MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors

Ten rules:

Aristotle defined happiness as eudaemonia, which means “good spirit.” He posited that genuine happiness wasn’t so much about seeking it out, but rather drawing it to oneself by adhering to 10 essential virtues that foster the “good spirit” essential for true contentment. These ten virtues are:

1. Courage: To act in the face of fear, rather than give into it, invites happiness. It makes us feel resilient.
2. Temperance: Self-control in the face of one’s appetites and base impulses creates a feeling of resilience and self-determination.
3. Liberality: Avoid stinginess without being foolish about spending.
4. Magnificence: Here Aristotle meant that one should carry out projects “most nobly and splendidly,” and to be generous. Research has shown in study after study that giving makes us happier.
5. Greatness of soul: Occupy yourself with more meaningful activities, seek deeper knowledge. Use this pursuit to rise above petty irritations and unpleasant things that arise.
6. Gentleness: Be intentionally kind and control your temper. Aggressive, angry thinking can be shortsighted and harmful.
7. Truthfulness about yourself: Do not be boastful, but also be wary of self-deprecation. Seek secure humility through which you can show others who you are without bragging or self-denigration.
8. Equity: By this, Aristotle meant that a person should seek out opportunity to “receive a smaller share” when not bound by law or appearance to do so. To look to volunteer the spoils of one’s advantages.
9. Forgiveness: Be forgiving of the faults of others. Be intentional about letting go of grievances, which can weigh down the psyche.
10. Modesty: For Aristotle, modesty is similar to temperance. Here he urges us to avoid vices; to apply a moral modesty to consumption and temptation.

From Arthur C. Brooks at The Atlantic:
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Note: At the time of this posting The Atlantic offers five free article views per month.

Five takeaways:

1. Reconnect with yourself: when a decision brings on feelings of self-doubt, ask yourself, “is this what I really want?” An honest answer to this question will help you impose boundaries on external stressors.
2. Practice self-compassion: Remember that mistakes and imperfections are part of the shared human experience. Remember that we are often our own harshest critics.
3. Set reasonable goals: Though reaching for the stars is admirable, setting reasonable goals can bring on the thrill of achievement and induce a feeling of momentum.
4. Spend time alone: Many people feel discomfort when alone. However, taking time for oneself can give you time to work out your own needs or preferences, and help to center you.
5. Master a skill: feelings of self-efficacy– the belief that you can perform and complete hard tasks– create a sense of aptitude and self-belief.

From Jacquelyn Johnson for PsychCentral
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Five takeaways:

1. Nutritionists often hear clients complain that eating lunch inevitably leads to an afternoon of fatigue, making it difficult to work. This is called postprandial somnolence — or, as it is known colloquially, the food coma.
2. Part of this phenomenon is due to basic physiology: When humans eat, most of our blood goes to the digestive organs to process the food. After a person eats, the body might produce more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates sleep and mood.
3. Many combat this phenomenon by avoiding heavy lunches, but the makeup of foods can have just as drastic an effect. Meals high in fat such as fried foods or pizza, or meals high in added/refined sugar can have the exact same effect.
4. Poor or limited sleep can also exacerbate post-lunch fatigue. Sleep regulates digestive hormones. A sleep-deprived body may suppress a hormone called leptin that sends the “I’m full” signal to the brain.
5. For some, post-lunch fatigue can signal something more serious: diabetes or prediabetes. If you repeatedly feel tired after eating lunch even after making dietary adjustments, consult your doctor.

From Kristen Rogers for CNN
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Six takeaways:

1. The competitive spirit occurs naturally in human beings, but if it goes unmanaged it can have horrible effects on one’s life, This article provides a formula to overcome this: instead of always going for gold, shoot for the bronze.
2. A 1995 study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology studied the emotional reactions of silver and bronze medalists in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games both immediately after their events and later on. For both groups, bronze medalists were the happiest in both the short and long term.
3. Silver medalists see themselves as “first loser” whereas bronze medalists compare themselves favorably with those who didn’t make it onto the podium.
4. This brings forth the distinction between upward comparison and downward comparison. If we compare cars, clothes, bank accounts with those wealthier than us, we’ll feel lesser. Downward comparison makes people feel better about themselves and, thus, happier.
5. Self-comparison is unavoidable, but you can take steps to fortify yourself against it. This includes avoiding or regulating social media use, looking at life as a series of long-term goals rather than benchmarks, and to view your main competition as being with yourself rather than with others.
6. Lastly, use mindfulness tactics/practices to remind yourself that you can only control your own path, and that validation should only come from within.

From Arthur C. Brooks at The Atlantic:
Read the whole story.

Note: At the time of this posting The Atlantic offers five free article views per month.