◦ Mental Peace. BE…..
◦ ……….. NO ONE CAN STOP YOU

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Happiness…… Disclaimers for Happiness

— It is very simple to be HAPPY but very — Nobody is perfect, all of us are students
difficult to be SIMPLE — Happiness is not really hypothetical
— Plenty of people miss their share of — The definition of Happiness varies from person
happiness, not because they never found to person
it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it. — It is also usually dynamic in the same person
— Happiness is a journey rather than a
destination

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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

Hindrances to Happiness Understanding Worry

ANXIETY
WORRY
— What is worry?

STRESS — What are common examples of worry?

— Why do people worry?
— Is there a difference between useful
worry and useless worry?
— How can you control worry?

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What is Worry? What is Worry?

— Worry refers to the thoughts, images Worry is…
and emotions of a negative nature in — To feel uneasy or concerned about
which vague mental attempts are made to something
avoid anticipated threats ◦ Be troubled.
— Excessive worry is the main component
of generalized anxiety disorder.

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What are we worried about? Happiness……

— Criticism — Because
◦ What would people say…
◦ If your happiness depends on what someone else
does you definitely have a problem
◦ People are saying all sorts of things about me….
– Unjust criticism is often a disguised compliment.
— If people say something good about
– It often means that you have aroused jealousy and envy.
you
– Remember that no one ever kicks a dead dog. ◦ You feel good
– Do the very best you can; and then put up your old umbrella — If people say something bad about you
and keep the rain of criticism from running down the back of
your neck.
◦ You feel bad
— This means you have given the keys of
your happiness to others

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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

What are we worried about? What are we worried about?

— Humiliation — Anxiousness
◦ Let's never try to get even with our enemies, ◦ What if…..
because if we do we will hurt ourselves far ◦ What would happen if…..
more than we hurt them.
– Being Humiliated
– Feeling Humiliated

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WORRY!!!!!!!! The Question?

— This is one of the biggest cause of stress — Does Stress have an impact on diseases?
◦ Break the worry habit before it breaks you

— Worry is a total waste of time. It doesn’t

change anything but ….. Surely keeps us
very very busy doing nothing

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The Answer How…

— Yes Stress causes plenty of diseases.. — Mainly by affecting the immune system
— The immune system protects the body from invading
disease organisms and other foreign bodies that do
not belong in the body known as antigens or
pathogens.

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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

Physiology of Stress Hypertension

— Nervous System — Stress causes the body to release
◦ Central Thyroxin, Aldosterone and Oxytocin,
◦ Peripheral which all enable the body to constrict
– Autonomic
– Sympathetic blood vessel and retain fluids resulting in a
– Parasympathetic much greater blood volume.
— Endocrine System — As stated previously, this added pressure
◦ Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
◦ Sympathetic Adrenal Medulla (SAM) response
over time can cause severe damage to
fragile arteries.

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Ulcers Strokes
— Originally thought only to be caused by food — Apoplexy (also termed stroke) is a lack of
and stress, we now know that stress is a
factor, but the bacteria H pylori is the true oxygen in the brain resulting form a
culprit. blockage or rupture of one of the arteries
— However, during a stressful time, there is that supply it.
decreased blood flow and
constriction/bracing of the smooth muscles — Stroke is related to hypertension, which
of the digestive tract, enabling the bacteria may also result in cerebral hemorrhage
to attain a better foothold against the host – (rupture of blood vessels).
in turn – creating an ulcer.
◦ An ulcer is a cut or fissure in the wall of the — Stroke is also related to ones dietary
stomach, duodenum or other parts the intestines. habits.
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Cancer How Stress Can Causes Cancer

— Cancer is the rapid growth of abnormal — Stress switches on a gene that speeds up
cells. the spread of the disease
◦ Therefore – when the host is under chronic ◦ Several studies have indicated that stress
stress, ones Cortisol levels continue to be triggers a 'master switch' gene called ATF3
elevated, decreasing the individuals ability to ◦ This corrupts the immune system, giving
heal and repair and decreasing the production cancer a fast-track around body.
of white blood cells, in turn, leaving the
person more susceptible to cancerous cell
take over.

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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

How Stress Can Causes Cancer Stress and Immunology

— Stress switches on a gene that speeds up — Stress can decrease your white blood cell
the spread of the disease count which will lead to poor health.
◦ Several studies have indicated that stress — Immunological system includes the following
triggers a 'master switch' gene called white blood cell groups which identify and
Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) destroy foreign substances:
◦ This corrupts the immune system, giving ◦ Phagocytes-destroyers
cancer a fast-track around body. ◦ Lymphocytes
– T cells
– B cells

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Stress and Disease So, what is Stress?

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Worry, Stress and Anxiety? What is Anxiety?

— Worry leads to Anxiety and Stress — A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease
about something with an uncertain
— Multiplication of Worry leads to Anxiety outcome.
— A strong desire or concern to do
something or waiting for something to
— Multiplication of Anxiety leads to Stress
happen.

— Stress and Anxiety therefore are

Accumulation of Worry
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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

Major Work and Life Stressors Your Life is full of Situations

Situations That you Cannot Manage become
Problems
WORK This Creates Negative Feelings in Your Mind Leading to
Fear
OTHER This Mild Fear in Subconscious Mind Becomes
HEALTH Worry
JOB Worry Builds Up Pressure In your Mind & Body That Is
Stress
Effect of stress on Body is called
FINANCIAL Strain
FAMILY
EXAMS And on your Mind is called
Tension
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So…. Send a note to yourself

— Worrying does not take away Tomorrow’s — Worry will never change the outcome.
troubles
— It definitely takes away Today’s peace

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Most Important The Most Important Word

WORRY
ACCEPTANCE
When things are not happening the way we want

STRESS Anger

Acceptance
Accept the way things are happening

Tolerance
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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

The Most Important Word The Most Important Word

Facing Uncertainty Somebody is doing better than you
Fear Envy

Acceptance Acceptance
Accept the Uncertainty Accept and try to do better

Adventure Inspiration
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How Can We Be Happy? Spirituality

— Temple, Church, Mosque etc
— Live with an Attitude of Gratitude
— Help others
◦ Be Grateful for what you have. — Spend quiet time every day
◦ Only gratitude can deal with negativity. — Be thankful
◦ Start counting your blessings. — Think positively
◦ If you are able to see and understand this — Put your faith to work!
message you are one of the luckiest person ◦ "I am at peace in the midst of chaos or madness. No
on earth. Be grateful ! Be happy !! person, place or thing has the power to upset me."

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Destiny and Choice Destiny and Choice

— Destiny are situations that are beyond — Situations will remain the same.
your control. — How you respond to those situations is
◦ You did not choose them.They came to you completely your choice.
— Your response to the situation is your ◦ If you have a lemon make lemonade.
choice – You can also make a pickle out of it.
◦ Response is not destiny ◦ It’s your choice
◦ What you choose is your choice.
◦ Therefore your choice makes your future
destiny
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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

Self Confidence Managing Worry

Believing in Yourself — Stay in the Present
— The belief in one’s own capability to — Live in “Day-Tight Compartments.“
accomplish a task and select an effective ◦ Just live each day until bedtime.
approach to solve a problem. — Life is like driving a car
◦ You see through the windscreen
◦ Sometimes you look through the rear view
mirror too….

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Managing Worry Managing Worry

— If you are depressed — Ask yourself
◦ What is the worst that can possibly
◦ You are living in the past happen if I can't solve my problem?
— If you are anxious
◦ You are living in the future ◦ Prepare yourself mentally to accept the
worst--if necessary.
— If you are at peace
◦ You are living in the present ◦ Then calmly try to improve upon the worst--
which you have already mentally agreed to
accept.

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Learn to RELAX Coping Strategies

— Rest before you get tired. — Changing your attitude
— Learn to relax at your work. ◦ External things will not change.You can
change your attitude
— Learn to relax at home.
— Remember, no one was ever killed by lack
— Whatever you resist will persist
of sleep. It is worrying about insomnia — Forgive and Forget
that does the damage--not the insomnia.

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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

The Power of Thought How thoughts works for you

— All behavior begins and ends as thoughts
Think
— Thoughts are unavoidable

— Our thoughts influence our actions

Act Feel

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Cognitive Thoughts Meditation

§ Patanjal Dhyana § Kayotsarga

One negative thought §

§
§
Anapan Sati
Smriti Upasthan
Vipashyana
§
§
§
Tratak
Suryasamyam
Adarshdhyana (mirror)
§ Preksha Dhyana § Swaminarayan Dhyana
leads to another……….. § Jain Dhyana § Arup Dhyana
then another……….. § Spand Dhyana § Purnayoga Dhyana
§ Mantra Dhyana § Atit Dhyana (past)
then another ….. § Nabhi Dhyana § Bhavidhyana (future)
§ Swapna Dhyana
§ Nidra Dhyana § Sarpalanchan Dhyana
§ Yoga nidra, Nyas § Samarpana Dhyana
Pretty soon you have ruined your §
§
Kriya Yoga
Mrutyu Dhyana
§
§
Tathata
Hoo-Dhyana (Dynamic Meditation)
entire life §
§
T.S Meditation
Kundalini
§
§
Sahaj Dhyana
Your own system

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Conscious Breathing Conscious Breathing

— Conscious Breathing helps to slow down or to — Need to learn breathing technique until it
even stop the stress response! becomes an automatic habit!

— Takes time to practice, learn well and use daily. — Practice several times a day for 1 minute!
◦ No Schedule needed

— Often, people do not learn how to breathe — Breathe Consciously every time you are waiting
correctly,and do not use it consistently… for something! Phone, kids, in line, at work…

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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

Even more Ideas…. 12 Secrets of Happiness

— Let go of perfectionism — Accept WhatYou Have :
— Learn to be flexible ◦ NOBODY GETS MORE OR BEFORE

— Relax your standards — Enjoy What You Do and without

expectations
— Focus less on pleasing others and more
on pleasing yourself — Live For Today and in this present
moment
— Stay away from negative people
— Choose Happiness
— Surround yourself with upbeat, flexible
— Improve Relationships… Always
and fun people. appreciate, never criticize
— Don't Compare, but BeYourself
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12 Secrets of Happiness Ann Landers said…

said…
—
—
Preserve health and monitor it
Stop Worrying :
“People take
—
◦ THIS WILL ALSO GO AWAY
Get Organized and financial management
advantage of
—
—
Think Positive
Moral values :
you only with
◦ DO ONLY THOSE THINGS TO OTHERS,
WHICH…
your
— Spiritual practices
permission”
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Words of Wisdom Happiness……

— Sometimes its better to bunk a class and Happiness is a journey,
enjoy with friends, because today when I not a destination
look back, marks never make me laugh,
but memories do…. There is no better time to be happy
Than….
Dr. Abdul Kalam NOW!

So BE HAPPY NOW….
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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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The Pathway to Happiness “A Practical Approach”

Smile! Silence!
— Smiling is the main way to tell if — Silence avoids so many problems
someone’s happy… but only if they
are real smiles
— Smile solves many problems

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Prof. Anil Mishra, Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow

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