Gratitude by Subtraction
On episode 20 of The Science of Happiness podcast, the guest (aka guinea pig) chose the "happiness experiment" called The Mental Subtraction of Positive Events.
It goes like this: you think of a good thing in your life -- a person or situation. You bring to mind all the circumstances that had to come together to bring that good thing into your life; for example, the way you met, the first time you did yoga, when and how you got your job. And then you imagine your life without that good thing. What if that had never happened. Think through what your life would be like right now. Then finally come back to the present.
We humans have a natural tendency of taking things for granted. It's just what our brains do.
Research has shown that a gratitude practice can help people feel an increase in happiness and life satisfaction. But this experiment takes a different route...and the findings have been surprising.
Studies have found that imagining your life without the good thing, as opposed to just feeling grateful for the good thing, has an even greater impact on your emotional well-being. Wow!
Want to try it? Here's the podcast episode.
Or right now...
Think of a good thing in your life.
Think through the circumstances of the beginning or meeting of it.
What had to happen for that to happen?
What if that had never happened?
Imagine what your life would be like right now.
What else wouldn't be in your life if the good thing hadn't happened?
What feelings does this illicit?
After a few moments, come back to the present moment.
Notice what you feel now.
How was it? What are you grateful for? I'd love to hear from you anytime, about anything. Hope you are well.
Sending love your way,
