Lack of energy is one of the reasons for lack of joie de vivre. There is a previous post with a questionnaire which helps to identify if one is stressed. The following quiz helps to identify energy drains. Most of us know what should be done, yet few do it. The quiz is an indicator.
Questions 1 and 2 are indicators towards sleep and rest; 3 to 7 deal with diet; 8 with exercise; 9 and 10 with lifestyle.
1. Do you usually sleep for at least seven and a half to eight hours each night?
2. Do you rarely wake during the night?
3. Do you eat three well-balanced meals a day at regular intervals?
4. Do you always eat breakfast?
5. Do you eat at least two portions of protein food everyday (meat, fish, eggs, dairy, pulses) as well as two portions of wholegrain carbohydrates (bread, pasta or porridge)?
6. Do you eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day?
7. Do you drink at least one and a half litres of fluid a day, not counting very strong coffee, alcohol or energy drinks and keep your alcohol levels within recommended levels?
8. Are you active, on the go for at least an hour or more a day?
9. Do you feel content and happy with your lot?
10. Do you feel that you have a good work-life balance?
A ‘no’ answer to a question indicates a requirement of attention to that particular aspect.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Thoughts and Reality
Masaru Emoto is a Japanese researcher and author. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s water crystal experiments consist of exposing water to different words, pictures, or music, and then freezing and examining the response in the form of aesthetics of the resulting crystals with microscopic photography.
It is claimed that depending on the different focused intentions, water appears to ‘change its expression’ and images of the water crystals are beautiful (in one study beautiful crystals were defined as symmetric, aesthetically pleasing shapes) or unsightly depending upon whether the words or thoughts were positive or negative.
The children’s version of the book ‘The Message from Water’ is available on the net. It is available in different languages.
Commentators have criticized the research for insufficient experimental controls, and for lack of sharing of sufficient details of the approach. In other experiments scientists have not been able to either accept or reject the findings.
At least there is proof that thoughts and feelings affect physical reality and it would be preferable to maintain an environment of positive thoughts, words and actions.
It is claimed that depending on the different focused intentions, water appears to ‘change its expression’ and images of the water crystals are beautiful (in one study beautiful crystals were defined as symmetric, aesthetically pleasing shapes) or unsightly depending upon whether the words or thoughts were positive or negative.
The children’s version of the book ‘The Message from Water’ is available on the net. It is available in different languages.
Commentators have criticized the research for insufficient experimental controls, and for lack of sharing of sufficient details of the approach. In other experiments scientists have not been able to either accept or reject the findings.
At least there is proof that thoughts and feelings affect physical reality and it would be preferable to maintain an environment of positive thoughts, words and actions.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tips for Happiness And a Novel Term
Robert Holden shares the following ten tips to increase happiness.
1. Define Happiness – A person’ definition of happiness, influences significant decisions in his life.
2. Accept Happiness – Be willing to accept that happiness already exists inside you.
3. Follow Your Joy – Notice what truly inspires you, listen to your heart’s desires and recognize your soul’s purpose.
4. Choose Happiness – Choose instead of chase happiness.
5. Free Happiness – A lot of happiness is overlooked because it doesn’t cost anything.
6. Love Someone – People who give their time, energy and attention to their important relationships are happier.
7. Forgive Now – Forgiveness releases people from their past and positively affects their happiness course.
8. Vocal Gratitude – The more grateful a person, the happier he/she is.
9. Beware Martyrdom – The person and the people around him are happier when he treats himself better.
10. Be Present - Happiness is where you are. The more present one is in each moment, the more happiness he/she will find.
The above tips are discussed more in the slideshow ‘10 Ways to Find Happiness’.
While discussing the satisfaction levels of some individuals, in another related resource, he uses a term "happy-chondria" for a condition based on a belief that any happiness carries an eventual fall and price (A related technical term could be cherophobia). Dr. Robert Holden says that a person has got to dare to let life be great, and trust that happiness can happen and that it can last.
1. Define Happiness – A person’ definition of happiness, influences significant decisions in his life.
2. Accept Happiness – Be willing to accept that happiness already exists inside you.
3. Follow Your Joy – Notice what truly inspires you, listen to your heart’s desires and recognize your soul’s purpose.
4. Choose Happiness – Choose instead of chase happiness.
5. Free Happiness – A lot of happiness is overlooked because it doesn’t cost anything.
6. Love Someone – People who give their time, energy and attention to their important relationships are happier.
7. Forgive Now – Forgiveness releases people from their past and positively affects their happiness course.
8. Vocal Gratitude – The more grateful a person, the happier he/she is.
9. Beware Martyrdom – The person and the people around him are happier when he treats himself better.
10. Be Present - Happiness is where you are. The more present one is in each moment, the more happiness he/she will find.
The above tips are discussed more in the slideshow ‘10 Ways to Find Happiness’.
While discussing the satisfaction levels of some individuals, in another related resource, he uses a term "happy-chondria" for a condition based on a belief that any happiness carries an eventual fall and price (A related technical term could be cherophobia). Dr. Robert Holden says that a person has got to dare to let life be great, and trust that happiness can happen and that it can last.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Endorphin Visualization
Robert Holden is a psychologist, author and broadcaster with expertise in the field of positive psychology and well-being. He holds a Ph.D. in the Psychology of Happiness. He is a personal and professional coach and coaches in business, healthcare, education and sport.
Endorphins are endogenous opioid compounds and have the ability to produce a sense of well-being. Holden suggests the following visualization for a wave of good feel in the body and mind.
Endorphins are endogenous opioid compounds and have the ability to produce a sense of well-being. Holden suggests the following visualization for a wave of good feel in the body and mind.
| Imagine that your body is filled with golden light (It can actually be whatever colour you like – any colour that brings a smile to your face when you think about it.). Now imagine that light flowing throughout your body like a warm liquid, nourishing every cell and organ along the way. If you look closely, you can see tiny little ‘en-dolphins’ swimming in the light. Each ‘en-dolphin’ is a carrier of joy. Imagine yourself diving into the light and swimming with the en-dolphins. You can continue doing this for as long as it feels good. |
Monday, October 5, 2009
Kindly Happy
Kindness is the act or the state of being kind and marked by charitable behaviour, marked by pleasantness, tenderness and concern for others. A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual or in some cases an animal. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier.
A close association has been reported between kindness and happiness. Kind people experience more happiness and have happier memories. A simple intervention of counting acts of kindness daily for a week (‘counting kindness’ intervention) has been shown to increase happiness. By acting kindly and being aware of the acts of kindness, people appear to become happier and more grateful. Variety in the acts of kindness can positively moderate the effect of such strategies.
There is a beautiful, phrase "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty", which may have been coined by peace activist Anne Herbert.
The ‘acts of kindness’ website provides resources and ideas for spreading kindness.
Reference:
Otake K, Shimai S, Tanaka-Matsumi J, Otsui K, Fredrickson BL. Happy people become happier through kindness: a counting kindnesses intervention. J Happiness Stud. 2006 ;7:361-375. [Full text]
A close association has been reported between kindness and happiness. Kind people experience more happiness and have happier memories. A simple intervention of counting acts of kindness daily for a week (‘counting kindness’ intervention) has been shown to increase happiness. By acting kindly and being aware of the acts of kindness, people appear to become happier and more grateful. Variety in the acts of kindness can positively moderate the effect of such strategies.
There is a beautiful, phrase "Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty", which may have been coined by peace activist Anne Herbert.
The ‘acts of kindness’ website provides resources and ideas for spreading kindness.
Reference:
Otake K, Shimai S, Tanaka-Matsumi J, Otsui K, Fredrickson BL. Happy people become happier through kindness: a counting kindnesses intervention. J Happiness Stud. 2006 ;7:361-375. [Full text]
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Gratitude Visit
Expressing gratitude to others is among the most effective ways of raising our own and others' level of happiness and well-being.
The gratitude visit exercise was practised as part of Martin Seligman's positive psychology class and was considered one of the highlights of the class.
For a gratitude visit exercise, Martin Seligman suggests to select one important person from our past who had made a major positive difference in our life and to whom we could never express our gratitude. Then with adequate thought and time, a testimonial expressing our appreciation should be written. The length of the testimonial should be about one page.
When ready, the testimonial should be read to the person face to face and not expressed over phone or sent by mail. We can travel to the person's home or invite him/her over, but not tell the purpose of the meeting in advance. After settling down, the testimonial can be read aloud slowly, with expression and with eye contact. A laminated version of the testimonial should be a gift.
Expressing appreciation in this manner positively impacts relationships and the happiness of both the recipient and the person coveying gratitude.
The gratitude visit exercise was practised as part of Martin Seligman's positive psychology class and was considered one of the highlights of the class.
For a gratitude visit exercise, Martin Seligman suggests to select one important person from our past who had made a major positive difference in our life and to whom we could never express our gratitude. Then with adequate thought and time, a testimonial expressing our appreciation should be written. The length of the testimonial should be about one page.
When ready, the testimonial should be read to the person face to face and not expressed over phone or sent by mail. We can travel to the person's home or invite him/her over, but not tell the purpose of the meeting in advance. After settling down, the testimonial can be read aloud slowly, with expression and with eye contact. A laminated version of the testimonial should be a gift.
Expressing appreciation in this manner positively impacts relationships and the happiness of both the recipient and the person coveying gratitude.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Gratitude
The word gratitude is derived from the Latin word gratia, meaning grace, graciousness, or gratefulness.
Typically gratitude originates from the perception of a positive personal outcome, not necessarily deserved or earned, that is due to the actions of another person.
Gratitude interventions have been evaluated favourably in studies. Writing down up to five things major or minor for which one is grateful or thankful for, on a daily or even weekly basis has been shown to increase the sense of well being in study participants.
Putting aside a minute or two everyday to express gratitude can have far reaching consequences. Experiences of gratitude have been associated with happiness, positive emotions and well being. Grateful people are less depressed, less stressed, have more positive traits and are more satisfied with their lives and social relationships.
To avoid habituation, Sonja Lyubomirsky suggests that the exercise be done on a weekly basis. Tal Ben-Shahar says that to ingrain it, the exercise be done daily and to maintain freshness one should make a conscious effort to diversify the elements. Independent studies have shown both methods to be effective.
One can practice the exercise with children by asking them at night what was fun for them during the whole day.
Reference:
Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;84:377-89. [Abstract] [Full text]
Typically gratitude originates from the perception of a positive personal outcome, not necessarily deserved or earned, that is due to the actions of another person.
Gratitude interventions have been evaluated favourably in studies. Writing down up to five things major or minor for which one is grateful or thankful for, on a daily or even weekly basis has been shown to increase the sense of well being in study participants.
Putting aside a minute or two everyday to express gratitude can have far reaching consequences. Experiences of gratitude have been associated with happiness, positive emotions and well being. Grateful people are less depressed, less stressed, have more positive traits and are more satisfied with their lives and social relationships.
To avoid habituation, Sonja Lyubomirsky suggests that the exercise be done on a weekly basis. Tal Ben-Shahar says that to ingrain it, the exercise be done daily and to maintain freshness one should make a conscious effort to diversify the elements. Independent studies have shown both methods to be effective.
One can practice the exercise with children by asking them at night what was fun for them during the whole day.
Reference:
Emmons RA, McCullough ME. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2003;84:377-89. [Abstract] [Full text]
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