33. Reading: Secrets of a Happy Brain

Secrets of a Happy Brain

The human brain remembers negative experiences more easily than positive ones. Our brains may have developed this way because threats, like dangerous animals, had a more immediate effect on our ancestors’ survival compared to positive things like food or shelter. As a result, you likely know what makes you unhappy, but do you know what makes you happy?

Research suggests that our level of happiness depends partly on factors we cannot control — our genes and our life circumstances. But our level of happiness is also shaped by the choices we make. If you’ve been chasing wealth, fame, good looks, material things, and power, you may be looking for happiness in all the wrong places. Psychologists suggest
that the following seven habits make people happier.

Forming close relationships

People who form close relationships tend to be happier than those who do not. The number of friends we have is not important. What matters is the quality of our relationships. Relationships that bring happiness usually involve the sharing of feelings, mutual respect, acceptance, trust, fun, and empathy.

Being kind

People who make a habit of caring for the well-being of others tend to be happier. This might involve volunteering for an organization or reaching out to support friends and family on a regular basis.

Getting exercise

People who exercise regularly improve both their physical and mental well-being. Some research has shown that exercise can be as effective as medication in treating depression.

Finding your flow

When we are so interested in an activity we enjoy that we lose track of time, we are in a state of flow. The activity could be making art, playing piano, surfing, or playing a game. People who experience flow in their work or hobbies tend to be happier.

Getting in touch with your spirituality

People who include spirituality in their daily life tend to be happier. Practicing spirituality is a way of recognizing and trying to understand the wonder and beauty of existence. Some people do this by going to a place of worship or praying. Some people practice yoga or meditation. Some people go for long walks in nature.

Discovering and using your strengths

People are more likely to be happy if they know what their strengths are and use them regularly. People who set goals and use their strengths to achieve them tend to be happier. People are especially happy when they can use their strengths to serve the greater good.

Thinking positively

People who think positively by being grateful, mindful, and optimistic are more likely to be happy. Being grateful means being thankful. Being mindful means being open to, focusing on, and enjoying the experiences of the present moment. Being optimistic means being hopeful about the future. Take good care of your brain. The “most amazing structure on Earth” deserves your appreciation.

Practice

1. What is the main idea of this text?
2. What are the seven habits that make people happier?

What Says?

Spelling and Sentence Dictation

Review

Throughout this Workbook, you have learned about many strategies for checking your understanding of a text while you read:

• Check if you can visualize what’s being described

Visualizing

One strategy is to stop after each paragraph and ask yourself: Can I picture what the text is describing, like a movie playing in my mind? If you can’t picture it, then go back and try to visualize as you re-read the paragraph. If you like to draw, you can even doodle the pictures you see in your mind in the space beside the paragraph.

• Check if you can retell the main idea in your own words

Topic and Main Idea

Topic – The topic of a text is the person or thing that the text is written about. To find the topic, start by looking at the title of the text. The title The Many Faces of Genius tells us that the topic of this text is about genius.

Main Idea – The main idea is the point the writer is making about the topic. We can figure out the main idea by looking for the point of each paragraph. A text is usually written for one main purpose:

• Read with a purpose in mind

• Check if you can answer any of the five W’s: who, what, where, when, or why.

5W – Ask Questions

Readers check their understanding of a text while they read. One strategy is to stop a few times in the text to ask yourself: Can I answer any of the five W questions: who, what, where, when, or why? If you can answer at least three of these questions, then you are thinking about what you are reading.

• Ask questions as you read and see whether the text gives the answers.

Summarize

Readers check their understanding of a text while they read. One strategy is to stop after each paragraph and try to retell the main idea in your own words.

• Make predictions and read on to check them

Predicting

Readers check their understanding of a text while they read. One strategy is to make predictions while you read. For example, read the first paragraph of Put to the Test.

Some students bring good luck charms to school on test days. They might keep a four-leaf clover in their pocket or wear a pair of lucky underwear. While these things can’t hurt, there are better ways of doing well on a test.

Can you predict what the next paragraph will be about?

• Connect to the Text

Connect to the Text

Readers think about their own experiences with a topic before they read a text. They ask questions like, “What does this make me think of?” or “What do I already know about this topic?” Think about the questions below or discuss them with a partner.

• Do you get test anxiety?
• Do you rush through tests?
• What can I do to make test taking easier?