Are you happy? Could you be happier? Believe it or not, your life could depend on it. Research has shown that happier people live longer and healthier lives than unhappy people. According to the Journal of Happiness Studies (yes this actually exists, though to my dismay, the Editor is not named Dr. Feelgood) the impact of being happy on human health is equivalent to that of not smoking. But what if your personal theme song is more “Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues” than “Good Day Sunshine”? Or even if you just have more negative thoughts than you would prefer, can you cultivate more happiness in your life? And how? Read the rest of this entry »
You say you want a resolution?
Happy 2010! As the rush of the holiday season fades from memory and the grind of the new year begins, it’s time once again, to make those New Year’s Resolutions…Or is it?…Though there is no definitive study (apparently someone resolved to create the National Institute for New Year’s Resolutions Research last year but never did), it appears that most people don’t keep their resolutions beyond February.
So why do we keep making them? Should there be a “Resolution Revolution” where we free ourselves from the whole silly practice? Or is there something we’re missing? Something that if addressed, would allow us to keep our resolutions and achieve the personal growth and happiness we all deserve? I believe it all comes down to three factors: Desire, Motivation, and Barriers. Read the rest of this entry »