Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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So since becoming Paleo, I have become much happier, as I assume many of you have as well. And I found that I have been having this overwhelming urge to spread happiness. I am definetly not trying to push a paleo lifestyle on people. But trying to get people outside, and to do fun things.

I think it is safe to say that doing fun activities, pretty much makes everyone happy. Which I guess in turn makes me happy. Hmmm, Making people happy, makes you happy.

Maybe this is why there is such an overwhelming depth of free knowledge, and assitance on the internet from PaleoPeople.

Does anyone else have this overwhelming urge to spread their happiness?

And what do you do to share it with others?

flag	asked Dec 15 2011 at 13:07 Erik of Rockford 1,462●2●14

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It makes me unhappy that I'm not the first one to use the "happy-happy-joy-joy" tag. – Likely User Dec 15 2011 at 14:30

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There should be a badge for that. – Erik of Rockford Dec 15 2011 at 15:15

I think it is contagious. When I'm around happy people, I get happier. 8) – Ali Dec 15 2011 at 16:55

AndyM · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-15 13:42:14Z UTC

Natural brain chemistry. The inhibitors that keep us anti-social and locked in our houses or offices or thudding along a treadmill plugged into our iPods are all part of a chronic malfunction that we have been immersed in so long we consider it the norm. I think the internet chat is probably more about finding people to relate to and happens on all manner of disfunctional subjects. It's not really classic play in the great outdoors after all.

But yes, I've always enjoyed trying to spread the joy of play. At present I'm mostly engaged in demonstrating how nice it is to be outdoors in a bright sunny 20F day. I really should get a new job.

Korion · Answer 2 · 2011-12-15 13:56:02Z UTC

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I had the same experience, especially when eating more grass-fed beef.

To share it, I try to help people behind their back. In other words, I try to make others happy without getting credit for it. Lately I've also tried to separate myself from financial stuff.

answered Dec 15 2011 at 13:56

Korion
9,588●2●18●61

I would be happy to contribute to helping separate you from your "financial stuff". You can do either direct deposit or check... – gydle Dec 15 2011 at 16:25

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Sorry, I couldn't find a better way to express myself : when I say "separate myself from financial stuff", I mean not thinking about money in a greedy way. I now just earn the money I need, nothing more. I've noticed money just makes me worry anyways. The more I earn, the more I yearn. – Korion Dec 15 2011 at 17:58

@Korian: great point re money. Book i just read (for free on line if you want) Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein. He has some terrific insights into money, I think. – Cacktus Wayfinder Dec 15 2011 at 20:45

free online where? link? I did try to google..but only found it for sale. – Lutfisk Dec 15 2011 at 21:45

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@Korion - I know, I was just joking. WOrrying and thinking a lot about amassing money is a real downer and I try to avoid it too. – gydle Dec 16 2011 at 7:43

FED at LiveCaveman.com · Answer 3 · 2011-12-15 19:21:12Z UTC

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alt text

Now, how do you feel?

answered Dec 15 2011 at 19:21

FED at LiveCaveman.com
19.2k●20●60

Milla · Answer 4 · 2011-12-15 16:25:16Z UTC

I looked around the tables

And someone saw me grin,

And when he smiled, I realised

I’d passed it on to him!

I thought about my smile a lot

And realised all it’s worth.

A single smile like mine or yours

Can travel around the earth

So if you feel a smile begin,

Don’t leave it undetected.

Let’s start an epidemic, quick,

Let’s get the world infected!

(read this in some cafe at the airport!)

We generally tend to emulate facial expressions and body language; smiling/laughing releases hormones such as endorphins which give you the 'happy' feeling; it seems that seeing someone else smile/laugh has the same effect. I constantly drag my friends out to do outdoorsy activities, and most of them say that they didn't even think they were missing so much by just living indoors all the time.

Dorado Galore · Answer 5 · 2011-12-16 03:27:51Z UTC

This morning I smiled in the direction of a complete stranger. I did so because I felt happy at the moment. I got a smile back, which delighted me. I went about my morning infused with some special "extra" quality. This had nothing to do with protein, fat, carbs, Omega 3, sleep, cortisol, or all the other usual suspects.

"Is happiness contagious?" If you would answer this question by asking for a review of scientific studies, I wish you well on your return trip to your home planet. Which is different from the one I inhabit.

gydle · Answer 6 · 2011-12-15 16:29:36Z UTC

Indeed it is contagious. It's been shown scientifically, even.

http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20081204/happiness-is-contagious

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/predictably-irrational/200906/beware-happiness-is-contagious

The study showed that the happier your social network, the happier you'll be. I find this site, in particular, quite upbeat, cheerful and helpful compared to other forums I've lurked on. Paleohackers are a happy tribe!

rando · Answer 7 · 2011-12-15 23:21:55Z UTC

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Hard to prove any causal effect.

answered Dec 15 2011 at 23:21

rando
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raydawg · Answer 8 · 2011-12-16 02:53:58Z UTC

I suspect humans are pattern recognition engines, we see patterns everywhere - even where they aren't. Whether we interpret those as happy or sad is the key. There's obvious advantages to happiness as can be expressed through lack of cortisol, and rewards/pleasure.

Is Happiness Contagious?

8 Answers