| People who feel fulfilled with their life are more likely to | | | | challenge. |
| do well at work, be less stressed, and have fewer sick | | | | Novelty in life releases the neurotransmitter dopamine |
| days and psychological or social problems. During the | | | | which is associated with feelings of happiness and |
| last five years, there has been increasing evidence | | | | well-being. Stress which is associated with a challenge |
| supporting the association of happiness/fulfillment with | | | | releases the hormone cortisol. In high levels, cortisone is |
| life and being able to use your strengths. In addition, | | | | damaging to our body mentally and physically. |
| there is definitive information which tells us which | | | | However, in smaller amounts, it can elevate mood, |
| strengths are necessary and the ingredients the brain | | | | increase concentration and improve memory making |
| needs to experience fulfillment. | | | | you more effective. When these two chemicals |
| Do you have these key strengths and ingredients? | | | | interact, the stage is set for strong feelings of |
| First you need to know what the brain needs. Gregory | | | | fulfillment. |
| Berns a neuroscientist and psychiatrist at Emory | | | | Second, research by doctors Nansook Park, |
| University, believes the feeling of satisfaction is | | | | Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman have found |
| necessary to feel fulfilled in life. In his book, Satisfaction: | | | | that there are five key signature/character strengths |
| the Science of Finding True Fulfillment, he concludes | | | | which are closely and consistently related to life |
| that fulfillment requires two important ingredients that | | | | satisfaction: |
| nature has designed our brains to crave: novelty and | | | | 1. |