This is your sign to be your own brain's hype person

You know that feeling when you're with a friend and you achieve something, and you downplay it for yourself? But then, that friend says "NO! This is a huge deal. We are going to celebrate." They might give you a hug or a high five and they help you amplify the feeling of pride, and give you permission to feel good about yourself.

As a brain training specialist, I'm here to tell you that you can (and should) do that for your own brain to help you feel better more often.

Overcoming the Negativity Bias

We naturally amplify negative experiences more than positive ones. You know how it's so much easier to pay attention to the one negative comment on social media over all the good ones? Or how it's easier to get set off by the one jerk who cuts you off in traffic, over noticing all the lovely people who let you in front of them? That's called the negativity bias. It was meant to protect us back in early human evolution, but these days it usually just gives us unnecessary stress and bad moods. 

This is why it's so essential to intentionally amplify the positive experiences that we do have, so that we can balance out the hard stuff in life.

Becoming Your Own Hype Person

As you move throughout your day, set an intention to notice more of the moments where things are going your way .  Notice those teeny tiny moments where things are good, like when you...

• Have enough creamer in the fridge for your morning coffee
• Enjoy the great weather or sunshine
• Put on a cozy soft sweatshirt
• Have water to drink when you're thirsty
• Smile or laugh at something amusing
• Send an email or complete a small task
• ETC!

STEP 1: When you notice these small good things, say to yourself "Things are going my way", because a hype friend would definitely want to make sure that you're not missing out on the good stuff, right?

STEP 2: Hype yourself up! Stay with that good experience/feeling longer than you normally would. Celebrate it, enjoy it, amplify it, the way that a hype friend would if they gave you a hug and jumped up and down when you told them good news. Let yourself savor this good thing.

STEP 3: Allow it to make your day! A hype friend would continue to bring up your wins and remind you of how awesome you are later on, as you move through your day keep thinking about the good experiences that you've had in the day. Allow it to set the mood for the rest of the day, helping you to feel that joy longer and more intensely.

By noticing, savoring, and holding onto the feelings from good experiences, it's going to train your brain to help you take in more of the good in your life and feel better more often.✨