There sure is a lot of happiness going around - - videos going viral with giggling babies, happy dogs and even happy elephants. For the past year we've watched montages of people joyfully taking to the streets dancing to the infamous Pharrell Williams’ hit song, “Happy.”
So, what exactly is the message here? Is the new measure of a successful life based on happy stickers, dancing around the room and laughing five times a day?
The expectation is exhausting. Just ask tired caregivers, or people who live
with ALS, Fibromyalgia, MS, or any other energy sapping condition - - maintaining an all-day “Zippity-Do-Dah” attitude is nearly impossible.
Add in the fact that numerous studies link happiness directly to biological markers that play an important role in our health. Heart rate, immune system, stress hormones and pain all respond to psychological influences. Being happy can even increase life span; by up to 7.5 to 10 years!
Are some of us failures? Or have we lost sight of what happiness really is?
Are some of us failures? Or have we lost sight of what happiness really is?
Happiness can mean different things to different
people. Originally, happiness stood for:
The ability to live life in a full and deeply satisfying way.
Positive emotion - Feeling positive about oneself and those around you. Examples are: experiencing the positive emotions of peace, satisfaction, curiosity, gratitude, hope or love. Enjoying yourself in the here and now.
Engagement - When we're truly engaged in a situation, task or project, we experience a state of flow - - time seems to stop, we lose our sense of self, we feel good. The more we experience this type of engagement the more likely we are to experience well-being.
Relationships - Meaningful, positive social ties with others. Surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good and with whom you want to spend time with.
Meaning - Belonging to and serving a cause bigger than oneself. Whether it is a specific religion or helping humanity or the world in some way, we need meaning in our lives to have a sense of well-being.
Achievement - Having a tangible goal - - whether it be a skill, award, or recognition. Accomplishment contributes to our ability to flourish and live a positive life.
The answer may surprise you. It's what our central nervous system naturally returns to following bouts of physical highs and lows. A neutral state of relaxed calm; with our blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and hormones all at their normal levels.
Physically, this is achieved when the body has been adequately exercised, rested, fed and hydrated.
Mind-body exercise, aerobic exercise, massage, sleep and quality nutrition contribute to our body's "happiness" and well-being.
The bottom line is, we can all be "happy,"
I invite you think about your own interpretation of happiness and well-being, and to take steps to begin living your life in a full and deeply satisfying way.
Find your own true happiness. I do, every day as I live with ALS.
If you want to learn more, I recommend either of Dr. Seligman's books:
"Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being"
by Martin E. P. Seligman. Published by Free Press, 2011.
or:
"Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize
Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment" by Martin E.P. Seligman. 2004
"Happiness doesn't just happen; it emerges."
Terri Trespicio
If these five elements bring well-being to our minds,
what makes our bodies happy?
The answer may surprise you. It's what our central nervous system naturally returns to following bouts of physical highs and lows. A neutral state of relaxed calm; with our blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and hormones all at their normal levels.
Physically, this is achieved when the body has been adequately exercised, rested, fed and hydrated.
Mind-body exercise, aerobic exercise, massage, sleep and quality nutrition contribute to our body's "happiness" and well-being.
Happiness in Context
The bottom line is, we can all be "happy,"
I invite you think about your own interpretation of happiness and well-being, and to take steps to begin living your life in a full and deeply satisfying way.
Find your own true happiness. I do, every day as I live with ALS.
___________________________________
"Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being"
by Martin E. P. Seligman. Published by Free Press, 2011.
or:
"Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize
Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment" by Martin E.P. Seligman. 2004
And here is a great video interview with Dr. Seligman on 'Flourishing - a new understanding of wellbeing' filmed at the Happiness & Its Causes conference in 2012:
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| Dagmar Munn ALS and Wellness Blogger |
"Happiness doesn't just happen; it emerges."
Terri Trespicio
I like this statement from the wife of a man who has ALS:
ReplyDelete“Here’s the hard truth. I’m not grateful that Jon has ALS. But I don’t believe we need to be grateful FOR our trials, we need to be grateful IN our trials. Our happiness can’t hinge on our circumstances. We can choose to live at the mercy of what happens to us, or we can choose to live a life of happiness.
"Sometimes we feel sad. It doesn’t change the fact that we choose to be happy.”
My husband was diagnosed w ALS last January, 10 month ago. He has lost muscles and needdaily help w small things. Future is sometimes scary. But oh,he can still hug me. And I certainly enjoy looking at his beautiful head and neck when we share a meal. We have been lovers for 56 years and we still are.
ReplyDeleteKarin, SWEDEN