#How to Be Happy

[gloupblog]

[turtlesandfrogs]

Here's the actually* short notes for the course, "The Science of Well-Being" from Yale on coursera, which is available for free. Mostly focusing on the actionable steps.

Point the first: We/society at large is often wrong about what makes people happy/have a sense of well being. Unless you've been reading into motivation, happiness, flow, etc, already, in which case you're likely right on track.

We adapt to both good things and bad things, so neither one effects us as much as we think they will. Our brains adapt to, and filter out stimuli after a while. If we want to get the most enjoyment out of something/life, we should increase variety and take breaks. Like, drink a different kind of tea every day, or take breaks when listening to music. Also, practicing gratitude, savoring (pausing and intentionally appreciating the good moments in life), sharing experiences with others, and recalling past moments of joy. Also, you can practice negative visualization, when you on purpose think of how awful the world would be if you didn't have something that you do have.

A good job is one that allows you to practice your signature strengths and enter the flow state.

The income-increased happiness plateau is somewhere between $75k and $500k- but I found a recent article** after the comments to this effect, and "Yet is important to note that the relationship is weak, even if statistically robust. The correlation between average happiness and log(income) is 0.09 in the experience sampling data, for example, and the difference between the medians of happiness at household incomes of $15,000 and $250,000 is about five points on a 100-point scale. The flattening and accelerating patterns are even smaller modulations of a small effect. However, the emotional effects of other circumstances are also small. KD reported that the effect of an approximately four-fold difference in income is about equal to the effect of being a caregiver, twice as large as the effect of being married, about equal to the effect of a weekend, and less than a third as large as the effect of a headache." Which says to me I'm making the right move by going to a 4 day work week :P But seriously, that's great news.

We think in comparisons, and comparison is the thief of joy. You can reduce consumption of images of people who are richer, cooler, more skilled, etc than you, and that will help prevent mood deterioration. You can also reframe to compare to yourself in the past.

Being kind makes you and everyone involved happier. Buying things for others makes you happier than buying things for yourself. Giving to charity makes you happier if it builds social connection. (Why the focus on buying things to make you happier? Why not on actions you can take to make yourself or someone else happier? Probably because giving someone $20 is easier from a study's standpoint.)

Get 7 or more hours of sleep a day.

Move 30 minutes a day.

Meditate- look into mindfulness, loving kindness.

Social connection- doesn't have to be a romantic relationship! Just interacting with others, even strangers, makes us happier (still sounds fake to me, but I'm like a mega introvert). Spending time with people you like is good.

Having free time is important.

Create an environment that supports what ever change you're trying to make.

WOOP = Wish, Outcome, Obstacles, and Plan. "What's your wish for your goal? What's your best outcome? What are the obstacles? What's your if-then plan?" Really helps with actually accomplishing your goals.

*I realized I said short notes before, but then somehow that ended up being super long.

** Income and emotional well-being: A conflict resolved by Matthew A. Killingswortha, Daniel Kahnemanb, and Barbara Mellers

[know-the-self]

Apply in your own experience....

Whatever you aware of, you are not it. You are that which is aware.

Awareness itself - One without a second.

Video shorts:- Swami Sarvapriyananda

[triptoartsworld]

How to be happy

[samaelqayin]

[uaravsh]

"If I didn't think, I'd be much happier."

- Sylvia Plath @silentroad

[smallblueandloud]

walked past a rehearsal room on campus today and they were playing LIVE JAZZ! they had a FLUTE! god it was so, so beautiful. figured it would be weird to sit down outside the door just to listen so instead i'm walking around listening to dizzy gilespie and marveling at how truly magical jazz feels

[cant-face-the-dark]

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

How to Be Happy.

[divine-nonchalance]

Take a moment to close your eyes.

Visualize a point of light in the middle of your head. Visualize a point of light in the center of your heart. Visualize these two points connected by a column of light.

Now whisper, say it slowly, with feeling; I'm ready to remember my ancient roots. I am choosing to reinvigorate and revive the lost wisdoms of the past.

You are declaring to your higher self and the universe that you are ready to awaken further.

Feel the words echo in your heart!

Courtesy of Orxa.

[oceanicpoetry]

not me listening to what was i made for while thinking of loki finding out he was a stolen relic and ugly crying

[helena5777]

How to take care of yourself

Hiii! <3 How are you? I hope you're having a great day/night, anyway, maybe you need this because you're not feeling ok right now, so I'm going to tell you some tips to feel better.

Taking care of yourself is essential to maintaining good physical, mental and emotional health. Here are some practices you can adopt to take care of yourself:

Healthy eating: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Limit the consumption of processed foods, added sugars and saturated fats.

Regular exercise: Do regular physical activity to keep your body in shape and release endorphins that will help you feel good. Find activities that you enjoy, whether it's walking, running, swimming, yoga, or any other exercise that motivates you.

Adequate rest: Make sure you get enough sleep every night to allow your body to recover and regenerate. Establish a regular sleep routine and create an environment conducive to rest in your bedroom.

Stress management: Find techniques that help you manage stress, such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or practicing relaxing activities like reading, drawing, or listening to music.

Healthy Relationships: Cultivate positive, supportive relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. Maintain open and honest communication, and seek help when you need it.

Time for yourself: Dedicate time to activities that you like and that make you feel good, whether it is practicing your hobbies, going out into nature, or simply relaxing and resting.

Regular medical consultation: Schedule regular medical check-ups to detect any health problems in early stages and receive appropriate treatment.

Remember that self-care is an important part of maintaining a healthy balance in life. Don't be afraid to prioritize yourself and take steps to care for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Also remember to breathe deeply and smile ^^ <333

[to-each-based-on-need]

been feeling like i’m twenty again but without the social structures or spacial freedom that college let me have, with more trauma and debt. i will not make enough money to move out and live around here until I get my masters. i feel like i’m finally healing all the stuff that I walked into my twenties with. i know that’s a gift. i’ve just accumulated so much more since then. how do thirty year olds make friends? how do they fall in any kind of love? i haven’t had a crush in three years. i really care about and feel cared about by some people, but i don’t know if that’s enough, and i don’t want to live in a world where i have to choose that.

[rheanyraaaa]

announcement? ish idk anyways i’ve planned the next 20+ chapters up and then wrapping the story up but i also fear i will be too connected so i think i’m going to start doing modern au’s at some point but not as long as this fic but like one shots and then maybe do one shots of this fic once it’s done but like i might need therapy bcs i get SOOO connected with writing and characters and i get so hyper fixed it’s so embarrassing…. how does one get over 😩😩😩

i’m just a girl 😊

[itspkuwu]

Something that I’ve recently realized, and I think this needs to be shared: A good amount of the time that you’re surrounded by people that make you angry and feel like a less then, it only makes YOU gain some toxic traits. Thus, leading them to say some questionable things and losing some friends. I’m not saying this is that person’s fault. Not at all. But please, for the sake of your mental state and over all well being: If someone keeps making you angry, even if unintentionally, just distance yourself. Even if only for a little bit. So that you don’t end up doing something “stupid”. And I’m speaking from personal experience.

Take care of yourself ❤️