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Exercises for Reluctant Creatives

Would you describe yourself as creative? How about artistic? If either feels like a stretch, it’s time to put away the labels and perfectionism and pick up a pen, says Keiko Agena, artist and actor known to many as Lane Kim on the long-running fan favorite TV show Gilmore Girls. “I think we’re all creative people,” Keiko says. In writing No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists, she aims to provide simple tools and a gentle guide for those who need to dial down the voice of their own internal critic to access it. “A lot of times creativity has a softer voice,” Keiko says. “But if we take the time to pay attention to it and listen to it and give it a chance to grow it could be a very wild, wacky strong, loud voice, which is what I’m hoping for.” No Mistakes Keiko’s “no mistakes” philosophy is inspired by her obsession with and love for improv, where anything can happen because nothing is planned, she says. The surprises are where the fun is. “When something goes wrong or somebody slips up, then everyone gets excited and focuses on that ‘mistake’ in order to make it—sometimes—the most enjoyable part of the show. “And so what I wanted to do was to find a way to look at what I perceive as imperfections in myself in a different kind of way, with that same kind of joy almost, of discovery, of where does this lead?” The book’s intro says, “Your ragged edges are what make you great. Stop smoothing them out. Your odd point of view, your imperfections…these are your treasures. The exercises are designed to help you do three things: Discover your voice. Accept your voice. Express your voice.” No Mistakes Exercises to Try Now: Choose Your Own Path So how do you apply “no mistakes” to your life? Put your creativity out into the world in a real way, Keiko advises. “What’s fun is to journal, to start putting it down on paper! Have it be in a physical form,” she says. “And let it exist for a little while and say well, that IS weird, what’s weird about it? But what’s interesting about it?…See where it leads because it’s probably going somewhere unexpected, and that’s where your creative voice is. The way you express your creativity is down that path and not someone else’s path.” Exercises reprinted fromNo Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artistsby arrangement with TarcherPerigee, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2018,Keiko Agena. Go to livehappynow.com on September 25 for our podcast interview with Keiko.

Workplace

Dare to Be Different This Labor Day

When I was a kid, Labor Day meant the end of the summer. My father was a foreman in a ball-bearing factory. He was never home on a Monday, except for this one. We’d visit our grandparents, have a family picnic and then get home early to lay out our first-day-of-school outfits. The meaning of Labor Day was lost on me. When I became a working adult, Labor Day simply meant a much-needed day off. Back then you had to work a full year before you earned any vacation days. Yet, Labor Day was founded more than 120 years ago with a specific purpose. According to the Department of Labor, the holiday on the first Monday of September was “a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.” Unfortunately, Labor Day has transformed into just another shopping holiday. How could something that was so hard-fought turn into something so meaningless? What if this Labor Day you truly unplugged? Why We Don’t Unplug and Why We Need To For many workers around the globe, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. has been replaced with 24/7. From coaching hundreds of business leaders, my co-author, Senia Maymin, Ph.D., and I have found four common reasons why people don’t unplug, even when they have a day off: Feeling anxious about stepping away from work Believing working more will make them more productive Unrealistic workplace expectations Striving to be a perfectionist But, like a muscle, our brains need rest to perform optimally. Don’t Recuperate—Instead Rejuvenate and Reprioritize My coaching clients often tell me that when they do take a day off they need to recuperate, as though work is like an illness or surgery. When we lose interest in people and the things that once brought us joy and happiness, it is our wake-up call that we need to reprioritize, not recuperate. This Labor Day, I challenge you to stay out of the stores and totally unplug. Take a mental health day to honor the American worker instead and reflect upon what’s important to you. What does Labor Day mean to you and how will you spend it? Five Simple Ways to Unplug Cultivate one or more of these healthy mobile phone habits and notice what happens to your overall happiness: Put away your phone for at least one hour every day. Put your phone on sleep mode to trick yourself into thinking your phone is dead. Turn off all social media, text and email alerts. Never, ever put your phone on a table or desktop when having a conversation. Never open an email on your phone (even though you may be tempted to do so) if you know you can’t possibly respond to it in the moment. Curiosity killed the cat.

Lifestyle

Finding the Kind Way

Kindness has always kind of been Rebekah Rinehart’s “thing,” but in 2016, she decided to expand her mission. In a world that seemed increasingly unkind, she wanted to challenge others to return to a kinder mindset and share its benefits widely. “I wanted to do something that would reach the masses and could really touch the hearts of a lot of people,” she says. “There were already T-shirts and bracelets and great things like that out to remind people to speak out about kindness, so I was looking for something different to do that would really stand out.” Then one day she woke up with the idea she knew was the answer she was looking for: “I decided to do a mural; I thought it would be a great way to be able to share it on social media. But then I realized I can’t paint.” Although she didn’t have the artistic skills, what she did have was a sorority sister who was not only a talented artist, but also “embodied everything about kindness.” Rebekah reached out to Sarah Gail Nelson, explained what she wanted to do and Sarah reluctantly signed on. “She was hesitant at first just because she’d never done a mural,” Rebekah says. “We had nothing to show people and had never done anything like this, but we knew we wanted to go big or go home.” Defining Kindness One of the biggest challenges Rebekah and Sarah faced was coming up with an image that illustrated what kindness is all about. They wanted it to be interactive and encourage others to share their thoughts on kindness, but couldn’t quite decide what images best would do that. After months of pushing ideas back and forth, they decided they would let people viewing the mural decide what kindness means. “Kindness is so many things; it can be funny, it can be serious, it can be joyful,” Rebekah says. “So finally we decided to let them fill in the blank.” They became an LLC, The Kind Way, and began painting their first kindness mural in October 2017 in Nashville’s historic Germantown neighborhood, a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The mural features flowers surrounding the state of Tennessee with the words “Kindness is _____________” in the middle. Beside that super-size image, Rebekah and Sarah ask passers-by to take a photo and share through Instagram what kindness means to them. “We learned so much doing that first mural,” Rebekah says, recalling that they had “zero expectations” and didn’t know how people would respond to it. But even as they were painting it, people stopped to ask questions and, as soon as it was finished, they began receiving photos and responses from people who had taken their photos by the mural. From a Mural to a Movement After Nashville, they painted “The Kind Mural” in Chicago and then went to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for their third installment. Next, they’ll paint a mural in Dallas over Labor Day weekend and have other locations in their sights. So far they have either lived in or visited each of their locations. However, they’re also inviting anyone interested in bringing a mural to their city to contact them at thekindwayoflife@gmail.com. “The fact is, this is not only a mural, but a social movement to remind people of the importance of kindness,” Rebekah says. “We absolutely adore seeing all the tags on our social platforms from people across the globe. Their unique perspective of kindness reminds us how different and special kindness truly is.” In addition to the mural itself, each site contains a tribute to a person or organization that embodies the spirit of kindness. Rebekah says they’re doing that because they want to give back to each community, but don’t yet have finances to make a donation. Instead, they pay tribute to a person, place or organization that fits the kindness theme. “We hope that kindness becomes a pillar and a constant in our lives and the lives of others,” Rebekah says. “Oftentimes, kindness is perceived as elementary or weakness, but it should not and does not have to be that way. We all have a voice; let’s use it to make the world a better, kinder place.” Celebrate Be Kind to Humankind week August 25 to 31with the hashtags #thekindmural and #bk2hk. Next, Rebekah and Sarah are working on a children’s book that will further spread the kindness message, and their website, thekindwayoflife.com, will go live at the end of September. Rebekah says that the message of kindness is timeless, but right now it’s also very timely. “Kindness can and will make all the difference in our lives, but you have to decide how and when that happens,” she says. “Kindness brings joy. It challenges our hearts to be better to one another and, ultimately, to ourselves. It is a way of life.” Explore The Kind Way’s journey on Instagram at @thekindway and #thekindmural. And watch the first mural come together in this fun video.

Education

5 Focus and Energy Tips for Students

Developing the right mindset for processing and absorbing information can help you launch and successfully pursue your academic goals for the year. Having spent most of my career helping people gain and sustain better daily energy and focus, I’d like to offer up a few simple techniques and thoughts that will set you on a path to achievement this year. No. 1: Be positive. I put positivity at the top of my list because its opposite, negativity, is a self-defeating mindset and will contaminate all efforts. The results are low energy, weakened performance and memory failure, physical and mental fatigue. Positivity fuels the reverse. It helps your mind flow freely, effortlessly—light and fluid like water. Create a positivity baseline. Catch yourself during a moment or time when you are feeling awesome, at the top of your game. Pay attention to how this feels physically and mentally: stressless, happy, flowing. If it helps, write down how you feel. It’s important to stop yourself and feel this so that you can remember it and measure how you’re feeling at various daily moments. Note what positive things you did that helped you get into this zone so that you will know how to create the mindset when you don’t have it. Make savoring, sustaining and protecting your positivity a priority. No. 2: Use a self-scan before you begin each class. This will immediately improve your focus, and you’ll like the results. At first the scan will take you a little while, but still it’s not much. Don’t worry about speed. You’ll develop that soon enough, and then you’ll just do it automatically. Here’s how. Take a few moments before classes and simply ask yourself: What is the day’s goal for this class and what are my responsibilities? For example, I am listening to a lecture on Edgar Allan Poe and taking notes for a test. How does this goal link to larger goals in my life? Example: I can use the information in another course for a term paper I am writing, and that will make life easier and better; I can ace my English class, qualify for higher level classes I want next year, graduate with honors, get into the college I desire, etc. On the scale of things, how important are these goals to your life? Often it is hard to get motivated unless we see how information matters to us personally and is linked to larger personal concerns. So splurge on your answers. What are the demands of my environment and my teacher’s expectations? Are there distractions? Are my questions and views welcomed and accepted and in what context? If the room is large, can I hear adequately? What have I done in the past to help me achieve these goals? What has interfered? No. 3: Restrict your mind from wandering. Keep participating no matter what.Just like when your coach is telling you, “Don’t stop now—pour it on.”Create words or phrases you can think to yourself during such moments to stay on task, such as:stay with it, be strong, or focus.Give yourself a slow, deep, good breath every now and then and relax your focus before narrowing it again. No. 4: Get a good night’s sleep. Make it a habit to turn lights off at the same time each night. You need sleep for higher-level thinking and to keep your mind flowing. No. 5: Each day, think of something nice to do for someone. Keep it simple. Plan who you will help, compliment or surprise, then do it! I encourage you to start this practice immediately. As your academic interests grow, time will move much faster, and your studies, in general, will become a lot more enjoyable. These skills will help your mind become more flowing, creative, energized, interesting and complex.And just like a “runner’s high,” these characteristics will feel good both mentally and physically.As such, you will feel rewarded. And this pattern of activity will begin to feed upon itself. Grades will come easier.You will feel more secure,confident and happy.The best news is that you will start transferring this mindset over to other areas of your life, deepening those connections as well.

Famous Nyhavn pier with colorful buildings and boats in Copenhagen, Denmark

Education

Follow a Dane’s Path to Happiness

Traveling around the world can bring a host of positive benefits to your well-being. Experiencing different cultures and seeing how other people live offers a better understanding of this vast world we live in. This stokes our curiosity and allows us to be more empathetic to others. I just returned from a trip Denmark, my homeland and one of the happiest countries in the world. As Live Happy’s senior manager of digital marketing, I wanted to share with you the best things to do and see in Copenhagen. Food and Drink Copenhagen offers an abundance of wonderful restaurants, and it is almost impossible to not overindulge. My favorite local area is Frederiksberg. Start off on Vaernedamsvej, a small street where you can’t really go wrong in any of many stores and restaurants. You can grab an amazing French sandwich and a glass of wine at Le Gourmand or a glass of wine and a charcuterie board from neighborhood hop spot Falernum. If you are looking to splurge, Restaurant Geist with celebrity chef Bo Beck is the place to be. Don’t cheat yourself out of a glass of the house champagne, Billecart-Salmon, my absolute favorite. If you want something more traditional, you can go local with open-face sandwiches at one of Copenhagen’s oldest “smorrebrod” restaurants, Schonnemann. Shopping When I’m back home, I never miss a trip to my favorite shopping street Gammel Kongevej. This is a street where the locals shop and has an abundance of wonderful Danish brands as well as more upscale store emporiums. Zornig offers everything your heart desires from all over the world. If you are looking for Danish designs to fill your home, you can never go wrong at Illums Bolighus. Rest and Relaxation When in Denmark, walking is the best way to get around. The Metro and bus systems are easy to use, but we Danes like to walk or bike everywhere. You will get tired, so what better way to relax than to get a massage or even squeeze in a morning yoga class at my favorite spa, Hotspot Copenhagen. This newly opened spa has already been nominated for spa of the year in 2018. Entertainment Copenhagen is filled with little gems, parks and architectural wonders, so walking is the best way to take them all in. The little mermaid statue is a given, however, make sure to walk through Kastellet to see the Gefion Fountain. Enjoy the beautiful St. Alban’s Church and continue down the harbor front where you can see the queen’s residence, Amalienborg Palace. You may even catch a glimpse of Her Royal Highness or the Crown Prince. Local tip: Don’t miss the changing of the guard daily at noon. If the weather is decent, you will find all the locals enjoying the sunshine along the harbor in front of The Royal Danish Playhouse. Just over the bridge to Christianshavn is one of the most treasured areas of Copenhagen that also houses The Royal Danish Opera. A must see for sure is the Tivoli Gardens; it’s truly a special treat depending on the time of year. If you are visiting around Christmas, there’s an amazing Christmas market, and if you are visiting in the spring, aim for Friday nights when the garden has concerts with a lot of Danish bands. Summer is also a special time to take part in a longstanding tradition of enjoying lunch or dinner inside the park. A few restaurants will grant free access to the park if you join them for a meal. Here at Live Happy, we have a team tradition of bringing back a gift whenever you are abroad. What better gift than the Hoptimist!

Schoolchildren carrying notebooks at school

Education

Celebrate Character Day on September 26

Join us for the fifth annual Character Day on September 26! Last year there were more than 133,000 Character Day events in 150 countries and all U.S. states. “In a world that seems to become more and more divided, it has never been more important to stop and recognize our own character strengths in ourselves and in others,” says Makenzie Darling, Let It Ripple director of strategic partnerships and engagement. “Character Day brings out the best in humanity and promotes happy lifestyles where people feel more interconnected.” Character Day is a free day and global initiative where school districts, individual classrooms, companies, organizations and families—groups of all sizes—screen films on the science of character development from different perspectives, dive into free printed discussion materials catered to different ages and join an online global Q&A conversation featuring prominent leaders discussing the importance of developing character strengths (resilience, grit, empathy, courage, kindness)—all rooted in evidence-based research. Character Day is one day. The resources are available year-round. Please watch the 1 minute trailer (also embedded below) and sign up today! How Character Day Works Character Day and all of the materials are supported by grants so there is no cost to participate. Your Character Day event(s) can look and feel any way you would like it to be...any time of the day, anywhere and any size. The Character Day team provides your group with films, the Periodic Table of Character Strengths Poster, printed discussion materials, a robust online hub of resources and an online conversation with leading experts on character education from multiple perspectives. Watch the Films You may watch the acclaimed films 30,000 Days (11 minutes), The Science of Character (8 minutes) and The Adaptable Mind (11 minutes) to get a better sense of what types of films will be shown on Character Day. A new feature length film, Connected, will be offered this year along with other curated resources from partner organizations. A poster of The Periodic Table of Character Strengths is included in the free hands-on discussion kit. Also included in the kits: a deck of 44 conversation cards with discussion guides, questions for all ages and quotes related to the poster. 2018 Character Day Invitation from Let it Ripple on Vimeo.

Education

Finding Happiness at Work

The latest research in maintaining the good life. The workplace plays an important role in most of our lives. We spend a lot of time there, we navigate relationships with other people and our livelihood can bring meaning and purpose to our lives. Needless to say, a happier work environment means a happier life. Here are a few work-related studies to help you manage your work life. Avoid the Burn Millennials are more likely to report feelings of burnout in the workplace than any other generation. According to Gallup, nearly 30 percent of millennials say they are burned out often and 70 percent experience some form of burnout. Now representing 35 percent of the U.S. workforce, millennials have become the largest working generation, according to the Pew Research Center. This burnout factor can present a real problem for employers, leading to more employee absences and disengagement. In order to keep a happier work environment, Gallup suggests letting managers work more like coaches to give proper feedback, make sure employees are connecting with the organization’s overarching purpose and offer a flexible work environment with a certain level of autonomy. Be Nice for the Kids In a recent study on workplace incivility, researchers conducted a survey of 146 working moms. The women who reported rude behavior at work, such as experiencing derogatory statements or a co-worker stealing credit, were more likely to be stricter and more authoritarian to their children at home. Rude behavior at the workplace is also associated with feelings of ineffective parenting at home. This displaced anger could lead to overcompensation on disciplinary action. Researchers contend that this style of negative parenting may lead to negative outcomes for the child. Shake It Off Recent research published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that taking a break to clear your mind after a tough day at work may lead to a better night’s sleep. When we encounter negative experiences, we tend to ruminate on those situations which can lead to health risks, such as insomnia, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. Researchers found that the people who could let go of the mental anguish were more likely to use activities such as yoga, music or a nature walk to calm down. These behaviors also translated to more restful sleep. Wrong Side of the Bed If you wake up in the morning already anticipating stress, then you might torpedo your whole day, according to a recent study from Penn State University. The study also found that starting the day with this negative mindset can affect your working memory, which could lead to forgetfulness, negative performance and a downright foul mood. To help work through some of that stress, Jinshil Hyun from PSU’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies suggests mindfulness-based meditation or submersing yourself in nature to find calm in your inner space. “Considering it was stress anticipation in the morning, not prior night’s anticipatory stress, that was harmful to your working memory,” she adds, “trying these stress-reducing activities in the morning would be a way to curb the harm from anticipating stress.”

Lifestyle

10 Best Books for Good Mood Food

Folate in spinach can boost those mood-controlling neurotransmitters in your brain. Yet if Popeye’s fix doesn’t appeal to you, try eating an orange or grapefruit to get the same mood-regulating vitamin B benefits. For a moment of calm, eat a banana for its potassium and serotonin. Grumpy? Shift that mood with some berries. Eating the rainbow is sage advice for a happier you, and no, we don’t mean that bowl of sugary Froot Loops. Healthy, colorful fruits and veggies can make for a healthier brain and a happier you. We rounded up 10 books to help you rock your good mood—with food. Flat Belly 365: The Gut-Friendly Superfood Plan to Shed Pounds, Fight Inflammation, and Feel Great All Year Long by Manuel Villacorta If you’ve ever consumed too many doughnuts in one sitting, you know sugar can make you feel sluggish and tired. Superfoods do the opposite, helping you feel super! Flat Belly 365 offers enticing recipes even if your goal isn’t to have washboard abs. National dietitian Manuel Villacorta shares recipes made with superfoods, anti-inflammatory fats, and prebiotic and probiotic foods to balance your appetite, reduce cravings, regulate blood sugar, fight inflammation and fuel your body for optimal health. Each chapter is organized by the seasons of the year, making shopping and meal planning easy. Seven-day menu plans are included. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating by Walter Willett, MD and P.J. Skerrett If you want to eat healthy but your head spins from all the food trends, conflicting information and celebrity diets, Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy cuts through all the noise. Walter Willett, MD, chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, draws on cutting-edge research to explain what the USDA guidelines have gotten wrong—and how you can eat right. Learn simple principles and meal plans to live better and longer. Discover the research behind the best types of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and the importance of supplements. After not smoking, controlling your weight is the single most important factor for a long, healthy life, the authors contend. The Simple Guide to Natural Health: From Apple Cider Vinegar Tonics to Coconut Oil Body Balm, 150+ Home Remedies for Health and Healing by Melanie St. Ours Use medicinal plants, healing foods and everyday ingredients like coconut oil and apple cider vinegar to help you heal from ailments and thrive. Clinical herbalist Melanie St. Ours offers recipes that promote emotional balance and health. Try her mood-lifting trail mix, happiness syrup or pick-me-up peppermint latte. Make a cup of lavender or chamomile tea to relieve anxiety or depression. The food in your pantry and fridge can support your health and improve your outlook. Rise and Shine: Better Breakfasts for Busy Mornings by Katie Sullivan Morford How you start your day matters. You already know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what if you could make breakfast so appealing it brings your family together around the table each day? Nutritionist and mother of three Katie Sullivan Morford offers tips, recipes and inspiration for making delicious and nutritious breakfasts.Rise and Shineis for parents who don’t want to sacrifice quality time and quality meals on busy mornings. The Happiness Diet: A Nutritional Prescription for a Sharp Brain, Balanced Mood, and Lean, Energized Body by Drew Ramsey, MD and Tyler G. Graham What if the foods responsible for the obesity epidemic are also causing increased levels of depression and anxiety? That’s the premise behind The Happiness Diet. If you want simple solutions to make and eat feel-good foods for your brain and your body, this is the book for you. Learn how to move away from the modern American diet (which the authors call MAD) and get nutrition back in your meals. The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions—Today by Julia Ross Julia Ross’s plan provides a natural cure for your mood based on deficiencies in our neurotransmitters. She believes we can use food to overcome depression, anxiety, irritability, stress and other negative emotional states that take a toll on the quality of our lives. Julia’s plan is based on the use of four mood-building amino acids and nutritional supplements. Enjoy meals that include protein, healthy fat and certain key vegetables. Take her mood-type questionnaire to start feeling better and brighter. Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power by Lisa Mosconi, Ph.D. Lisa Mosconi is a neuroscientist and a certified integrative nutritionist who focuses on the dietary needs of the brain. Lisa provides recommendations for a complete food plan while calling out some popular notions, including: why a paleo diet may not be ideal, why avoiding gluten may be a mistake, and how getting enough water improves alertness.Review lists of what to eat and what to avoid and take a quiz that will tell you where you are on the brain health spectrum. Use your food choices to improve memory, prevent cognitive decline, eliminate brain fog, lift depression or improve mental alertness. At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen: Celebrating the Art of Eating Well by Amy Chaplin and Johnny Miller When your food, kitchen and meals are bright, you will be, too. Delight in the joy of food again in this colorful book full of recipes, menus and whole food tips. “Cook simple meals with organic ingredients. Find a daily practice that helps keep you connected, inspired and grounded. Practice gratitude and do what you love,” writes chef, food stylist and lover of food, Amy Chaplin. Vegans, vegetarians and carnivores will all find recipes to add to their collection and ideas to inspire a beautiful kitchen. The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig The popular The Whole30offers a 30-day meal plan designed to reset your health, habits and relationship with food so you can overcome cravings and addictions. The science behindWhole30is covered in the authors’ first book,It Starts With Food.The plan focuses on the quality of real food and omits processed foods and sugar as well as grains and legumes. You will have to say goodbye to cheese and even hummus (made from legumes), but you can keep your morning coffee if you drink it black or with almond milk. Eat foods for a healthy psychological response, transform your relationship with food, quash cravings and boost your immune system. Keto Comfort Foods: Family Favorite Recipes Made Low-Carb and Healthy by Maria Emmerich Comfort foods…just hearing those two words can make you feel good. We all crave them and they are designed to give us a big helping of comfort and foster well-being. The problem is, most comfort foods aren’t really good for your body—until now. In Keto Comfort Foods, enjoy a healthy spin on some of your favorite comfort foods with a variety of recipes presented with beautiful photography. Each recipe contains nutritional information and rated low, medium or high ketogenic (putting the body into a state of ketosis to burn stored fat). Whip up some beef stew, BBQ chicken lasagna, clam chowder, maple bacon ice cream or Sunday pot roast.

Lifestyle

The Empowered Britney Young

It’s hard not to notice Britney Young’s glowing positivity on screen in Netflix’s breakout comedy series GLOW. Playing the role of Carmen “Machu Picchu” Wade, Britney demonstrates her character’s power and strength when faced with adversity as well as her kindness and compassion for friends in need. GLOW, which stands for Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, is loosely based off the real ’80s wrestling program of the same name. The show is a behind-the-scenes portrayal of how the struggling organization scratched, clawed and body slammed its way into mainstream popular culture. Britney, who does all of her own stunts, hopes that when people watch GLOW, they will find that the story is really about confidence, inspiration and acceptance. What is the most important message that you hope people learn from your performance on GLOW? I hope that people take away a sense of empowerment. I know that GLOW has helped me to realize there are things that I am able to do that I didn’t even know were possible. I hope audiences are inspired to break down their own barriers and go after things they have always been dreaming of, or have been afraid of attempting. Because once those boundaries are broken, anything is possible. Who taught you the most about happiness and why? I feel like everyone in my life has taught me about being happy, in one way or another. But honestly, I think learning to be happy is something you have to figure out for yourself. It takes getting to know yourself, your likes and your dislikes, to really understand what makes you happy. I can confidentially say that I am a happy person, but I am still learning about who I am. So, I know that as I get on in years I will find new things that make me happy. Happiness is an ever-changing state, and I am excited to experience it all. I actually have a personal motto to laugh once a day, dance once a day, sing once a day." What is the kindest act someone has ever done for you? That’s a tough one. I think one that comes to mind is actually the most recent act of kindness I experienced. My 30th birthday was earlier this summer, and my sister and I went for a hike. When we got home there were balloons tied to my front door and my mailbox was overflowing with birthday cards. I had gotten 17 cards, a card from each one of the GLOW girls and Marc (Maron). It was so heartwarming, I immediately started crying and was very touched. And I was extremely surprised because I am usually the organizer of our group birthdays, so they totally pulled a fast one on me. What are you passionate about? I am passionate about a wide range of things. I am passionate about film and television; I am a huge bookworm; I love traveling and learning the histories of new places and cultures. I love music and dancing. As I get older, I am finding that I am becoming very passionate about my close relationships with others. I am still finding out new things about my parents and siblings, as they are all very fascinating, amazing people. How do you make others close to you happy? I like to believe that I make people close to me happy by being kind and supportive. I am always there to lend a helping hand or listen when someone needs to chat it out. I truly believe in treating others as you want to be treated. So, I always like to have a positive relationship with others that’s built on honesty and respect. What do you do to pay it forward? I am a very verbally communicative person, so I feel that I pay it forward by letting people know how much I appreciate them and by thanking them for the things they do. When is the last time you laughed out loud? When am I not laughing out loud? I love to laugh. I actually have a personal motto to laugh once a day, dance once a day, sing once a day. It’s just something I do that helps to keep me in a happy and positive mood. Where is your happy place? DISNEYLAND! I know, cliché, it’s known as the happiest place on Earth. But I am a huge Disney fan and have been since I was really little. The park is a very nostalgic place to me, where I can really just let loose, laugh and have fun. I know I probably had breakdowns at the park when I was a kid coming down from a sugar high, but all the times I have gone as an adult I have always had a huge smile on my face the entire time.

Group of people sharing news with each other

Flourishing Center

The Science of Sharing Good News

Take a glimpse into the world of positive psychology withThe Flourishing CenterPodcast. Each episode is divided into three sections giving you insights into living an authentic happy and flourishing life. What you'll learn in this podcast: Science Says—A new study in the Journal of Social and Personality Psychology delves into the benefits of sharing good news not just for the sharer, but also for the receiver. LifeHack—How to harness the power of good news to boost positive emotions and strengthen relationships. Practitioner’s Corner—Meet Dimple Mukherjee, a world citizen, occupational therapist and coach who brings women together for self-care and discovery. Learn more aboutThe Flourishing Center

Exercises for Reluctant Creatives

Dare to Be Different This Labor Day

Finding the Kind Way

5 Focus and Energy Tips for Students

Follow a Dane’s Path to Happiness

Celebrate Character Day on September 26

Finding Happiness at Work

10 Best Books for Good Mood Food

The Empowered Britney Young

The Science of Sharing Good News

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