April 2007

Some time ago I came across the following great quote: "If we are facing the right direction, all we have to do is walk." Although this doesn't need much translation to make sense in the world of happiness, I offer the following: "If we know...

10 April, 2007

New research shows that when people give, especially when they start young, everything from life-satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly affected. A study conducted by the nation's top universities - including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford and the University of Chicago - revealed people who...

09 April, 2007

I talk a lot about happiness and those who've heard me speak know that I place a lot of emphasis on the doing, not just the thinking. As important as contemplation and reflection are, so too is action and application vitally important. But having...

09 April, 2007

Studying happiness is hard. What one man loves another loathes. One woman's joy is another's junk. Social scientists, therefore, have generally left the contemplation of smiles and satisfaction to poets and philosophers. But that's changing. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a leading expert on well-being, is establishing what...

09 April, 2007

IT seems the old saying is true - the best things in life really are free. The top happiness-giver is quite simply spending time with friends and loved ones, according to a survey. Other joys included finding a seat on the train, hearing a favourite...

09 April, 2007

IT'S the state of mind most of us aspire to, but it can often be elusive. Helen Hawkes discovers how to be happy. To be happy you would need: a) a highly paid job; b) perfect health; c) a partner who looked like Hugh Jackman/Scarlett Johansson...

09 April, 2007

Depression can make a person feel unusually sad, worthless, uninterested in activities that used to be fun, restless or even suicidal for several weeks or longer. Depression is a serious illness that requires professional treatment, often with a combination of medication and psychological therapy. The American...

09 April, 2007

Positive thinking and regular exercise can help deal with depression, suggest US physicians. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) advises people not to foster negative thoughts like fear of failure. Instead, replace them with positive thinking, it says. And get as much exercise as possible...

09 April, 2007

I'm about to sign off soon for a bit of "down-time" (or maybe it should be called "up-time" as I'm hoping it will involve plenty of happiness!). Here in Sydney, and I guess in many other places too, we're about to enjoy the Easter...

05 April, 2007

...and I just discovered, in my happiness archives, another article by Lou on relationships which as I noted in my previous blog posting is a vitally important component of happiness and wellbeing. So again, it brings me great happiness (and I hope it adds to...

05 April, 2007