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a flower box in downtown Telluride, Colorado

If You Want to Be Happy, Use Your Vacation Days

More than 50 percent of the American workforce leaves vacation days on the table every year, according to the latest survey from Project: Time Off. That equates to more than 200 million unused, well-deserved vacay days and a loss of $62.2 billion in benefits. Not wanting to contribute to this madness, I decided a little time off was in order. As a Viking living in very HOT Dallas, I really need to get out of the heat every so often. One of my favorite places to visit is Telluride, Colorado. Not only is Colorado a beautiful and relaxing state, but according to Project: Time Off, it also tops the nation in used vacation days. If anyone knows how to spend their time off wisely, it’s Coloradans. This time my husband and I booked our trip with very short lead time, so our preferred flight destination into Montrose had sold out, leaving us flying in to Grand Junction. That added a beautiful and serene hour to the usual drive up to Telluride. Studies show that when we subject ourselves to the natural outdoor world, our stress levels decrease. Arriving in Ridgway just in time for lunch, this very cute little town has its own small farmers market and a wonderful little dining spot, Eatery 66. Their Be Happy sandwich and wonderful lemonade are worth the stop anytime. You feel relaxed (and cool!) the minute you drive into Telluride, even with a jazz festival in full swing. We started our long weekend off with amazing carrot cake and a great cup of coffee at The Butcher & The Baker Cafe. They also offer wonderful drinks, and their cinnamon roll is a must-have for breakfast. When in Telluride, we like to keep it local, so we stay at the New Sheridan, the oldest hotel in town. It also offers the small town’s best rooftop cocktail lounge, a perfect location for a cocktail before dinner. We started our Saturday morning off with a trail hike up to Bear Creek Falls, about a 6-mile hike from the hotel with an easy to moderate climb. It was a busy trail, but the hike was gorgeous. We celebrated with a selection of pastries and coffee from The Butcher & The Baker Cafe. After a little rest, we got lunch at the Smugglers Brewpub, a spot with great food and wonderful brewed beer. We had dinner at The Tunnel, a throwback to the Prohibition era during Telluride’s mining days. It was a lot of fun, small, with great ambiance and lovely staff. On Sunday, we fit in one more hike before heading to the airport with one last cinnamon roll to go from our favorite The Butcher & The Baker Cafe. Katie Denis, the Vice President of Project: Time Off says that employees who use their vacation days to get away from their busy lives are much happier than those who don’t. I highly recommend a refreshing and relaxing weekend in Telluride to help you along on your summer happiness journey. If you go, share your favorite spots and don’t forget to tag #livehappy!

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.

science

What Motivates You?

The University of Pennsylvania’s Behavior for Change Initiative (BCFG) recently joined forces with the nationwide exercise outfit 24 Hour Fitness for a first-of-its-kind research study on what motivates us to make good, lasting habits. Launched in April of this year, StepUp is a 28-day online program designed by a team of the brightest minds in science, including two Noble laureates, to understand how we can make better, longer-lasting choices that would improve life outcomes. To get those answers, BCFG has set an ambitious goal of enrolling more than 200,000 participants. Led by Katherine Milkman, associate professor at the Wharton School and fellow co-founder Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., professor of psychology in the Penn School of Arts and author of Grit, the study hopes to gain insight on how we maintain good habits not just in exercise, but finances and education as well. “We thought that there was a lack of science that was addressing how to create long-term sustained behavior change in people’s lives that would improve outcomes for them,” Katherine says. “Specifically, we founded with the goal of looking for ways to help people create positive outcomes on their health, their education and savings decisions.” A Path to Success When 24 Hour Fitness members sign up for the free web app, they will be assigned one of the 57 exercise paths derived from multiple disciplines of study, social sciences, computer sciences, economics and neuroscience. Each member would get a different experience depending on which path is assigned. The web app is full of infographics, questions, video incentives and various other motivating factors to get you to the gym. During that 28-day period, scientists will have a keen eye on what motivates humans to make good choices that lead to good habits; it’s also a way for people to become healthier in the process. Katherine explains that one of the reasons BCFG wanted to team up with 24 Hour Fitness is becuase of the rich data that can be extrapolated from the gym’s diverse membership. Lashaun Dale, vice president of content and programming for 24 Hour Fitness, says her company was more than eager to participate in the partnership because of its four-color philosophy that combines exercise with mindset, nourishment and regeneration. Instead of a one-size-fits-all workout program, Lashaun says having real data, real science and results across different demographics will give 24 Hour Fitness a better understanding of how to curate new and effective workouts for all of its members. “It’s one of those things that is so appealing to us, this isn’t just looking at one angle of what motivates someone so you don’t get this formulaic answer that isn’t true,” she says. “What motivates one person may be very different for another person. What we love is that this study is really unpacking the behavioral changes to the nuances that are true about human beings.” Get Moving With only 21 percent of the U.S. population exercising at least the 150-minute minimum per week to stay healthy as recommended by the CDC, Lashaun says 24 Hour Fitness is motivated to spark a conversation within the industry on better ways to get more people moving. “The more we understand what the obstacles are and the things that get in the way of a habit they already said they want to do and they know it’s in their best interest, then we can solve for that,” she says, “There is no limit to the types of workouts, the types of programs and the solutions we can create.” Katherine says one of the challenges to getting more people to exercise is that it is not always appealing, even though people know they should. It is much more instantly gratifying to watch TV or hang out with friends. One of the reasons for creating the program was to close the gap between instant gratification and doing what is right. “One of the premises of this work is we are hoping to make these healthy behaviors more automatic and habitual instead of having to think hard about it at the end of the day and make that deliberate choice to do the thing that doesn’t feel instantly gratifying,” she says. Once we get ourselves into a pattern of behavior, she says, such as knowing what time to go to the gym or having our gym bag packed, then we have helped remove the emotional barriers and have started to make the decision easier. “Like every fitness program done well,” Lashaun adds, “it is appropriate to the individual, their goals, their life and everything that surrounds those choices and why they want to make those changes.” To join the study or learn more go to StepUpFitness.org.

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

science

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.

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.

Illustration of a brain running on a treadmill

Podcast

Making Your Brain Hum with Joe Bates

Dr. Joe Bates wants to make your brain hum. The award-winning double board-certified psychiatrist and pediatrician is spending his “retirement” working with veterans at the Tyler VA Clinic in Tyler, Texas. He has been recognized by Mensa for his work with cognitive remediation training, and now he’s created a way for people of all ages to make their brains work smarter, not harder. His new book, Making Your Brain Hum: 12 Weeks to A Smarter You, uses a technique he developed called braincardio™, which is designed to use “brain workouts” to build confidence, hope, well-being and energy. What you'll learn in this episode: How the things we do every day can make a difference in how we think How brain exercises can help us live with less regret and more joy Why it’s important to exercise our brains every day Also in this episode, we talk with dog trainer John Miller, who tells us how to make back-to-school time easier on everyone in the house—including our canine family members. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Dr. Joe Bates on Facebook. Learn more about braincardio™ on his website. Live Happy listeners have the exclusive opportunity for a 50% discount to the best-selling book Making Your Brain Hum: 12 Weeks to a Smarter You, along with the e-book Tips for a Brain- Healthy Lifestyle that includes sample puzzles. Follow this link for your special offer, just for being a Live Happy Now listener: www.braincardio.org/livehappy

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.

Podcast

Finding Self-Compassion With Kristin Neff

Kristin Neff, Ph.D., is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion as well as associate professor of human development and culture at the University of Texas at Austin. Her groundbreaking insights on how to nurture self-compassion, along with research into the role self-compassion plays in our overall well-being, has led to academic courses on the topic as well as online courses, audio programs and books. Her latest project, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook, walks readers through a step-by-step process to help build a greater sense of self-compassion. What you'll learn in this episode: Why you need to stop beating yourself up (and how to do it) The role of self-compassion in happiness Why self-compassion is a better motivator than self-criticism Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Kristin on Facebook. Purchase her book The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. Download Kristin's self-compassion exercises for free here.

Podcast

Kindness Sticks

Welcome, Happy Activists! A Happy Activist is someone who, through kind words and intentional actions, strives to make the world a better place. Live Happy invites you to join our #HappyActs movement! On the 20th of each month, we encourage everyone to incorporate kindness into your daily lives by participating in each month’s planned activity. The more who join the #HappyActs movement, the more positive impact we'll all have on our homes, workplaces and communities. What you think and do matters! August’s theme—just in time for the back-to-school season—is education. For students of all levels, learning character strengths and mental and physical well-being alongside the academic basics ensures both greater achievement and long-term happiness. And for adults, scientists confirm that lifelong learning is associated with greater life satisfaction and a sense of optimism and engagement. Our August 20 Happy Act is to post encouraging and positive notes at school; try our school-themed sticky notes to get things started! Meet our Happy Activist of the month, Kathleen Desloges, a music, drama and dance teacher in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. “I get to work with hundreds of students in a week, and every day we start our classes with a conversation about gratitude, happiness or kindness,” she says. “It’s fun to show up with a purpose!” 3 Steps on How to Prepare for a Happy Act: Researchwhat charitable opportunities are near you. Contactthe organization and discuss how you can help. Plana time to go volunteer and/or determine what you can donate. Learn more: Lifelong Education Delivers Confidence, Joy and Hope. If we’re not learning, we’re not growing. According to the VIA Institute on Character, adults who are learning something new—by taking a class, pursuing a hobby or reading every day—report less stress and greater feelings of hope and purpose. Never Stop Learning. Try these three strategies from Ryan Niemiec, Psy.D., of the Via Institute on Character, to boost your learning mindset and start to see challenges as opportunities. Character and Well-Being. British schoolmaster Sir Anthony Seldon says positive education “isn’t a case of either teaching for tests or teaching for personal growth and happiness; if you teach for happiness and growth and character, you’ll get better exam results because you’ll be developing their intrinsic motivations rather than extrinsic motivations.” 4 Ideas Shaping the Future of Education. Learning to develop grit and character; considering the role of parents; emphasizing what’s going well and focusing on problem-solving over negative characterizations are driving conversations about positive education. The Strength Switch With Lea Waters. Listen to our Live Happy Now podcast with Lea Waters, Ph.D., to learn about the benefits of strength-based parenting and two easy ways to start implementing it. Learning How to Learn Barbara Oakley, Ph.D., the Ramón y Cajal Distinguished Scholar of Global Digital Learning at McMaster University, professor of engineering at Oakland University and author of several books, including A Mind for Numbers and Mindshift, teaches an online course called “Learning How to Learn.” Ready to grow? Start with these guidelines: Think of learning as a lifestyle. Create your own process for acquiring knowledge and skills and ask questions. Work with your brain, not against it. When learning new things, give your brain time so new neural connections can be made. Rethink failure. Encountering difficulty and failure encourages brain plasticity. Be prepared to feel like an impostor, then get over it. Mastery is not a static end state, but a high level of ability to find ways to refine one’s knowledge and skills. Challenge yourself to ask, “What are you learning that keeps you inspired and hungry for more?” Additional Resources: International Positive Education Network Donors Choose Plasticity’s Hero Generation The Strength Switch Via Institute on Character Champlain College Tecmilenio University

If You Want to Be Happy, Use Your Vacation Days

Finding the Kind Way

What Motivates You?

Follow a Dane’s Path to Happiness

Celebrate Character Day on September 26

10 Best Books for Good Mood Food

Making Your Brain Hum with Joe Bates

The Empowered Britney Young

Finding Self-Compassion With Kristin Neff

Kindness Sticks

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