Feeling good is defined differently by each individual, but there are basic aspects that serve as common denominators for almost everyone. Most obviously is the physical aspect. When you suffer from any kind of muscular, skeletal, joint or nerve discomfort, it is difficult to feel good. Yet, the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking who was wheelchair bound and unable to speak without a computer as helper, defied that concept. He famously said, “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious and however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”1
Aside from the physical, there are emotional, mental, or psychic aspects that are more nebulous and harder to define. Researchers at the University of California-Berkeley contend that feeling good stems from a person’s emotional state, which would certainly confirm how someone in Stephen Hawking’s physical state could be so positive and relay his “feel good” attitude. The researchers have explored preferred types of emotional states, with the two primary ones being LAP (low arousal positive) and HAP (high arousal positive). Those who prefer LAP tend to define feeling good with being relaxed, calm and peaceful, while those who prefer HAP, like enthusiasm, excitement and elation.
Jeanne Tsai’s research at Berkeley has revealed that East Asians tend to favor LAP states while European Americans tend to prefer HAP states. This shows that preferred emotional states are likely shaped by culture.2 Another study conducted by Tsai and a colleague found that American women’s magazines showed more excited smiles while Chinese magazines showed calmer smiles. One of their explanations is that East Asian cultures emphasize social harmony, the needs of others and fitting into the overall group, contrasting with American culture’s emphasis on individual rights and achievement. HAP serves the American culture while LAP better serves East Asians.3
What “feel good” means for you may be completely different from what it means to someone else, because everything is relative to each person’s situation. Mental health and physical health are intertwined and need to be somewhat in balance to reach that “feel good” condition. You may require a shift in perspective to feel good. For example, as people age, their physical capabilities change, as do their mental states—sometimes the body can do less but the mind is more acute and contains a lot more useful information—so activity levels and pleasurable pursuits evolve to a new comfort level. What feels good at 20 is bound to be different at 60. Regardless age, the more control you have over your thoughts, feelings and body, the more likely you are to feel good.
There are proven ways to boost serotonin and dopamine levels (those happy hormones) and it goes back to what grandma always said: eat your veggies, do your work, and go outside and run around! At Nikken, that means supplement your diet where it’s lacking in nutrients, do an honest day’s work and get in touch with nature!
We define “feel good” this whole month of May with gifts inspired by nature—get the KenkoGround® and the Kenko Precision Set at 40% off, and pamper yourself with True Elements® Marine Organic Skin Care and Kenko Jewelry at 20% off!
1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tDEkyqoQsQ
2, 3 https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_does_good_feel_like_to_you
Active Wellness Blog 