Science of Satisfaction, The (Alexandra de Scheel)

Author: Alexandra de Scheel

Page Count:

Published Date: 2013

ISBN: TBA

Format: Trade Paperback

Price: TBA

The Science and Methodology of Getting What You Want, Wanting What You Have, and Being Happy with It

Synopsis

Using principles of positive psychology, humanism, industrial-organizational psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, social psychology, behaviorism, the biopsychosocial perspective, neurology, biology, chemistry, physiology, life coaching/wellness education, philosophies of various cultures, and personal experience this book provides a scientifically proven, easy-to-follow, manual for happiness and life satisfaction.

Why Happiness Matters

Everybody wants to be happy. Even if you aren’t immediately aware of this innate desire, happiness is essential to your well-being. Those who seek contentment and satisfaction, a sense of purpose, relief from depression or despair, increased productivity, empathy, understanding, personal growth and physical health and well-being are all in search of the same thing: happiness.

The good news is that long-term happiness is very achievable. Countless scientific, psychological, and spiritual persuasions have methods for finding happiness. The even better news is that some of these psychological hypotheses overlap with successful spiritual practices which have scientific research that has proven them to be effective. Unfortunately, the research is often in terms you would only understand by dedicating the time to study everything encompassed by a specific degree (or two, or three…), the spiritual practices are often laid out in veiled hypothetical storylines that can be even more difficult to decipher and the psychological theories from various perspectives may take more time to wade through than the scientific research would take to understand. You would have to spend an enormous amount of time in all three areas in order to find the commonalities which have proven effective. Very few people have occasion or inclination for this, and that is quite understandable.

That is why this book does the work for you and lays out those common threads in an easy-to-read, easy-to-follow format. People often feel guilty spending even the slightest amount of time it would take to read this book or see a professional in order to find something like happiness within their own lives. Many are staunch in their belief that happiness, self-actualization, or fulfillment is a selfish goal, one facilitated by our individualistic society and that people should focus only on being productive, contributing to society, helping others or their loved ones (unless you are physically ill and then you are “allowed” to seek treatment from a doctor).

The problem is that productivity, empathy, helping others, caring for and interacting with loved ones appropriately and physical health and wellbeing are all linked to and, in some cases, dependent upon happiness. Happiness and a decrease in negative emotions or stress has been shown to fight off or prevent diseases ranging from the progression of cancer or HIV to psychological disorders to heart problems and even the effects of aging. Happy people are also more productive and more empathetic. And, as the feel-good-do-good phenomenon illustrates, people who are happy are much more likely to perform good deeds, help other people and become contributing members of society. As the Buddha discovered on his path to enlightenment, the best thing you can do to change the world is to change yourself. You cannot control others, you cannot “fix” others, you can only control and “fix” yourself.

Each person who becomes more self-aware, happier, less agitated, less irritable, more loving and more compassionate is a step in the right direction. And once you do well for yourself and make yourself happy, you will feel more inclined to be good to those around you. Until you work on achieving a sense of satisfaction with life, you can be of no use to anyone else. Be joyful and you will become a more productive employee, a more effective boss, a more caring friend, a more compassionate stranger, a more loving parent, spouse and child.

Every aspect of your life revolves around your contentment or lack thereof: physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships with others, work and play. So there is nothing better you can do for yourself and those around you than follow the simple instructions laid out in this book and work towards a better, more fulfilling, happier life.

Just remember: no one can help others, you and you alone control your life and your behaviors. So to make the most of this guide, you must be an active participant. Implement these changes in your life and try to stick with it. Make the time to remove negative behaviors and emotions and implement positive ones into your daily routine. This may require you to reorganize and miss a few things, or even take a week off to do so, but you need to really take the time to work on yourself. Don’t put it off, because the sooner you work on yourself, the sooner your new life begins. Putting off the suggestions in this book for work, familial or social engagements and commitments is like climbing a mountain to cast your flag in it and throwing your pack mid-way to make yourself lighter and reach the top sooner, once you get there you will find yourself without the necessary tools to do what you climbed all that way to do.