This simple hack* will reduce your stress and improve your health

Most psychological research confirms what people already know. That’s right, I admit it. Yep. Most scientific research in psychology could be given the “No-duh” vs. the "Nobel" award for merit. So much of it is intuitive.

But wait. There’s more. (thankfully for me)

Although most research reveals the obvious, what’s surprising is what we do (or don’t do) with this obvious information. Just to check me, I bet you can’t think of three things off the top of your head that would make you or someone else a better person.

You did, didn’t you? (smirk)

No kidding: Why haven’t you done them? If you have, why aren’t you still doing them?

You’re probably wondering, “why is Chris shooting himself in the foot?” It sure looks like I confess the irrelevance of my own profession: Psychological research is unsurprising and insignificant.

Maybe not.

Most of you will see through my thinly veiled, taunting sarcasm and realize it as an effort to stir up your emotions. (Not sorry) Beyond the sarcasm, pointing it out to you is making you even more emotional. (Still not sorry)

As we say in psychology, “All’s fair that changes behavior for the better.” (Well, almost all is, and we should say this anyway)

So I play the martyr. It’s worth it if it my words parlay proof of Newton’s first law of motion, “a body at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by a force.”

Consider my verbal jousting, “the force.”

Now that I have your attention, and hopefully have raised your inclination, here’s the simple activity that will make you happier and healthier:

At the end of every day, write down three (3) good things that happened and why they did.

That’s it. Easy as Pi. (What does that mean, anyway?)

Just record and reflect on three good things that happened and feel your spirits lift and your blood pressure drop. It’s a fact proven by sound psychological research. Look it up: Bono, Glomb, Shen, Kim and Koch. 2013. Building Positive Resources: Effects of Positive Events and Positive Reflection on Work Stress and Health. Academy of Management Journal, 56: 1601-1627.

Now get on with it and prove me wrong.

JUST DO IT!

(You’ll be glad you did)

* Yes. I am cool because I used the word "hack" vs. "tactic."