Practice | Live Happy

Can Happiness Save the Planet?

Jenny Jenkins grew up caring for the planet, so it’s no surprise that she has instilled those same values in her children. Today, the mother of four says it’s become second nature for her and her husband, Cliff, to practice a low-impact, environmentally friendly lifestyle.“Because I grew up thinking this way, it’s not hard,” says Jenny, a high school guidance counselor in Cincinnati, Ohio. “I think we’re happier because we live a less cluttered life. And now we see our kids doing some of the same things.”Experiences over thingsWith an emphasis on shared experiences and family activities over products and purchases, Jenny’s family values togetherness and an active lifestyle. “We all love the outdoors, so we’ll walk wherever we can—like to the grocery store or the farmer’s market—instead of driving. It means that we spend more time together than a lot of families do, and it also is good for us because of the physical activity. And, even just walking to the hardware store, you’re getting outside and connecting with nature, and that makes you happier.”Today, experts say that mindset is just what the planet needs. People who are happier have been found to be less focused on “things” and more focused on fulfilling activities and social relationships, which brings with it a built-in benefit for Mother Earth.Happy people make more responsible consumers?In a recent study, Miriam Tatzel, Ph.D., of Empire State College, State University of New York, found that happy people share one very distinctive trait: They value and seek out experiences instead of possessions. This trait could be the key to creating a healthier planet, she told the American Psychological Association at its convention in August in her presentation, “Consumer Well-Being & Environmental Well-Being: A Surprising Compatibility.”“Consumerism and all the stuff we make harms the environment [through] pollution, climate change, degradation of natural resources,” she says. In the past, a popularscientific viewpoint has been that saving the planet would only be possible if consumers’ consumption habits could be changed. However, she now believes that saving the planet could be as simple as emphasizing happiness.“If people spend less time working and spending, they have more time for relationships and personal interests,” Miriam says. “People who are less materialistic tend to be happier and more satisfied with their lives.”Teaching it to the next generationJenny says she has seen that mindset blossom in her children. “I’m not saying we don’t have any ‘stuff,’ because we do, but we mostly do activities instead of [giving traditional] gifts,” she says. For example, this year they bought family season passes to a ski slope instead of buying items like Xboxes and iPads.“When you start thinking that way, experiences become more important,” Jenny says. “The kids appreciate them more, and it actually is something they’d prefer over regular toys and presents.”Read more about cutting down on consumer clutter.Of course, convincing most consumers not to buy the latest gadget or to skip getting that shiny new car can be a tough sell. In America, consumer debt continues growing, inching up another 3.3 percent in 2014; credit card debt is outpaced only by mortgage and student loan debt.The consequences of consumer debt extend far beyond dismal credit scores; debt also can have serious side effects that impair mood and state of mind. It often is accompanied by stress, fear, anger and depression, according to debt expert Bill Fay of Debt.org. Making people happier with their personal lives could help them downsize their debts while having a ripple effect of creating a happier, more environmentally conscious society overall, Miriam says.Creating an upward spiralCatherine O’Brien, Ph.D., an expert in sustainability education, discovered the link between sustainable living and happiness while working on her doctorate at Barefoot College in Rajasthan, India, in the mid-1990s. “I found that not only did the people there live sustainably, but it was a culture filled with joy,” she says. “They were wildly creative and imaginative. And I had a novel thought that, if we live sustainably, we might be happier.”That thought became the basis for her concept of Sustainable Happiness, which combines principles of positive psychology with a sustainability mindset. As the positive psychology movement gained traction, Catherine saw more areas where it connected with sustainability and created a complete educational platform combining the two.A message of spiritual and emotional abundance“People were tired of hearing environmental messages,” she says, adding that many environmental messages were equated with making sacrifices and relinquishing creature comforts. “I knew that if people could hear the happiness message, it would accelerate their interest. Everyone has an interest in happiness.”Catherine’s Sustainable Happiness teachings look at how fewer material possessions and a deeper connection to the Earth can pave the way to a happier, healthier life. “This is not a new thing, and it’s not something I invented,” she says. “Many indigenous cultures are built on this. It’s about thinking about what we can do to live happily and connect with other people.And in doing so, you often begin making choices that reduce your footprint. It’s not necessarily that you’re thinking about being environmentally friendly, it’s that the activity you choose to participate in has other benefits [for the planet] associated with it.”Happiness as a side effectWhile many of the choices made by happier people are good for the planet, it has also been found that being good to the planet can generate feelings of happiness. So which comes first—personal wellbeing, or caring for the planet? Societies that practice sustainability are shown to be happier than their less environmentally minded counterparts.That’s the foundation of the Happy Planet Index, which was introduced in 2006 by the New Economics Foundation. The global measurement standard multiplies an index of life satisfaction and the life expectancy average of each country’s residents, then divides that by the ecological footprint of the country. Results consistently show that residents with a smaller ecological footprint register greater levels of happiness, satisfaction and wellbeing.Read more on sustainability and going green.In the “State of the World” report developed for The Worldwatch Institute, economist John Talberth, Ph.D., and then director of the Sustainability Indicators Program atRedefining Progress in Oakland, California writes that societies or individuals who practice sustainability and pro-environmental behavior have a greater sense of subjective wellbeing.Meanwhile, a study published in September in the journal Frontiers also found that people who exhibit pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors showed greater signs ofpositivity and well-being.“I think it depends on the individual,” Catherine says. “Some people may think about how they can live happily and connect with others, and that’s going to lead them to dothings that are good for the planet.” Others, she says, may be concerned for the planet and seek out earth-friendly activities that connect them with nature and with other like-minded individuals, both of which are known happiness boosters.Naturally happy“Being in nature, or even just looking at it, is associated with a number of positive physical and mental outcomes, including reduced stress, increased attention and greater self-control,” says Misha Voloaca of the University of Ottawa Well-Being Lab. His current research is centered on the role happiness plays in connecting with nature. “There is good evidence showing that people who are more connected to nature have smaller ecological footprints.Importantly, such people also tend to be happier and more mindful in everyday life. [It supports] both personal and environmental well-being.” Victor Corral-Verdugo of theDepartment of Psychology at the University of Sonora at Hermosillo, Mexico, agrees. His recent study, “Happiness as a Correlate of Sustainable Behavior: A Study of Pro-Ecological, Frugal, Equitable and Altruistic Actions That Promote Subjective Wellbeing,” published in the journal Human Ecology Review, reviews numerous studies on the topic and introduces his own observations. He concludes that the benefits of pro-environmental practices are so positive that they lead to further conservation efforts, which in turn generates a continuing upward spiral of happiness.Victor and his colleagues studied the relationship between sustainable behavior and happiness among college students in Mexico, an area he intentionally selected because it has both environmental and social concerns. He was interested in learning if positive behaviors could offset some of the effects of the environmental problems while at the same time increasing the happiness of its citizens.“According to our results…the more pro-ecological, altruistic, frugal and equitable a person is, the more feelings of happiness (s)he experiences,” Victor finds. He echoes Catherine’s belief that if people knew about the positive consequences of adopting a pro-environmental lifestyle, more people would be eager to participate. And Jenny says it is something her family benefits from every day.“When you’re moving around in nature, eating better and spending time with your family, you’re naturally going to feel better,” she says. “Physically, you feel better. The way you’re living makes you happier. It’s kind of common sense.”

Practice

Happiness Around the World

Abandoned as an infant on the streets of Calcutta, India, Jayme Illien was taken to Mother Teresa’s International Mission of Hope orphanage. There, by chance, someone knew of a woman in the United States desperately wanting to adopt a child.“My adopted mother got a call on her 45th birthday saying, ‘We have a baby for you,’ ” he says. Anna Belle Illien not only adopted Jayme, but after experiencing the challenges of the process firsthand also founded Illien Adoptions International, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of American parents navigate the international adoption process.“What I saw as I traveled with her were thousands of children (in orphanages) who were just like me,” says Jayme, who is now an adviser to the United Nations and founder of Illien GlobalPublic Benefit Corporation, which works with business, governments and different segments of society to promote a message of happiness. “I realized how fortunate I was, and that became my inspiration to do something about it….I felt a responsibility to do something with what I’ve been given.”His mission, he realized, was to share what he believes to be the purpose of life: happiness. And while the definition of happiness is as unique as we are, our ages-old quest for it is universal, going beyond age, country, belief and circumstance.Yet it has only been in the last decade that psychologists and scientists began taking a closer look at why happiness results in more than smiles on our faces; rather, why there is an undeniable link between our happiness and improved health, longevity, relationships and success at work. And, on a grander scale, how our government’s policies, our nation’s economic health and even communities’ decisions can shape and affect our wellbeing and happiness.More than MoneyIn China, a country that has experienced record levels of economic growth in the past two decades, the shift to focusing on well-being was not so much a choice as a necessity. An increase in suicides caught the government’s attention, says Kaiping Peng, Ph.D., dean of China’s Tsinghua University’s psychology department. In short, life satisfaction had plummeted. And China wasn’t alone. Post-World War II Japan, where incomes quintupled in three decades, and Korea, during its period of brisk development in the 1950s and ’60s, shared similar experiences, says Carol Graham, Ph.D., author of The Pursuit of Happiness: An Economy of Well-Being.“From a policy perspective, from a human welfare perspective, it’s important to understand that these kinds of progress boosts can also have negative externalities for people,” Carol says. “We are beyond a world where more and more income is the be all and end all.”Kaiping sees China’s satisfaction challenges as a byproduct of economic growth and resulting rapid urbanization. The country is countering that by encouraging the rising popularity of positive psychology studies, including collaborating with other countries on the topic and establishing the Happy City movement.One city participating is Jiangyin, about 90 miles northwest of Shanghai. Since it initiated the Happy Jiangyin Project in 2006, which aims to improve people’s lives by increasing their economic opportunities and creating a healthier environment, Jiangyin has seen its citizens’ well-being increase two to three points every year. Among the initiatives resulting from the project was the addition of industrial and agricultural parks in the village of Huaxi, earning it the nickname “the first village under heaven.”“We have come to understand what Buddha told humanity more than 2,000 years ago: Money alone does not buy happiness,” says Jeffrey Sachs, Ph.D., renowned economist and senior U.N. adviser. “To achieve happiness, we need healthy societies, honest governments, social trust, and honoring and protecting the natural environment.”Jayme agrees. “Monitoring only economic growth is not the right way to run a country,” he says. “That’s like having a car and only having a speedometer—there are alot of complexities, a lot of other factors that enter in.”The Science of HappinessFor the United Kingdom, happiness was political. And in the wake of the economic crash of 2008 came a moment of readjustment, a window of opportunity that the happiness movement easily filled.“I think part of that was going beyond the kind of narrow view that the things that matter in life are the things you can count, or the things that have money attached to them,” says James O’Shaughnessy, who served as Prime Minister David Cameron’s director of policy and research. He credits the growing interest in well-being to the scientific element the measurements bring to the discussion, a belief Timothy Sharp, Ph.D., shares. Timothy, author of The Happiness Handbook and founder of Australia’s The Happiness Institute, says happiness has always interested philosophers and religious leaders, but today, the topic is piquing the interest of a broader range of people, from accountants to veterinarians and entrepreneurs.“The crash forced a complete recalibration of expectations, confidence in what it is we’re trying to achieve with economic growth,” Carol says. And while the concrete effects of the happiness movement in Great Britain are hard to pinpoint, James says, a change in attitude is evidenced by the launch of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing in late 2014. The independent organization, funded in part by the British government, includes a number of centers throughout Great Britain dedicated to “understanding what national and local governments, along with voluntary and business partners, can do to increase wellbeing.”With more organizations starting to study people’s well-being, including Australian Unity in Australia, the Happy Planet Index and the French-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, we’re seeing metrics that offer a new take on more traditional economic indicators, like the closure of rural post offices across the U.K.Carol explains that, economically, the post offices were a drain, but wellbeing metrics revealed they were the highlight of the day for many isolated elderly residents. The information didn’t dictate policy. “But what it does,” she says, “is it says if you close the rural post offices, it’s very likely to have these negative costs, and you kind of address those some other way.”A Movement in MotionThe happiness movement, says Jeffrey, a co-author of the “World Happiness Report,” “is a call on our governments and our societies to get our priorities right, to adopt holistic goals such as sustainable development and to monitor the expressed levels of happiness in society, so that we can know when our society needs reforms to achieve happiness.”Each year the “World Happiness Report” ranks the happiness of people in more than 150 countries based on gross domestic product, life expectancy, having someone to count on, perceived freedom to make life choices, generosity and freedom from corruption. In both the 2012 and 2013 reports, researchers cited mental health as the single-biggest factor affecting happiness across the board.“A lot of problems we have as a society are because of individuals not being happy,” says Jayme, now an International Day of Happiness representative. “Global happiness and change start with personal happiness.” Knowing this, Jayme and photographer Joseph Peter, who spent four months in Africa capturing “moments of happiness,” came up with an idea for a U.N. resolution that would recognize the pursuit of happiness as a “fundamental human goal” and ask countries to consider happiness and well-being when measuring and planning their social and economic development.With the help of the then-ambassador of Iraq to the U.N., Hamid al-Bayati, Ph.D., the resolution went before the General Assembly president in 2011 and then the General Assembly to be adopted by general consensus. The resolution passed immediately.International Day of HappinessThe following year, in June 2012, the General Assembly declared March 20 International Day of Happiness, “recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.”And since the first celebration of International Day of Happiness in 2013, the holiday has gained more and more awareness in the public consciousness, furthering Jayme’s hopes for promoting happiness globally. “[International Day of Happiness] calls out that we’re all part of the same species; we’re all connected,” he says.“Living a happy life and thinking about your own happiness is so important. Having one day to be aware about it is a big step in making it something you do every day.” A Brighter Tomorrow Creating a happier planet won’t happen overnight, Jayme acknowledges, but today, many people around the globe are working together for this cause—and that’s a powerful start. “We are at a turning point where this isn’t just possible, it’s critical,” he says.He believes a holistic framework that incorporates happiness as an international policy, and provides a well-thought-out process with universal goals, truly can change the trajectory of our future.“How does the work of peace and security get done?” he asks. “Slowly. You don’t move the entire planet in a couple of days. It’s more of a change that happens over time as people begin to value other things. “What we’re realizing around the world is that there are a lot of goals that unite us, and we really should work on those.”

Practice

33 Ideas for Green Living

If we are all good stewards of Mother Nature, she will return the favor and treat us well. In honor of Earth Day on April 22, here is our list of ideas to make the world a happier and healthier place. “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s Party.’” – Robin Williams Read The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World's Healthiest People by Dan Buettner. Listen to “This Land is your Land” by Woody Guthrie. Watch Earth Days. Plant a tree. “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” —Henri Matisse Read Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Listen to “Mother Nature’s Son” by the Beatles. Watch The Grapes of Wrath. Adopt a Highway. “Just living is not enough...one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Hans Christian Andersen Read Walden by Henry David Thoreau. Listen to “Beautiful Day” by U2. Watch FernGully: The Last Rainforest. Recycle. “Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” —Pedro Calderon de la Barca Read New Slow City by William Powers. Listen to “Hungry Planet” by The Byrds. Watch Into the Wild. Start a community garden. “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” —Mahatma Gandhi Celebrate Earth Day on April 22. Listen to “Down to Earth” by Peter Gabriel. Watch Disneynature’s Monkey Kingdom. Read Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future by Bill McKibben. “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” —Edward Abbey Read Step into Nature by Patrice Vecchione. Listen to “Rise” by Eddie Vedder. Watch Avatar. Get an energy audit for your house to identify excess and waste. Watch WALL-E. Replace your showerheads with inexpensive low-flow versions. Listen to our Live Happy Now podcast to learn what you can do for our planet.

Giving

7 Tips for a Memorable Mother’s Day

Mothers give us endless time, energy and unconditional love all year. So, this Mother’s Day, May 10, show mom how much she’s appreciated and loved by creating a lasting memory she will cherish. 1.Go to her favorite restaurant and share the love You always hear it’s the thought that counts, so put some thought into selecting her favorite spot. Make a reservation, enjoy a meal out as a family and then make the experience more memorable by taking the time to go around the table and share what you love most about mom while you wait for your food. 2.Give mom a free day Plan an outing with your kids and give mom a day off and the house to herself. Come back at night with dinner in your hands, and you’ll have created a day truly to remember. Mom can have time to do exactly as she wants: go to a yoga class, stay in her PJs and watch a movie, sip a mimosa, read a good book or go get a massage. The best part? After she has a day off to replenish, she can spend the evening with the family she loves so much. 3.Make her homemade gift cards Get your little artists to make mom gift cards with small promises. Let your kids come up with their own ideas. Here are some ideas to get you started: This card is good for help with the laundry. Redeem this card for help in your garden. Hand me this card and I will dry the dishes. Give me this card and I will help clean up a room. Show me this card for a big smile, cuddle and laugh from me. 4.Schedule a photo shoot Go DIY or professional. Select a beautiful park, arboretum or spot in nature and capture the family for a memory that lasts. Pack a picnic lunch and soak up some sun to make the day even more special. 5.Buy jewelry with meaning If you want to go conventional with jewelry, make it sentimental with your child’s birthstone. Celebrate the day your wife became a mom and choose a special ring, necklace, pair of earrings or bracelet adorned with your children’s birthstones. 6.Write letters Handwritten letters are a rarity these days. Have everyone in the family sit down and write a heartfelt letter to mom. Share a favorite memory, what you love best about her or why mom is so special. If you really want to go over the top, have each family member read the letter to mom while she’s enjoying breakfast in bed. 7.Plan an unforgettable experience What has your wife (or mother) always wanted to do but never has? Plan it. Even if it doesn’t happen on Mother’s Day, you will be giving mom double the happiness with the anticipation of the event, and the event itself. Maybe it’s as elaborate as a weekend getaway, adventurous like zip-lining or simple like a family bike ride. And as you plan this special day for the mom of your children, don’t forget about showing your own mom the love, too. Happy Mother’s Day!

Sharing

6 Reasons Why You Need More Hugs

Hugging can be described as a handshake from the heart. The simple action of embracing creates feel-good energy for both the giver and recipient. Science has been looking into its positive effects, and numerous studies related to hugging, cuddling and touching have been reaching the same conclusion: Hugging is a crucial part of human development. 1. Hugging is good for your heart Embracing activates the hormone oxytocin, which makes us feel all warm and fuzzy. In an experiment at the University of North Carolina, participants who didn't have any contact with their partners developed a quickened heart rate of10 beats per minute, compared to the five beats per minute among those who got to hug their partners during the experiment. (The slower resting heart rate is healthier, representing a person who is more relaxed and at ease.) 2. Hugging is a natural stress-reducer If you are feeling a bit drained or pressured, find someone you care about and give them a all-enveloping hug.Research has found that embracing reduces the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies, releasing tension and sending calming messages to the brain. 3.Hugging helps babies' and children's development Touch is critical to infants, especially in their early stages of life as it helps them bond with others as they get older. A study was conducted that compared a group of adopted children whose first years were spent in Romanian and Russian orphanages where they didn’t receive physical contact, to kids who were raised by an affectionate family. Research found that the kids raised in the low-touch orphanages had significantly lower levels of vasopressin—a hormone that plays a role in familial recognition and bonding—compared to their peers. 4. Hugging is good for adults, too Physical touch and hugging can combat feelings of loneliness that arise as people get older. A retirement home in New York conducted a study in which they implemented a program called ‘Embraceable You.’ The idea was to encourage cross-generational contact and touch between residents and staff members in order to improve the residents’ well being. The results were conclusive, with residents who were touched or hugged three or more times a day having more energy, feeling less depressed, better able to concentrate and more restful sleep than their less-hugged counterparts. 5. Hugging can make you more mindful Zen MasterThichNhatHanhhas created ahugging meditation, which can be used to bring more awareness, presence and togetherness into people’s lives. The meditation aims to connect people to each other and to the present moment, with a focus on mindfulness and a powerful awareness of gratitude and love. 6. Hugging can help minimize fears A study by VU University in Amsterdam looked into the connection betweenhuman touch and reducing the fear of mortalityin some people. Researchers found that participants were more likely to have less anxiety about death when being lightly touched or hugging an inanimate object like a teddy bear.

Practice

Dare to Be Happy

Finding ways to curb our negative thoughts can allow more positivity in our lives. Just like dark clouds that can pass and let the sun shine through, happiness has a better chance of reaching us if the dark skies of negativity and depression have lifted.Not being depressed isn’t the same as being happy. At its core, transitioning into a more sustainable state of wellbeing involves a shift in our thoughts and feelings: fewer negative thoughts and more positive ones.Research has shown some interventions can help create greater resilience to negative states, while others can be used to enhance positivity. Some of the more intriguing options for reducing negativity are vitamin D and exercise—and one of the most effective ways to brighten your life is gratitude.Let the sun shine inMore than a billion people are vitamin D deficient. (That’s billion with a “B.”) Research shows there is a link between low levels of vitamin D and the symptoms of depression. However, the jury is still out as to whether or not low levels of vitamin D cause depression, or the other way around. Either way the chances are good you may not be getting enough of it.Vitamin D is unique because it is a prohormone, a substance that can be converted into a hormone. It does not have to be attained through food; it can be synthesized when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation found in natural sunlight. Vitamin D then goes to the liver and kidneys where it is converted into a hormone. We can get it through sunlight, take it as a supplement, or find it in foods such as salmon, cod liver oil, milk or tuna. The trick is getting an adequate amount.Lack of vitamin D during winter months has been linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Vitamin D is helpful for many things, not the least of which in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous through the intestines (which is one reason it is used as an additional supplement with calcium). Some studies have found that increasing vitamin D can improve well-being, and others suggest it may be helpful along with an antidepressant.Ask your physician to test your vitamin D level. If it is low, ask about a supplement. Also, during the winter be sure to get a little more sunlight in your life.Born to runYou would have to have lived under a rock for the past 10 years not to have heard that exercise is good for you. However, what does exercise have to do with our mood?Exercise boosts a protein known as BDNF (brain developed neurotropic factor), which is the protein that helps neurotransmitters function more efficiently. Those neurotransmitters are the very ones targeted by antidepressants, which cause unwanted side effects. This makes exercise the most natural way of enhancing this protein.Dr. John Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, describes BDNF as “Miracle-Gro for the brain.” Exercise is so effective the American Psychiatric Association has declared it both a stand-alone and an augmentation therapy for depression. Even moderate levels of exercise can be helpful because it enhances the effectiveness of neurotransmitters in your brain.How much exercise you need depends on your age and physical condition. Check with your healthcare professional to see what is recommended and start slowly. It is the regularity, not the intensity, which will help.Count on gratitudeLast, but certainly not least, are ways of directly increasing positive thoughts. The list of these interventions is growing, but few researchers would disagree that gratitude is one of the most powerful. In fact, the lead researcher on gratitude, Robert Emmons, Ph.D., calls it “queen of the virtues.”While the notion of “counting your blessings” has been around forcenturies, there are now some proventechniques that help to shift ourperspective. How we feel is determined by how we see the world. One of the most effective ways of restructuring our view is by reviewing our gratitude. A review of the last 24 hours of those specific events you have gratitude for has the power to reappraise memory by focusing on the positives.Gratitude, in this way, has the power to transform our perception authentically. We are highlighting real events in a way that casts our memory in a different light. As an example, yesterday may not have been a particularly good day, but when seeing it through the prism of gratefulness you are likely to find occurrences overshadowed by the day’s struggles.A friend’s email, refund check or thank you note received add up when acknowledged. Not only does our memory of the day shift toward something more encouraging, it also improves our attitude in the moment and offers a more optimistic outlook.How often should you do it? Theresearch is mixed, but a sure bet is to start with once a week.DanTomasulo holds a Ph.D. in psychology, an MFA in writing and graduated from the Master ofApplied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) in 2012. He teaches at New Jersey City University and is an assistant instructor for Martin Seligman, Ph.D., at UPenn in the MAPP program. Visit Dare2BeHappy.com.

Practice

The Choice is Yours

As the saying goes, “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Unfortunately, not everyone lives by this adage.Encouraging kindnessIn an effort to stem the tide of testiness, Dina Creiger, a longtime sales professional from Boston, created Choose to Be Nice (choosetobenice.com) with a goal to encourage others to pledge to be better, nicer and more productive people.“Choose To Be Nice is dedicated to encouraging and inspiring kindness whenever and wherever possible,” Dina explains. “We're improving the way people interact with one another by reminding them that they have a choice about how to be in the world.”After a tragedy, driven by compassionShortly after the tragic events during the 2013 Boston Marathon, Dina quit her corporate sales job and dedicated her time and attention to her passionate pursuit. In the one year since she has chosen to help others to choose to be nice, she has attracted fans and promise-makers around the world – from Boston to Brisbane and Dina’s native Framingham, Massachusetts, to France.“My goal is to get 1 million promises from around the world by 2020,” she says.Make the promiseWhile many people may consider themselves to be nice, Dina has codified and trademarked the idea, encouraging people to officially commit by making the CTBN Promise at choosetobenice.com/make-the-promise.By making it official, Dina reasons, promisers (and others) will be able to say they are part of something larger than themselves.“I think people are inherently good,” Dina says, “but we live in such a fast-paced world now that people have lost patience with others and get easily frustrated and agitated. We are just overloaded, tired and overwhelmed [and] niceness has fallen by the wayside.”It runs in the familyShe credits her parents and grandparents for instilling such dedication and desire to be nice. “My parents taught me to always treat people with kindness, respect and compassion,” she explains, “and to never be intimidated by anyone.”Dina continues to be encouraged by each and every person who makes the promise and commits to adding a bit more niceness to the world.“It's just so easy and simple,” she suggests, “and it comes with a huge return!”Interesting in doing something similar? Go to HappyActs.org to perform your own #HappyActs.

Sharing

Happy Acts Heroes

You are rushing to work. Your To-Do list is weighing on your mind, and you feel a little stressed. As you drive along, you glance up at a bright yellow billboard and read: Every 10 seconds, someone is awesome. It’s you. Then you smile.Spreading the joyMaking you smile is the goal of The Joy Team as they set out to boost the nation’s happiness level by posting positive messages on billboards as part of International Day of Happiness, March 20. Now that is one major Happy Act.The Joy Team started out by posting positive messages on billboards in the Pacific Northwest, and later branched out to other regions, including Phoenix, Arizona, where they put up three billboards for the Super Bowl. This is the first year the billboards will share positivity coast-to-coast. To date, 44 billboards will share happiness messages in the shape of a smile in 19 cities.One woman who has made a differenceBased in Vancouver, Washington, The Joy Team is a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by Michele Larsen and her daughter Taryn. “My billboard goal for this year is to have a continuous presence of positive message billboards in at least three cities,” says Michele.One positive message can make a huge difference in someone’s day. The Joy Team has a list of more than 30 positive messages that can be shared on billboards across the United States. Some of those messages include:One kind word can change the world.Best. Day. Ever. And it’s yours.You look fabulous. Wowzers.Life loves you. Just the way you are.Happiness is contagious, start an epidemic.Building community; spreading positivityWith a mission to build community by spreading joy, optimism and inspiration, The Joy Team’s initiatives grow every year. The team leads a national Chalk the Walks day on the third Tuesday in August, when they spread similar positive messages with bright chalk. They have also started the Junior Joy Team, a group of kids who share joy with those around them.In the four weeks a billboard is up, it will reach hundreds of thousands of people. With enough billboards, millions of people can be inspired, Michele says. “Ultimately, I’d love to have one up year round in every city in the United States because these billboards make a difference in the lives of people who see them. The billboards infuse people with a boost of inspiration and optimism.” For more information on Joy Team activities, visit Joyteam.org.What #HappyActs will you be doing for the International Day of Happiness?

Practice

Get Involved!

“Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.”So said Chuang Tzu, preeminent Taoist thinker, some 2,500 years ago. Nonetheless, many of us actively seek out happiness in self-help books, courses, new age practices, and with the help of life coaches.Yet we are constantly bombarded with negative messages: angsty status updates from friends and family on Facebook and Twitter, awful news headlines, and advertising that plays on our worst insecurities. Our response: switch off, log-out, and block.How often do you read a bad-news article and feel powerless to help, disengaged from your community or from the larger world, or too overwhelmed by personal responsibilities to actively respond by volunteering, donating, or carrying on the conversation? It could be argued that shutting out larger world problems is actually a way of retreating further away from fulfilling your true potential as a person.Self-actualization is a term originally created by organismic theorist Kurt Goldstein. By realizing your full potential you can reach some sort of enlightenment that allows you to actively live the best life possible for yourself. Let’s specifically reference the 19 Characteristics of Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualizer.Maslow’s theory entails 19 unique characteristics he found to be consistent within each of his subjects that have been developed into advice on how one self-actualizes. The foundation of Maslow’s theory is that you not only must understand what is preventing your happiness but you need to face, and resolve, those issues as well. This notion suggests that by avoiding, or retreating, from the issues hindering your happiness you are merely prolonging the process.1. Perception of RealityThe first trait is that of a superior relationship with reality. This means he or she understands that the unknown is a part of reality and not only is he or she comfortable with that but he or she embraces it with open arms.2. AcceptanceThe next is the idea that he or she simply accepts himself or herself unconditionally. So much so that the whole idea doesn’t even cross his or her mind.3. SpontaneityThe third coincides with the first in that a self-actualized individual’s behavior is natural and it is not dictated by a forced agenda. In other words, he or she does not take actions simply for the reason of being a plot device that is meant to cause a specific reaction.4. Problem CenteringSelf-actualizers tend to have goals and a mission in life. They have small things they would like to accomplish in the short-term and large overarching things they would like to accomplish in the long run.5. SolitudeSelf-actualizers also tend to value their privacy and time alone slightly more than the average individual.6. AutonomyThe sixth trait is that of independence from the need for external accolades or praise. A self-actualizer has realized that inner growth and self-development are much more pertinent to life than these things.7. Fresh AppreciationSelf-actualizing people are able to maintain the appreciation of a child experiencing something new even for the most basic experiences in life. They never allow themselves to feel like they are simply going through the motions.8. Peak ExperiencesThis is the groove that you get into when you are in your element and your focus has never been better. Self-actualizers allow themselves to reach this state more often than most.9. Human KinshipThe ninth trait is the characteristic of universal empathy. Self-actualizers feel as though everyone is family and they have a human connection with every individual they encounter.10. Humility and RespectSelf-actualizing people tend to be as humble as they come. They are able to befriend all types of people and could be described as unable to see the superficial differences that are often so important to the average person.11. Interpersonal RelationshipsThough they have a connection with mostly everyone, self-actualizers often have small circles of close loved ones. The love they feel for these few is profound and unwavering.12. EthicsPlain and simple, self-actualizing people have very distinct beliefs on right and wrong and they religiously do what they believe is right.13. Means and EndsSelf-actualizers are true believers in the saying “a means to an end.” They are fixated on ends and not preoccupied with the means.14. HumorThey are not amused by hostile, superiority, or authority-rebellion humor and don’t usually consider what the average individual finds to be funny to be funny.15. CreativityMaslow simply states that this is a universal trait throughout all people who were studied. But basically, self-actualized people find outlets where they can successfully exercise their creativity.16. Resistance of EnculturationSelf-actualizers naturally resist enculturation and maintain a distance from the culture they are immersed in. Due to their non-bias nature in all facets of life it makes it difficult for them to be consumed by such a subjective matter.17. ImperfectionsIt is important to note that self-actualizers are not perfect. They have negative and mundane characteristics just like everyone else, but they are aware of them and use that knowledge to their advantage.18. ValuesSelf-actualized people have a strong set of values that they keep close to their heart. These beliefs tend to indoctrinate their lives so that everything they do fits within them.19. Resolution of DichotomiesThe final trait is the idea that the line between selfishness and selflessness disappears because in reality every act is both selfish and selfless.Now, before you start to worry about having all of these traits yourself, remember that this was one man’s conclusion from one study. It’s difficult to say that all self-actualized people have all 19 of these traits all the time. After all, doesn’t trait number six claim that a self-actualizer wouldn’t be bothered by Maslow’s classification anyway?The point is that all of these traits have one theme in common: they are all choices that can be made. You can choose whether or not to be terrified by the unknown, whether you want to be limited by society’s standards, limited to your daily responsibilities, or whether you want to take a little leap of faith and start doing something more. Instead of striving for immediate happiness, we might reframe our feelings of discontent in the face of terrifying news headlines and remember that we are part of it, we are connected, and there is someone, somewhere who we could lend a hand to in some small, manageable way.Once you know what you feel would make the future a little better for the world, following through, reaching out to people, nonprofits, and community groups and offering a little time or expertise or money is a tangible step toward achieving self-actualization.Phillip Sontag is an editor at Idealist, currently one of the world’s preeminent organizations for connecting nonprofits worldwide with more than a million people each month who can imagine a better future. Visit Idealist.org to find out more.

Practice

The Bluebird of Happiness

The bluebird is a symbol of happiness in many cultures around the world, including in Russia, where it represents hope, and in China’s Shang Dynasty, where it’s a messenger of knowledge and enlightenment. In Native American mythology, some tribes consider the bluebird a spirit in animal form that symbolizes the dawn of a new day; others associate the friendly bird with the sun. The Iroquois believe that the bluebird is a harbinger of spring that fights off the evil demigod of winter, Tawiscaron. According to folklore, many Native Americans hung dry gourds to entice bluebirds to nest near their settlements so they can enjoy their enchanting songs of happiness and hope. Just gazing upon one of the little flying cobalt creatures of contentment is said to bring joy. So, as Dorothy posits, “If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why can’t I?”

Can Happiness Save the Planet?

Happiness Around the World

33 Ideas for Green Living

7 Tips for a Memorable Mother’s Day

Dare to Be Happy

The Choice is Yours

Get Involved!

The Bluebird of Happiness

Store

Articles

Quick Links