I've blogged a lot about why parents' happiness is critical for children's happiness. But that raises the question of why we should even make happiness such a priority for kids in the first place. Any reader of this blog knows that, by the way I define happiness , I think it is critical for a meaningful life. But I realize that there are plenty of parents out there who see a meaningful life defined by accomplishments and success, not happiness and other positive emotions.
Even these people should take note: Happiness is a tremendous advantage in a world that values performance and achievement. On average, happy people are more successful than unhappy people at both work and love. They get better performance reviews, have more prestigious jobs, and earn higher salaries. They are more likely to get married, and once married, they are more satisfied with their marriages. Happy people also tend to be healthier and live longer.
In her groundbreaking research on positivity, psychologist Barbara Fredrickson has found that positive emotions:. Just how happy do we need to be? It turns out that among very happy people, those who are a tad less joyful than the happiest of happy actually have higher incomes, academic achievement, job satisfaction, and political participation than the happiest people. It follows that those with some feelings of discontentment—whether it is dissatisfaction with the status quo, or an inclination to improve things—are probably more motivated towards action and, therefore, success.
At work and in civic life, the desire for something better sets us in motion—to elect a new leader, to secure a better job, to negotiate a raise. But it also turns out that uber-happy people tend to have more friends and be luckier in love. Happiness is the exact opposite of stress, so it is difficult to have both simultaneously.
I work for a major cosmetics company in a relatively stressful field that is heavily dependent on timelines to make major launches. I will be the first to tell you that the stress at times is difficult to manage but I am generally a happy person and can find creative outlets that make me happy and relieve stress. One is through engaging in kickboxing classes several times per week. It is an activity I love to do and makes me happy plus provides a great workout, all of which lowers or eliminates my stress!
Logic dictates that if happiness has a positive impact on my health then it will also extend my life. One study was performed that found a correlation between the life expectancy of a group of Catholic nuns and their initial emotions when they first started at the convent.
The happiest nuns lived years longer than the unhappiest. This is one of many studies performed that confirm happiness is one important component of living longer lives. Couple that with regular exercise, eating healthy, lower stress, finding creative outlets, and fostering healthy relationships and we can live long and healthy lives as happy people!
In addition to being more productive in life, happy people are more creative. Positive thinking and being open to new experiences and ideas are related. This is because as our general mood becomes more positive, we can devise and envision creative solutions to a variety of problems. There is little evidence of a connection between the two more evidence of happiness improving creativity. When I am generally happier, I often access the creative side of my brain outside of work.
I tend to lay in bed watching television less and draw, read, and write much more. Happy people have proven to maintain better physical health, have less hospital and emergency room visits, and fewer unpleasant physical symptoms. Also, we tend to use less medication resulting in fewer work absences which relates to point number one of being more successful. Better health typically relates to less overall physical pain. Similarly, happy people have better mental health than others and have fewer symptoms related to mental diseases like schizophrenia, hypochondriasis, anxiety, social phobia, and depression.
Many of these mental health issues are tied to substance abuse problems so, you guessed it, happy people are less likely to have a history of drug abuse. Happier people are also less likely to engage in risky behaviour — for example, they are more likely to wear seat belts and less likely to be involved in road accidents.
Happier people are even more financially responsible, tending to save more and have more control over their expenditures. But perhaps most importantly of all, people who are happier are more likely to make a positive contribution to society.
In particular, they are more likely to vote, do voluntary work and participate in public activities. They also have a greater respect for law and order and offer more help to others.
There is even evidence that happiness is contagious, so that happier people help others around them to become happier too. When it comes to the happiness of society as a whole, however, the sad truth is that in recent decades we have become substantially richer but no happier.
The positive benefits of higher incomes have been undermined by rising inequality and falling levels of trust and social cohesion. This is why increasing numbers of policymakers and leaders are now calling for measures of progress to be based on human wellbeing and happiness , not just economic factors such as growth in GDP. This shift towards prioritising happiness is important because this also reflects what the majority of people want. Finding daily ways to use our strengths is a key ingredient for a happy life.
The people in our lives matter. Good relationships are one of the best ways to enjoy happiness, health, and well-being. Developing certain emotional skills can help us form and keep good relationships.
When we are there for the people in our lives — and when they're there for us — we are more resilient, resourceful, and successful. Our lives can be busy with day-to-day activities and responsibilities. Many of us multi-task, so we might race ahead, thinking about the next place we need to be. But slowing down to pay attention to what we're doing and why builds happiness. Pay attention to the effects of your actions.
Notice the ways big or small that you make a difference. Live life based on the values that are important to you. Take time to think of what really matters to you like helping others or protecting the planet. In what way do you want to make the world a better place? Notice any small daily actions that point you in that direction. They help give your life a sense of meaning and increase happiness. When our lives are rich with positive emotions, great relationships, strengths to practice, and a sense of purpose, we are ready to accomplish things.
Setting and achieving goals gives us something to put our energy into. It lets us see how we make a difference. Put effort into things that matter to you. Do your best at whatever you try, without a need to be perfect. If things don't work out at first, keep an optimistic mindset and try again. Believe in yourself and your dreams.
0コメント