You can choose activities to create greater happiness and richer life experiences based on quantitative and qualitative evidence. You can. When you think you’ve heard or read too much woo-woo about how you can have more daily joy and lasting fulfillment, shift your focus and soak up some science. It’s here, you see. Researchers have measured and verified the ways that happy people create joy and meaning in their lives, and like “the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” these Five Strategies are so pure and simple.
Some of the most compelling research on human well-being was gathered and reported in a research project in Great Britain for the “Foresight Programme” [http://www.bis.gov.uk/foresight]. In summary, the evidence collects under five headings for “Here’s How to Activate Happiness” in your life: Connect, Get Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.
Part One: Connect
Happiness depends on CONNECTING. Across all ages, people have a greater degree of well-being if their lifestyles promote and nurture social relationships. Positive psychologists and life coaches encourage their clients to connect to family, colleagues and neighbors and to consider these relationships as the cornerstones of their lives, investing quality and quantity time in developing their connections to other people. Evidence shows that healthy social relationships can fundamentally serve as buffers against challenges to our mental health. This seems particularly relevant to me as an advocate for healthy living for people approaching and over 50. As we age and grapple with challenges to our physical, emotional and mental health, we can be heartened and strengthened by the love and support from the relationships we’ve built in love, at work and at play.
I found it interesting that they explored the different qualities of life that were enhanced by relationships that could be defined as “strong” or “broad.” Let me explain the distinction. Researchers describe strong social relationships as ones that are supportive, encouraging and meaningful. Happy people typically have a small group of loved ones with whom they have a deep and lasting bond, calling this group their core network. Broad social relationships with a greater number of people may provide happy people with a vast number of connections, but these relationships may not be close and may lack depth. Still, broad social connections are important for feelings of belongingness and for a greater sense of self-worth. Ideally, I think a happy person has C, all of the above.
To be happy, you connect to people for love, validation and motivation, building strong relationships for support and comfort and broad relationships for friendship and affirmation.
Beautiful.
Doctor Mell
Stay Tuned: Next Blog is Part Two: Get Active
