April/May 2016 67 SHUTTERSTOCK “IN THE S OUTH BAY, BLISS APPEARS TO BE A S AVAILABLE AS THE AIR WE BREA THE.” There are other benefits as well to practicing kindness and generosity: It increases our sense of self-worth and shifts our focus away from our worries. One result is reduced stress, and that in turn decreases the odds of suffering from heart disease and autoimmune disorders. 10 Choose Optimism According to Warshaw, happiness incorporates a viewpoint that we can choose to alter. The glass might be half empty or, if it belonged to Ronald Reagan, half full. “I can perceive the world in a way that I feel good about it, feel good about myself and be happy,” says Warshaw, “or I can perceive the world in a way that I’m not getting what I want, it’s not working, and I can be very unhappy. I can make that choice.” Chronically depressed men and women, of course, don’t usually view those two alternatives as a rational decision. But for the majority of us, the lens we use to see what’s transpiring all around us can be adjusted to bring in more light. That’s often where friends and family show up to lend perspective, help us shake off our blinders and sing along with Paul Simon, “I’ve got nothing to do today but smile.” Today and, with any luck, tomorrow too. n 8 Spend Time in Nature It’s very old advice that’s been confirmed through scientific research: spending time in nature does increase happiness. Carter points to one study where even just looking at pictures of nature helped improve people’s intellectual functioning. Warshaw loves how geographically diverse the region is. “If you want a different environment you’re less than a couple of hours away from it, no matter what it is.” San Jose electrical engineer Adam Hoffman says one of the good things about living here is the opportunity to enjoy the valley’s natural elements. In a previous job near Palo Alto’s Baylands Nature Preserve, he spent 15 minutes at lunchtime walking the trails, watching the birds, and taking in the expansive views. 9 Practice Kindness Science has recently confirmed what wise men and women have known since Noah invited all those animals on board to save them from the flood: It feels good to do good. In fact, recent experiments prove that when children give a gift to another classmate, the pleasure centers in their brains become more active than when they receive a present.
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2016
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