
As we all continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities that life presents, it is important to further develop a body and mind-set that can increasingly predict positive outcomes.
Happiness is a state of mind. Positive emotions can increase satisfaction with life, build stronger coping skills and emotional resources and increase resilience. Physical health provides a positive state of body. Some of the positive outcomes include increased quality of sleep, improved immunity, healthier hearts and decrease risk of disease.
Additionally, people who are happy and in a positive state of body and mind, engage in healthier behaviors.
There are many definitions to happiness and for many years philosophers have studied happiness to better understand it and to assist with the attainment of it. The definition that we will use for happiness is “an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment and fulfillment.” The key to most definitions involves positive emotions and life satisfaction.
Why Practice Happiness
Happy people are more generous.
Happy people cope better with stress and trauma.
Happy people are more creative and are better able to see the big picture.
Happy people are less likely to get sick and to live longer.
Happy people are more likely to have more trusting relationships with friends.
Happy people make more money and are more productive at work.
Ways to Cultivate Happiness
Awe Narrative: Recall and describe a time when you experienced awe.
Best Possible Self: Imagine your life going as well as it possibly could, then write about this best possible future.
Best Possible Self for Relationships: Visualize what your life would be like without the good things you have.
Meaningful Photos: Photograph, then write about, things that are meaningful to you.
Keys to Happiness
Build relationships.
Give thanks.
Practice kindness.
Give up grudges
Get physical.
Get rest.
Pay attention.
Don’t focus on material wealth.
Key Takeaways
Happiness offers many positive psychological and physical benefits.
Happiness can be defined in many ways, however positive emotions and increased life satisfaction are always components of the definition.
Happiness comes from our actions and thoughts.
Best Practices
Yearnings…practice the activities that you are naturally drawn to.
Flow…in what activates did the steps just come naturally to you.
Rapid Learning… what kinds of activities do you seem to pick up quickly.
Things to Limit
Criticism.
Always needing to be right.
Complaining.
· Quote of the Week
~The experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful and worthwhile.”
Sonja Lyubomirsky
It is sometime assumed that you need to pursue happiness. The opposite is true. As Thoreau said, “happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it the more it gets away from you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come to you and gently sit on your shoulder”.
Pulling back and taking time to think about how you want to be and how to get there, will offer you the opportunity to feel thankful for what you have and to experience the positive emotions that go along with it.
For several years we have been offering a workshop entitled The Art of Happiness. For more on this program and others, please check our website at www.battistimanagement.com or call us at 607 2225768.
Be well,
The paraDocs
Check our Welcome Greeting on YouTube
The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer, at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
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