Article:
Good Mental Health Messages: HIGHLIGHTING HAPPINESS
What is Happiness?
Happiness means many things to many people, thus it is difficult to define. It may be the pleasurable feeling one experiences from planning an event, not the event in itself, or the feeling one has after mastering what has been a very significant challenge. Authentic happiness is often described as the positive feeling that comes from experiencing the journey, not the event.
Research clearly demonstrates that young people and adults who are happy tend to be healthier, have more enjoyment during life and live longer. Young people and adults make the choice to either be happy or unhappy and everyone can work at enhancing their level of happiness.
Happiness can result by altering your perception of what is happening.
Strategies which may help develop enhanced happiness for young people and adults include:
- Focusing on thinking what is right, not what is wrong about a particular situation.
- Checking one’s thoughts: Thinking “I will do …” rather than “I shouldn’t do …” is a far more helpful way of thinking.
- Developing your curiosity, open – mindedness, perseverance, integrity, kindness, fairness, leadership, prudence, humility, gratitude, hope, forgiveness, humour and enthusiasm. These are a selection of the “happiness” strengths.
- Developing long term goals and values then being committed to remaining true to them.
- Focusing on the positives of past experiences, not the negativity of those experiences. Have you ever noticed how often people only remember the negatives, not the positives of a situation?
- Looking for win – win solutions in the resolution of all conflicts.
- Associating with positive people. Positive people seem to be more sociable, fun loving and their zest for life can be catching.
- Reframing negative questions and comments into positive statements.
- Being optimistic. The skills of optimism can be learned.
- Smiling with your whole face using all your facial muscles.
One final thought/consideration:
Happiness is an attitude of the mind, and children, young people and adults are responsible for achieving their own happiness.
Resources
Although these resources do not specifically relate to this article, they are very useful
phone numbers/websites to contact for further information.
Parent Line | 13 22 89 | ||
Kids Helpline | 1800 55 1800 | ||
Inspire Foundation |
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* Developed by the Primary Prevention In Schools Committee 2004.
For further information contact the Mental Health Promotions Officer, Ballarat
Health Services – CAMHS (03) 53203030