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Follow on Google News | Americans Unhappy, Reports RevealReports uncover strong majority of Americans are unhappy in their current jobs and that many professionally successful people–and those with notable wealth—are actually not happy.
By: Jackie Ruka “As a society we’ve gotten it backwards: it is happiness that leads to success not vice versa,” notes “America’s Happyologist” The field of “positive psychology” has, in fact, dug deep and formerly recognized that a person’s thoughts and actions can have a significant effect on their happiness and life fulfillment. “Forward-thinking companies such as Zappos, Google and Pfizer foster happiness as part of their company culture, by offering mindfulness programs and by instituting practices that help preserve work-life balance,” Ruka points out. “Of course we should not become dependent upon Corporate America to usher in this sorely needed paradigm shift. The more individuals recognize that we are each responsible for our own happiness, the closer we are to seeing that collective happiness manifest, resulting in improved relationships, careers, finances and both physical and emotional health. By adopting a new measurement of ‘Gross Domestic Happiness’ (GDH) in the U.S., we can proactively change and adjust meaningfulness, where needed, to address the unhappiness that undermines American prosperity at all levels.” With all of this in mind, Ruka offers this list of 10 scientifically proven happiness strategies: Savor ordinary events. Study participants who took the time to do this “showed significant increases in happiness and reductions in depression,” Avoid comparisons. Focusing on your own personal achievements instead of making comparisons to others will better impact your happiness and self-esteem, according to Lyubomirsky, which leads to greater life satisfaction. It’s easy to lose sight of what achievements— Put money low on the list. According to researchers Kasser and Ryan, those who put money high on their priority list are at greater risk for depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. “Money-seekers also score lower on tests of vitality and self-actualization,” Have meaningful goals. As humans, we thrive on having a purpose, but what is purpose if there is no meaning behind it? “People who strive for something significant, whether it’s learning a new craft or raising moral children, are far happier than those who don’t have strong dreams or aspirations,” Take initiative at work. Researcher Amy Wrzesniewski says that, “when we express creativity, help others, suggest improvements or do additional tasks on the job, we make our work more rewarding and feel more in control.” Make friends and treasure family. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we need relationships. Sometimes we underestimate the importance of such connections. And, the more genuine the better as Diener and Biswas-Diener notes, “We don’t just need relationships; Fake it until you make it. This actually works, according to Diener and Biswas-Diener, who assert, “Happy people see possibilities, opportunities, and success. When they think of the future, they are optimistic, and when they review the past, they tend to savor the high points.” This may take some practice, so try to smile even when you don’t feel like it. Keep a gratitude journal. When you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, you can either become a time bomb waiting to go off or you can recalibrate. An excellent tool for detoxing and redirecting your thoughts is with a gratitude journal. Get moving. According to a Duke University study, exercise may be as effective as drugs in treating even major depression. Exercise releases endorphins, the feel good hormone. Duke researcher Blumenthal suggested that “exercise may be beneficial because patients are actually taking an active role in trying to get better...patients who exercised may have felt a greater sense of mastery over their condition and gained a greater sense of accomplishment. They felt more self-confident and had better self-esteem...” Serve others. This is often referred to as a “helper’s high.” According to ethicist and researcher Stephen Post, helping a neighbor, volunteering, and donating goods and services results in more health benefits than exercising or quitting smoking. Ruka concludes, “With so much science underscoring that we are active participants in the process, I prefer to regard happiness as a verb. Indeed, navigating happiness is a journey filled with a series of actions...it’ “America’s Happyologist” End
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