A conversation we're having at getfit.com right now is about happiness and what it means to be "happy". Our sister site TheWellnessShop.co.uk addresses what it is to feel down in the dumps with our programme Beating the Blues. But we thought that it could be a good idea to take some time to think about what happiness is from a personal perspective, and like everything we do, a scientific perspective.
The best scientific description of what it means to be happy is the PERMA theory from the area of postive psychology. This week we'll be tweeting about these and giving little thought on how you can start seeing the positives in your life (even if things aren't going so well).
Because like the saying goes "you are what you eat”,
We think it's not too far from the truth that "you are what you think"
At least that if you focus on the negative, it's much more likely that you'll be a negative person. So to give the opposite a go for this week, we'd encourage you to focus on the positive or see the good aspects of whatever happens. Missing the train can sometimes mean that the next one is less crowded...
Positive emotion: This is the "feeling good" aspect of being happy
Engagement (being in the flow): This is the "absorbed and challenged" aspect of happiness
Relationship (and social connections): We are social beings after all, so feeling supported and loved is a vital aspect of happiness
Meaning (and purpose): Happy people tend to have something that gives their lives meaning - This can appear as religion for some, family for others. But I guess it could be thought of as that thing that gets you going and inspired...
Accomplishments *(and winning): It doesn't need to be winning at the expense of someone losing. Accomplishing a difficult task or finishing an adult learning course gives a sense of growth and development. It could be as simple as getting through a difficult day without giving in to negativity
Just remember that you can have all of these things but your outlook on them is just as important.
Some people call this optimism...
A Happy dog's Diary
8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favourite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favourite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favourite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favourite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favourite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favourite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favourite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favourite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favourite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favourite thing!
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