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
difficult to be SIMPLE
— Plenty of people miss their share of
happiness, not because they never found
it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it.
— Nobody is perfect, all of us are students
— Happiness is not really hypothetical
— The definition of Happiness varies from person
to person
— 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
— Originally thought only to be caused by food
and stress, we now know that stress is a
factor, but the bacteria H pylori is the true
culprit.
— However, during a stressful time, there is
decreased blood flow and
constriction/bracing of the smooth muscles
of the digestive tract, enabling the bacteria
to attain a better foothold against the host –
in turn – creating an ulcer.
◦ An ulcer is a cut or fissure in the wall of the
stomach, duodenum or other parts the intestines.
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Strokes
— Apoplexy (also termed stroke) is a lack of
oxygen in the brain resulting form a
blockage or rupture of one of the arteries
that supply it.
— Stroke is related to hypertension, which
may also result in cerebral hemorrhage
(rupture of blood vessels).
— Stroke is also related to ones dietary
habits.
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Cancer How Stress Can Causes Cancer

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

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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
the spread of the disease
◦ Several studies have indicated that stress
triggers a 'master switch' gene called
Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3)
◦ This corrupts the immune system, giving
cancer a fast-track around body.
— Stress can decrease your white blood cell
count which will lead to poor health.
— Immunological system includes the following
white blood cell groups which identify and
destroy foreign substances:
◦ Phagocytes-destroyers
◦ 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
— Multiplication of Worry leads to Anxiety
— Multiplication of Anxiety leads to Stress
— A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease
about something with an uncertain
outcome.
— A strong desire or concern to do
something or waiting for something to
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

— Live with an Attitude of Gratitude
◦ Be Grateful for what you have.
◦ Only gratitude can deal with negativity.
◦ Start counting your blessings.
◦ If you are able to see and understand this
message you are one of the luckiest person
on earth. Be grateful ! Be happy !!
— Temple, Church, Mosque etc
— Help others
— Spend quiet time every day
— Be thankful
— Think positively
— Put your faith to work!
◦ "I am at peace in the midst of chaos or madness. No
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
your control.
◦ You did not choose them.They came to you
— Your response to the situation is your
choice
◦ Response is not destiny
◦ What you choose is your choice.
◦ Therefore your choice makes your future
destiny
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— Situations will remain the same.
— How you respond to those situations is
completely your choice.
◦ If you have a lemon make lemonade.
– You can also make a pickle out of it.
◦ It’s your choice
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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
— The belief in one’s own capability to
accomplish a task and select an effective
approach to solve a problem.
— Stay in the Present
— Live in “Day-Tight Compartments.“
◦ Just live each day until bedtime.
— 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
◦ You are living in the past
— If you are anxious
◦ You are living in the future
— If you are at peace
◦ You are living in the present
— Ask yourself
◦ What is the worst that can possibly
happen if I can't solve my problem?
◦ Prepare yourself mentally to accept the
worst--if necessary.
◦ 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.
— Learn to relax at your work.
— Learn to relax at home.
— Remember, no one was ever killed by lack
of sleep. It is worrying about insomnia
that does the damage--not the insomnia.
— Changing your attitude
◦ External things will not change.You can
change your attitude
— Whatever you resist will persist
— Forgive and Forget

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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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