In a world where stress and anxiety seem to be ever-present, the concept of happiness and well-being is more important than ever. Dr. Olivier Courtin-Clarins, director of the Clarins group and expert on practices for healthy aging, emphasizes the importance of cultivating optimism and stimulating the production of “feel-good hormones” in his book Guess my age if you can (“Guess my age if you can”).
Courtin-Clarins highlights the significance of positive emotions in creating a virtuous circle that can help the body repair, relax, and generate hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin. One of the key pieces of advice he offers is to indulge in “three moments of joy a day”, which involves writing, thinking, and remembering three good things that happened during the day to stimulate the secretion of well-being molecules.
The philosophy of activating optimism and happiness is further elaborated upon by Florence Servan-Schreiber, author of Three Buzzes a Day: How to Activate Your Optimism to Be Happier, where she suggests a method to change one’s perspective and promote a more positive outlook on life.
Furthermore, Courtin-Clarins interviews Catherine Testa, founder of L’Optimisme.com, who explains that personality traits are not solely biologically determined and that it is possible to cultivate optimism through gestures and habits that stimulate the production of happiness neurotransmitters. These hormones, including dopamine, are associated with regulating mood, promoting a sense of well-being, and reducing anxiety.
The importance of laughter in promoting happiness is also emphasized, as it has been shown to generate dopamine and other beneficial substances that can reduce stress, lower heart rate, increase productivity, and alleviate anxiety. By incorporating practices such as laughter, positive thinking, and gratitude into our daily routine, we can foster a more optimistic and joyful outlook on life, ultimately leading to a longer and happier existence.