Don’t worry, be happy
Think you know what makes people happy? Some say money, youth, good looks, or lots of free time lead to happiness. All of these are myths, but employees who want to learn more about what really contributes to enduring happiness and the benefits of positive emotions can sign up now for a new class at the Wellness Center.
"THRIVE, Don’t Just Survive: The Power of Positive Psychology, Section 2” is from noon to 1 p.m., June 21 in Room 106 at the Wellness Center. The class is free and open to the entire Laboratory work force, their spouses, and retirees. Employees can register here.
Money can provide momentary happiness, but doesn’t impact a person’s enduring happiness level. As people age, their happiness increases, according to Amy Anderson of Medical Services (OM-MS) who will lead the class. “Being content with yourself and having good relationships raises happiness levels, not how you look. And, people who spend time volunteering and doing things for others enjoy greater happiness than those who have abundant free time,” she said.
Positive psychology, a new branch of psychology, is the study of optimal functioning, and focuses on the aspects of life that lead to happiness, fulfillment, and thriving in love, work and play. Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, was interested in addressing the sources of psychological strength rather than frailty. Over the past ten years Seligman and his colleagues have been studying what contributes to a person’s happiness level, the importance of positive emotions, and how to raise the happiness level.
One important finding by researchers, Anderson said, was that people actually function better in a positive mood state. “Happy people are healthier, live longer, cope better with illness, are more creative, better problem solvers, and build stronger relationships than their unhappy peers,” said Anderson.
Also, as a result of this research, there now are “happiness building exercises.” One is called the Three Blessings Exercise. According to Seligman, the human brain tends to ignore what goes well and focuses on what might go wrong. This exercise is intended to re-direct attention toward the positive.
Anderson suggests that every night for the next week, right before bed, employees write down three things that went really well that day. “These don’t have to be earth shattering. They can be simple things, such as having seen a beautiful sunrise,” said Anderson. “People who did this exercise reported less depression and increased happiness. This exercise can change what you attend to during the day and change your memory of events. The result is increased contentment,” she said.
For more information about the class, call Anderson at 7-7339. For more information about positive psychology, go to the Authentic Happiness Web site.
