KOCHI: Here’s an interesting thought - there’s an operating manual for everything under the sun, but none for your brain, which is the most complex organ! And Sajeev Nair, a corporate-trainer-turned-researcher of happiness, is in the process of creating that very manual.
During times when the ‘happiness index’ has been in news and has kicked off interesting conversations about how India has been maintaining a not-so-happy status for the last two years, Sajeev’s research and work put things in perspective. He has come out with a book ‘Tathaastu’ that revolves around the concept of thought process reengineering. Backed by the findings of his research, Sajeev says that unlike how people think, happiness doesn’t just happen, it can be meticulously created as well.
“Happiness is a choice that people make, and one can consciously choose to activate the emotion by just incorporating a few changes in their everyday life,” Sajeev says. To back his claim, he throws in the names of a few chemicals that are secreted by the brain that become various emotions. “Emotions are basically chemicals; my primary query was whether it’s the emotion that gets the brain to secrete a particular chemical, or the other way round. And I concluded that one can simply reverse the situation and manage the brain by changing the action.” So, one can manage the brain after all? “Absolutely,” he says. “It can either be with help or realization. But by switching from a dull feeling in the morning to a brisk walk, you are actually making your brain secrete some happy chemicals,” he says.
For this, he had sought the help of neuroscience and had gone in hibernation for a couple of years. “People often think that a better job and a bigger paycheck would make them happy; they think all the toil and hardwork is clearing the path for happiness to glide into their lives, but unfortunately it isn’t so,” he says. He also adds that the massive nutritional imbalance also contribute a lot in the happiness factor. “Our very own tapioca is rich in zinc, an essential chemical for the brain, which is sadly not everyone’s favourite food anymore.”
This was first recognized by the King of Bhutan as early as 1979, who stated that they, as a country, believed in GNP (Gross National Happiness) and not in GDP (Gross Domestic Product). “About a year ago, the government of Dubai formed a Happiness ministry. It sent out clear indications that there was a rethinking on the part of many countries where a country’s well being was adjudged by measuring the economic parameters instead of its happiness parameters,” Sajeev elaborated, adding that (GHI) Gross Happiness Index is seen as vital for the social progress of a nation.
Sajeev also found the time apt for starting the ‘Centre for Happiness and Positivity’ in UAE that works towards creating awareness among entrepreneurs and self employees. While talks are going on with the Dubai government, Sharjah has already joined hands with Sajeev to start up the ‘Happiness Factory’ in association with Sharjah Gold and Shooting Club, which provides various happiness programmes to enhance workplace happiness.
Sajeev Nair also owns a wellness hospital, ‘Wellness Solutions’ in Vytilla at Kundannoor. “I hope to take my concepts to the schools, which is in my plan of action,” he concludes.