Kidscorner

Friday 5 August 2011

The psychology of happiness

My happy chappy

Parenting is very difficult. However children give us a sense of accomplishment which makes us feel happy. :)

The psychology of happiness
or positive psychologie

I always loved psychology. It gave me a little understanding of how the world works or better how people work. When I studied some psychology a  part was abnormal psychology which is how people shouldn't work and how to fix it when things go wrong. I thought wouldn't it be much better to know what makes people happy in the first place so you can prevent this stuff from happening.
I found out this has been happening over the last years and I completely missed it.  I learned about it through a magazine and some stuff on the Internet, I have to share it with you  I know it works. Because we are all different some things work better for one than for others but they all  contribute. here we go, what makes us happy:

  • Relationships! We are social animals. We are connected, and the more you are able to connect to people the happier you are. What stops you from this : Looking up and looking down on people.
  • Exercise! This is a well known one. When you exercise you produce endorphins which are happy chemicals. Don't over exercise though, which causes stress to you and the muscles. Walking and swimming will do just fine.
  • Don't focus on the negative but on the positive. When you think about things that make you angry you won't feel happy. Logic hey but we still tend to do it often. At the end of the day just count your blessings.Make a list of what was fun today or what you are grateful for. Your happiness will go in the lift to the top floor.
  • Caring and giving. When you contribute to other peoples happiness you feel better yourself. You don't have to be mother Theresa but just little things will do. Become a member of  Love Rally  A blog which gives you tips how to care and write letters to people who have a really hard time. Giving some money to the red cross etc. Your mental health will sky rocket.
  • Flow. Losing your self consciousness and being deeply engaged in doing something makes you happy. This can be gardening, cooking, for me it is writing poetry or reading a book etc. Somethng which engages you so much that you loose yourself in it.
  • Learning something Learning something new whether this is at work or at home, a new language, a new hobby etc keeps the brain stimulated and therefore makes you feel better.
  • Living in the moment. Focus on what you are thinking and feeling an seeing now. When you are doing new things or going on holiday to new places you are focused because all is new and you are living in the now. This makes you feel more alive and happier.
  • Achieving something .. If you feel you have accomplishment something you feel more happy. Even if you go through a traumatic experience you can feel good. In science this is called post-traumatic growth: After a traumatic experience some people realise that there relationships are improved, they realised that they could cope and survived and they realise the important things in life. So even if you lost your stuff in an earthquake you realise that it is more important that your friends and family are all fine.
If you want to know a bit more here is a Ted video. I love Tedd videos They are talks from remarkable people and are freely shared with the world.


16 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh! What a surprise to see Love Rally in here! I'm so happy and surprised! Thank you! I'm going to add you to the LoveRally blogroll!! And the button is in the sidebar too --- FUN! Thank you for spreading the word.

    Okay, now what I was originally going to say before I saw the Love Rally link, lol...

    Endorphins. They are our friends. lol. I love this post... in fact I can't pic a favorite among this list because they are all wonderful! Focus, positive attitude, doing good for yourself and others, everything mentioned is so good! I do LOVE the 'learn something' part. Very important!!
    Thanks again!

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  2. Oh duh, by the way, I originally was going to say that your daughter is beautiful. Natural beauty, wow!

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  3. When you exercise you produce endorphins

    I like this one, and I know this one works, but I am just too lazy esp when it is cool outside.

    I have been two places in Auckland with these frames. One in the waitakeries and one I think in Hunua.

    When you come up to Auckland again, look for these two places.

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  4. I haven’t listened to the video yet, Marja, but I have to say your thoughts on happiness (or perhaps just peace of mind) are wonderfully written and profoundly helpful. Although easier said than done at times, it all works if one is willing to set aside the negative feelings and cherish the moment. Also, what fun to see all the interesting expressions on your daughter’s pretty face. :)

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  5. Your daughter is beautiful! Psychology is interesting, I studied it at University for a year but found it too vague and went to Training College for Teachers.Psychology is the study of the healthy adult and psychiatry is the study of the mentally sick human.Still it's very difficult.
    Thanks for this post.

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  6. Thank you for reminding me! It is easy to run off the road and get bogged down. I should hang your list up on the wall to remind myself ;)

    PS I can't sign in with my own name and url. the link above is an old blogger re-direct.

    www.lifeintheexpatlane.com

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  7. You has a very beautiful daughter.I agree with you Parenting is very difficult... ;)

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  8. Oh, your daughter is so lovely!
    And your post is wonderful!
    Great video too!

    Happy day, Marja. x

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  9. Excellent tips for a happy life. Now if I would just exercise more.

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  10. Hi Marja! It seems that everybody is on holidays... Here it’s true, but someone has to stay... ;)

    Ted is fabulous!!

    Blogtrotter Two is preparing to leave St. Florent. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!!

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  11. Marja you are spreading such wisdom with your blog posts, it is always a joy to stop by and learn something.
    Also I love the collage of your daughter.
    Keep shining dear one.
    Peggy xxxx

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  12. This is a great post and your advice is truly wise. I shall have to call you "guru marja" from now on.

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  13. The collage of your daughter shows her well – she is very pretty. If everyone would follow your tips it would make people a lot happier. I loved your pictures of the snow but it is hard to imagine here as it is so warm and muggy.

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  14. Kia ora Marja,
    Lovely photos of your beautiful daughter. I believe that my path is most like the mountains. Sometimes I am high on the ridge where the view is wonderful and the skies clear, and sometimes in the narrow gorge far below where it is dark and full of questions. Both have their places and importance, but sometime it is best to walk the ridge between the high and lows. Kia kaha e hoa.
    Aroha,
    Robb

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  15. My son wants to major in psychology when he gets in college. The only issue is that I'm not sure I want my educated son examining his father's mental condition too closely.

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  16. popping in but nothing new, luckily I can read this one again, I love it!

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Thank you!!