Are you happy?
According to the World Happiness Report, the United States moved up in its happiness ranking during the pandemic from #19 to #16. The World Happiness Report uses global survey data to report how people evaluate their own lives in 146 countries. The 2022 report marks its 10th anniversary and, during this time, we have found that happiness can be measured and that we know a great deal of what causes it. Policy makers around the world now view happiness as not only important but an overarching objective of public policy.
In this report happiness is defined by: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, perception of corruption and dystopia plus residual. To learn more about these measurements and the statistical analysis of this 158-page report go to: https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2022/
The report also found that although the pandemic resulted in great pain and suffering, it also was a time of greater social support and kindness and good will.
Keys to Building 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 is now recognized as a critical component in policy development.
Happiness is now measurable.
The science of happiness has become highly researched.
Best Practices
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.
Things to Limit
Focusing on what you do not have.
Comparing yourself to others.
Negative self-talk.
Quote of the Week
“Happiness is like a butterfly: the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”
~Henry David Thoreau
In conclusion, happiness is known to be central to the individual and a country’s well-being. Understanding the ingredients of happiness and how it is magnified can offer each of us insights to its achievement.
Be well,
The paraDocs
Picture by Richard Brutyo on Unsplash
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.
We have developed "The ZONE", because that is exactly where you want to be during this pandemic. A place of focused attention to doing exactly what needs to be done to get you to where you need to be. The purpose of The Zone is to provide a nationally distributed weekly mental-health and nutrition tip-sheet during times of change.
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