slow down to become happier

Slow down to become happier

Many people who follow my Rec Therapy Today blog know that I [Danny Pettry] am a big fan of positive psychology, mindfulness meditation, and things like that.

Here is a link for a neat article from TED about slowing down:

ideas.ted.com/want-to-be-happy-slow-down/?utm_campaign=social&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_content=ideas-blog&utm_term=social-science

Focus on what makes you miserable - to feel happier

David Marchese had written an interesting article  about Randy J. Paterson’s treatment approach. titled: to get happier, focus on what  makes you miserable.

I forget the psychology term for this (prescribing the symptom).

I do think there is some merit to this approach.

I really want to read Paterson’s book, How to be miserable: 40 strategies you already use.

http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2016/06/to-get-happier-focus-on-what-makes-you-miserable.html?utm_content=bufferfa2be&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Mighty!

The Mighty (with the tagline: we face disability, disease, and  mental illness together) had posted an interesting article about the misconceptions of happiness and depression.

You might want to follow the Mighty. 

Read their article here that I'm talking about:

http://themighty.com/2016/05/i-am-depressed-but-i-feel-happiness/

why meaningfulness matters more than happiness.

From Business Insider:  a psychiatrist who survived the holocaust explains why meaningfulness matters more than happiness.

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-lesson-about-happiness-from-a-holocaust-survivor-2014-10

Danny P. - my favorite theory Victor Frankl's existential theory as described in his book, Man's Search for Meaning.

why some people are happy being single.

From Psychology Today: why some people are happy being single:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/close-encounters/201508/why-many-people-are-just-happy-being-single?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost

Nature promotes kindness, happiness and creativity...

I always knew it!
Nature is good for us.

Read how nature helps to promote kindness, happiness, and creativity at this mindful.org link:

http://www.mindful.org/how-nature-boosts-kindness-happiness-and-creativity/

21 Tips for a happy and healthy life.

Check this out:
Bored Panda put together a list of 21 tips for a happy and healthy life

http://www.boredpanda.com/how-to-be-happy-happiness-life-tips-dailyhealthgen 

Gratitude makes you feel happier

My good friend, Colleen Cooke (Professor for Rec Therapy at Slippery Rock University, PA) shared a really neat article in the NY Times that explains how choosing to be grateful will make you happier.

Do you want to be happier? be grateful.
Go here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/22/opinion/sunday/choose-to-be-grateful-it-will-make-you-happier.html?_r=0

Trying to make kids happy can backfire.

I found this article to be very interesting.

Here is the big question that is asked by Carter:

"Do we do things to make our children happy because they are happy when we provide them with an iPad to play with or an ice cream cone? Or do we teach them the skills that they need to lead happy, meaningful, fulfilling lives?"

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/02/living/feat-happy-project-kids-happiness-backfire/index.html

Edit your child's story (activity idea) to promote happier endings.

Here is a neat idea for an activity: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/01/01/258674011/editing-your-lifes-stories-can-create-happier-endings