Insight: Cortisol is released when you experience stress.
Insight: If stressors remain in the forefront of your thoughts, high cortisol levels are retained.
Insight: Doing something artistic or creative can reduce cortisol.
Insight: Being outside in nature reduces stress and cortisol levels.
Insight: People that are open to the idea of growth are most likely to grow.
Insight: Learning about neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change and develop) at a young age can help reduce stress, anxiety, and improve school grades.
Definition: The tendency to get accustomed to nice things.
Example: The joy of getting new things doesn't last.
Insight: Accumulation of wealth and material goods is not a sustainable way to promote long term happiness.
Insight: The fulfilment we get from giving to others tends not to decay.
Principle: Give to others.
Insight: We value things more then we make them ourselves.
Insight: We tend to forget that effort leads to enduring satisfaction from completion.
Reference: Research from Harvard and Duke: assembly of IKEA storage box made participants value the item 63% higher than those provided with a preassembled box.
Example: Add an egg.
Example: Scheduling a workout with friends reduces the chance that you will skip it.
Definition: Unfinished business sticks with us.
Insight: Regardless of how productive we are, unfinished business will always occupy our thoughts.
Insight: The Zeignarik Effect can help motivate us to action, but causes anxiety when there is a lot to be done.
Principle: Taking positive breaks e.g. meeting friends, can provide us with the energy to get more done.
