Imagination is the first step to any new scientific discovery. Threats and survival instincts push your imagination higher, with a greater positive cortical utilization creating a better “self”, better society and a proud Nation. Instincts are hardwired in our behaviour. Perhaps the most difficult part about understanding human instinct is that the human brain may sometimes override instinct or, at other times, over express it.

For humans, it is often being suggested that modern technology detaches them from their instinctual selves, and that they may be unhappy because they are either too instinct-driven or are not using their instincts at all. The pace with which technology has advanced beyond the accepted level has become a double-edged sword, like a very potent antibiotic — it holds the potential to kill not only the pathogen, but also produce morbidity and mortality.

Huge scientific advancements, material comforts and capital growth have severed the bonds people shared with their instinctual selves; it has left them unhappy and negative.

Since the brain is like a Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones, the negative trounces the positive to initiate a pathological cycle of destruction. Thus, stress has become the greatest enemy of humans, a fount of lifestyle diseases, deteriorating happiness and high suicide rates.

However, the physiology of the human brain holds opportunity for individuals to benefit from negative experiences. Thus, anxiety alerts, while sorrow opens hearts and anger energies self to handle the inner and outer threats and can generate a relaxing response, which acts as an antidote to stress. Anxiety triggers a surge in cortisol level and can abandon long-term effects of short-term crises.

To prevent the repetitive or longterm stress response which causes both physical and mental decompensation the best way is to divert. Thus, the value of a break, “chilling out”, praying, gossiping, travelling or any similar selfintrospective activity is healthy.

Interestingly, studies have shown that when men watch a funny video, level of cortisol falls by 39%, epinephrine by 70%, level of “feel-good” hormones, endorphins, increases by 27% and GH by 87%. An increase in anabolic chemicals like, DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) was also observed. This lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, increases muscle relaxation and boosts immune function by raising levels of infection-fighting T-cells. Increasing IgG, IgM, IgA complements this, triggering the release of endorphins, body’s natural painkiller.

Apart from relaxation, compassion, sense of achievement and recognition in positive terms also helps beat the “modernization” morbidity generated due to negative influences.