The Happiness Workout: How to optimise confidence, creativity and your brain

by Noa Belling

Overview

How does 'happy' feel?

What if you could practice, and access, happiness at any time?

When were you last truly happy? How did 'happy' feel? Some people find that being happy is a natural state of being, but for others it's a constant struggle to find contentment with all of life's stresses and upheavals.

Bestselling author and psychologist Noa Belling has designed a variety of 'happiness workouts' to help you do just that. Based on scientific studies of biochemistry and neuroscience, this book teaches you how to cultivate happiness by honing certain physical skills such as strength, flexibility, fluidity, grounding and warm-heartedness. Deeply rooted within your body, these skills foster resilience, confidence and creativity to help you meet life's challenges skillfully.

A happiness workout is made up of everyday quick practices, complemented by physical exercise programs that are designed to be accessible no matter your age or level of fitness. Try it out and feel how it optimises your brain function and reliably turns things around!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781923009356
Publisher:	Rockpool Publishing
Publication date:	11/26/2024
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176

About the Author

"Noa Belling holds a Masters degree in Somatic (or body-mind) psychology through Naropa University, which is the birthplace of the modern mindfulness movement. Her background includes over a decade of teaching applied somatic psychology skills as well as running a private psychotherapy practice. For this book, Noa writes from her personal and professional experience as a ballet dancer. Dance regularly filled her with joy while strengthening, stretching and grounding her body in ways that supported her resilience and topped up her happiness through life's ups downs. To add to this, in her 20's"

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Bio Chemistry and Happiness

Chapter 1 The Bio-Chemistry of Happiness 7

Chapter 2 A Happy Balance 19

Chapter 3 The Physical Skills of Happiness 23

Grounding $$$

Chapter 4 Grounding Techniques and Supporting Resilience 31

Chapter 5 Sleep Support 41

Strength $$$

Chapter 6 Boosting Strength and Confidence 49

Chapter 7 Key Strength Skills for Work and Life 55

$$$

Chapter 8 Boosting Creativity and Zest for Life 67

Chapter 9 Keeping Energy and Motivation Flowing 75

Warmheartedness (Oxytocin)

Chapter 10 Warmheartedness for Ourselves and Each Other 83

Chapter 11 10 Ways to Boost Oxytocin and Warmheartedness 89

Bouncing Back from Stress and Maintaining Happiness

Chapter 12 Bouncing Back from Stress and Toning Your Nervous System for Happiness 93

Chapter 13 Happy Posture Practices for Work and Life 105

Grounded and Fluid Posture 112

Appendix 1 Happiness Boosting Menu and Quick Reference Guide 115

Appendix 2 7 Illustrated Workout Guides and Support for Muscle Recovery 123

Grounding Workout With Short Meditation 125

Bedtime workout for unwinding towards peaceful sleep 129

Self-holding sequence to relax for sleep (while lying down) 133

Strength Workout 135

Workout for Boosting Creativity and Zest for Life 143

Workout for Strengthening your reach and perseverance #1 149

Workout for strengthening your reach and perseverance #2 151

Heart-opening Workout 153

A few Stretches and Muscle Recovery Suggestions 159

Sources and Notes 161

About the Author 165

Acknowledgements 167