26 Mar Take time out for happiness
One of my favourite psychology studies investigated the difference between the top few tennis players in the world and the next 90 or so (who were still very good tennis players).
Although not directly relevant to happiness I think there are many ways to find useful links.
In short, the study found that one of the factors that differentiated these super-players was, and think about this, their resting pulse rate in between points. That is, the top players had a significantly lower pulse rate in between active playing moments. On many other measures, of fitness and skill etc they were very comparable.
So what does this mean? And more importantly, what does this mean for happiness?
Well, one interpretation is that the best of the best were better at switching off when they didn't need to be on!
They played hard and they focused during the point; of course they did. They were, remember, the top players in the world. But inbetween points they knew and were skilled at taking time out; resting, recouperating; switching off…and as a result they were better able to switch on when they needed to.
So although we need to work at happiness and practice our positive psychology skills and, well, I think you get the idea we also should, from time to time (and probably more than most of us to)…switch off; just relax; just be and go with the flow.
So that's what I intend to do this weekend and I hope you do too…well, what I really hope is that whatever you do brings you happiness. And as always, I'd love to hear what you think…