Tag Archives: Well-being

Happiness can be learned

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Is it possible to increase one’s well-being regardless of biological, economic and social conditions? Happiness is genetically influenced but not genetically fixed. Economic factors only significantly influence subjective well-being within subsistence-level poverty. How well we feel, how happy we are is a psychological state and personal development provides a possible path towards increased happiness. Let’s act on it.

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Why do people smoke

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1 Introduction

Smoking still is a major cause of preventable illnesses and diseases related to the cardiovascular and pulmonary system, such as lung cancer. Despite these known health risks, 21% of the world population is smoking tobacco according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (“Tobacco Use,” 2016). This hasn’t to be so as addiction to smoking isn’t just a given biological circumstance, but a personal and social experience that can be influenced. The goal of this article is to look at tobacco consumption as a human behavior possible to address with holistic intervention combinations including biological, psychological, and social factors.

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Therapeutic effect of mindfulness meditation

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#041 Urban peace (Mathias Sager, water mixable oil colour on canvas board, 46.7×38.1×0.4 cm (18.4″x15″x0.16″))

In this article I detail out a bit further the link between meditation and its therapeutic effect on anxiety and depression and apply it to a case example.

Mindfulness meditation seems to be suitable to shift the perception of life-uncertainty and adjust “from rumination to present awareness and acceptance” (Li et al., 2016, p. 12).  Mindfulness as a psycho-therapeutic approach has proven beneficial for the treatment of anxiety and depression disorders.

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Application of the biopsychosocial model for person-centric treatment

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“Health and disease are determined by dynamic interactions among biological, psychological, behavioral and social factors.” – US Research Council Committee

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Holistic approach to change behavior (e.g., towards a smoke-free identity)

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  1. Overview

This article is distinguishing holism from reductionist concepts and critically analyzes the application of holism in the mental health topic of long-term smoking cessation. By identifying some current state indicators the article suggests a definition of a holistic approach going forward. The effective maintenance of long-term nicotine abstinence is considered to be positively influenced by applying an extended biopsychosocial model that also includes cultural and world-view beliefs of personalities on their journey to a smoke-free identity. Implications and challenges for future holistic practice design and multi-disciplinary and integrative health care roles are discussed. The article concludes with a daring outlook towards a possible revolutionary human self-healing personality capability as a logical consequence of the current self-development movement.
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Popular Neuroscience: A scientific field shaped by and shaping modern society

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  1. Demarcating pseudoscience
  2. Evidence from neuroscience
  3. Neuroscience in popular culture
  4. Own biases and ethical considerations

Still, we are not only our brains and thinking is not optional:-)

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Successful learning = knowledge gathering + application + (desired change + well-being)

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It works best for me to gather knowledge in a self-study mode. In order to turn the knowledge into practical and positive learning experiences though, the exchange with study and work colleagues is valuable for me. Therefore I appreciate the exchange of experiences and opinions and the possibility for constructive feedback.

Systematic notes taking, as well as the visualization of key aspects and inter-dependencies have proven to be a good means to make knowledge effectively and efficiently accessible for the continuous practical application in my daily life and work. Ultimately a learning experience was successful for me when I can observe increased understanding and desired changes in my behavior and well-being.

What’s successful learning for you?