Week of Happiness - Day 4: Get Used To It.

Welcome to?Day 4?- we're almost at the end of our journey! What a cool calendar, right? I hope you were able to take a moment to pause, reflect, and recenter yourself. Today, we move on to?Mind Mishap #4. Read on for more!

Mind Mishap #4 - Our minds are programmed to adapt and get used to things:

Ever been in a room with a particular odor that you cannot stop thinking about? Then, five minutes later, you notice the smell is gone? Well, that's one way to think about this Mind Mishap. Here is another visual cue into what I mean.

Stare at the middle stripe on this photo for a full minute.?

Did you look for a full minute? If not, scroll back up. ??

Did anything happen? Your brain might have started to see the flag in normal red, white, and blue. In short, you adapted. Another adaption that happens can be seen?here.?

For our well-being, this is often called?hedonic adaption. Insert getting a new car in my first odor example. At first you feel accomplished, cool, and happy. Then, after a few months, it is often just another car. Research shows we go back to baseline pretty quickly and can create what is called a?hedonic treadmill?- always chasing the next thing.

Maneuver Strategy for Mind Mishap #4 - Spice It Up:?

To maneuver our adaptation to things, today try to switch things up. You can spice up your routine by taking a new route to the grocery store. Maybe switching up where you work today. Look up a new interesting topic. Do a small act of kindness for a stranger. Anything that can spice up your routine will go a long way in increasing your happiness.?

The key: be mindful and grateful for the experience to make sure it sinks in.

'Till tomorrow!???