We all want to be happy but I bet being happy is not something
that you usually think to seek for itself. Even though - worldwide -
people rank happiness as highly as making money or having a good
relationship, happiness is often seen as too PollyAnnaish, new-agey, or
frivolous to be pursued seriously.
Especially, in hard times we don't think we should be happy - like if you were happy then you wouldn't be part of the group of suffering people any more.
Not one of my clients has ever come to me with the explicit goal of increasing their happiness. And maybe most of you think that given the current state of affairs there are much more serious and important things to be dealing with.
But research from many different fields clearly shows:
Your happiness is your most valuable personal resource to achieve what it is you want in your life. And in stressful circumstances it is even more important because it is the one asset that will enable you to find those creative solutions that will lift you out of the turmoil.
It appears that happiness in and of itself is clearly beneficial and can truly help you live a better life and get what you want out of life. On every single measure of well-being, happier people do better. Being happier is unquestionably beneficial at home, at work, personally, professionally, individually, in relationships, in groups, and in organizations.
If you are thinking that getting happier is something you will pay attention to after you get the "more important, more valuable, and more legitimate" things in your life handled - you should think again.
Experiencing more positive emotions is associated with:
It is not just that having these things makes you happier. Being happier actually brings about these benefits.
And take a look at that list again. Aren't those the characteristics, attributes, and results that are going to be the most use to you in troubled times - that will give you the most resilience and buffer you the most from the effects of stress?
There are mountains of evidence that being happier is good for you - in every way- and is the most valuable capital you can have for living a meaningful, fulfilled, and successful life. The question of whether you want to be happier should be a no-brainer.
So how do you get happier?
If you are waiting for your life circumstances to change to get happier you are going about it backwards. It won't do it for you in the long run. Research is clear that life circumstances make up only a small portion of happiness. And that's a good thing too - because you don't want to be waiting around for circumstances to change for you to get the benefits and energy of being happy.
Even though we could all be happier if some part of our life situation changed it would only be a small and short-lived contribution to our overall feelings of well-being.
What about genetics? Yes, it is true that some of us are pre-wired for more happiness and can get happier easier - but again this accounts for only a small portion of our happiness.
Here is the good news about happiness:
No matter who you are or what your life circumstances are you can learn how to experience more happiness and gain all those incredible happiness strengths and benefits.
It appears that the best place to start to increase your happiness and well-being is in everyday activities and behaviors over which you have personal and direct control. You can't change your genetic make up and changing life circumstances takes a heavy investment of time and energy and there are some national and global trends that are tough to change. But it is a straightforward matter to change your daily routines and practices - easily within your reach - no matter what circumstances you are faced with.
It is in your daily lives and everyday behaviors and activities where you have the greatest choice and most direct control - and that has the greatest potential for increasing your happiness.
Now just think about this for a minute:
If being happier helps me make more money, live longer and be healthier, and have a wonderful relationship. And being happier makes it more likely that I will get what I want in my life. And I have control over my happiness by changing my everyday behaviors and activities. I can actually learn how to be happier.
As you think about it - it becomes an easy decision. Of course, you want to be happier and you want to find out how.
Get started today. Go for it - Get happier! There are specific tools and techniques that are aimed specifically at raising your happiness level.
Don't wait for a government bail out - take action now and bail yourself out of any mess you're in. And don't wait for those "more important" things to be taken care of either. Invest now in yourself and the future of the life you want and the person you want to be.
Especially, in hard times we don't think we should be happy - like if you were happy then you wouldn't be part of the group of suffering people any more.
Not one of my clients has ever come to me with the explicit goal of increasing their happiness. And maybe most of you think that given the current state of affairs there are much more serious and important things to be dealing with.
But research from many different fields clearly shows:
Your happiness is your most valuable personal resource to achieve what it is you want in your life. And in stressful circumstances it is even more important because it is the one asset that will enable you to find those creative solutions that will lift you out of the turmoil.
It appears that happiness in and of itself is clearly beneficial and can truly help you live a better life and get what you want out of life. On every single measure of well-being, happier people do better. Being happier is unquestionably beneficial at home, at work, personally, professionally, individually, in relationships, in groups, and in organizations.
If you are thinking that getting happier is something you will pay attention to after you get the "more important, more valuable, and more legitimate" things in your life handled - you should think again.
Experiencing more positive emotions is associated with:
- Making more money
- Being healthier
- Living longer
- Getting better jobs
- Having better relationships
- Participating in more social activities
- Getting higher customer ratings and supervisor evaluations
- Being liked by more people
- Taking fewer sick days
- Being more creative
- Helping others more
- Coping better with your life circumstances
- Getting better grades
- Thinking more clearly and expansively
It is not just that having these things makes you happier. Being happier actually brings about these benefits.
And take a look at that list again. Aren't those the characteristics, attributes, and results that are going to be the most use to you in troubled times - that will give you the most resilience and buffer you the most from the effects of stress?
There are mountains of evidence that being happier is good for you - in every way- and is the most valuable capital you can have for living a meaningful, fulfilled, and successful life. The question of whether you want to be happier should be a no-brainer.
So how do you get happier?
If you are waiting for your life circumstances to change to get happier you are going about it backwards. It won't do it for you in the long run. Research is clear that life circumstances make up only a small portion of happiness. And that's a good thing too - because you don't want to be waiting around for circumstances to change for you to get the benefits and energy of being happy.
Even though we could all be happier if some part of our life situation changed it would only be a small and short-lived contribution to our overall feelings of well-being.
What about genetics? Yes, it is true that some of us are pre-wired for more happiness and can get happier easier - but again this accounts for only a small portion of our happiness.
Here is the good news about happiness:
No matter who you are or what your life circumstances are you can learn how to experience more happiness and gain all those incredible happiness strengths and benefits.
It appears that the best place to start to increase your happiness and well-being is in everyday activities and behaviors over which you have personal and direct control. You can't change your genetic make up and changing life circumstances takes a heavy investment of time and energy and there are some national and global trends that are tough to change. But it is a straightforward matter to change your daily routines and practices - easily within your reach - no matter what circumstances you are faced with.
It is in your daily lives and everyday behaviors and activities where you have the greatest choice and most direct control - and that has the greatest potential for increasing your happiness.
Now just think about this for a minute:
If being happier helps me make more money, live longer and be healthier, and have a wonderful relationship. And being happier makes it more likely that I will get what I want in my life. And I have control over my happiness by changing my everyday behaviors and activities. I can actually learn how to be happier.
As you think about it - it becomes an easy decision. Of course, you want to be happier and you want to find out how.
Get started today. Go for it - Get happier! There are specific tools and techniques that are aimed specifically at raising your happiness level.
Don't wait for a government bail out - take action now and bail yourself out of any mess you're in. And don't wait for those "more important" things to be taken care of either. Invest now in yourself and the future of the life you want and the person you want to be.
Mary Ann Copson is a Mood and Brain Chemistry expert. She
can help you bring your brain chemistry back into balance with
nutritional and wellness, dietary, herbal, supplement, lifestyle, and
personal foundations recommendations. Moods, Neurotransmitters and Brain Chemistry
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Ann_Copson
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