The principles of happiness

Whilst on holiday in Scotland in 2009, I picked the weekend Guardian, and having time to sit down and read the supplement all about happiness (being on holiday and chilled...and it was raining...), liked a lot of the principles.

The various articles outline the fact that happiness research has come a long way. Research has hit upon a list of principles and activities that can have a lasting effect:

  • Express gratitude every day (sounds cliched, but "attitude diaries" where you list 3-5 things regularly for which you are currently thankful seem to work even for the most cynical!)
  • Cultivate optimism; visualise a future in which everything has tuned out the way you want it
  • Regular exercise
  • Avoid obsessing over things or paying too much attention to what others are doing
  • Practice acts of kindness; more than you are used to
  • Make time for friends; be supportive and loyal
  • Develop coping strategies; write down your feelings when you are feeling upset and try to see that traumatic evenets often make us stronger
  • Learn to forgive
  • Immerse yourself in activities and be open to new people and new places
  • Savour life's joys; linger over a sandwich rather than just mindlessly consuming it
  • Work towards meaningful works/goals
  • Practice religion and/or spirituality
  • Spend time in nature
  • Spend your money on experiences, not objects

User comments

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#1. Blog by Athlone on 14/09/2009 09:47:50

Some useful and thought provoking articles in these blogs. There was an interesting article in the Telegraph Seven magazine yesterday on positive attitudes and whether or not life coaching can give meaning to people's lives.

#2. Response by david on 11/10/2009 18:58:56

Thanks for the kind comments. Will try and get hold of the Telegraph article, as do lots of 1-1 Coaching, and interested in what the articles says
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