The Science of Happiness

Everyone has sorrows in life. We believe the key is to focus on your joys more often than your sorrows. You can teach yourself how to do this with practice and patience and resources. We want to share those resources and reminders with you how to remain focused on your bright spots in life.

Our toolbox is full of tools you can use to build a happier life for yourself. The trick is no one but you can do this! All of us can create new goals, habits and patterns if we put our minds to it. Happier people create happier societies, countries and a happier world. Our toolbox will help you connect to your inner GPS. One of the most powerful things you can do to improve your happiness is to improve your relationships.  The 3 main ingredients for happiness are social relationships, making progress toward your goals and having a purpose or meaning.

Create your own support group. Create as many as you want! Make a meet up group at meetup.com  or a lean in circle at leanincircles.org

Seek people out to join a common cause. Meet on a regular basis – say once a month. Someone has to collect the emails to connect everyone or create a Facebook or meet up page. What are some ideas for this? Create as many as you have interests for.  About 15 years ago I was invited to be part of a book club. These women are my support group. You have to take charge of your own happiness and create your own support group – no one is going to do it for you.

How do I get THERE from here?

1. Focus on the bright spots- Create a photo or word collage that you can look at everyday in a prominent location and remind yourself what you are grateful for in your life.
2. What makes you happy? Do you know? Make a top 10 list.
3. Dream board – what are you looking to add in your life? Make a bulletin board with photos or words or magazine pictures that you can change as often as you like.
4. SOJS Journal – create a SOJS gratitude journal. Try to write as often as you can 3 things you are grateful for in your day.
5. Set goals- Create your own GPS. Where do you want to go with your next 2 years? 5? 10? 20? You have to have a destination in order to get THERE. Think about your health, love, family, adventures, career.
6. Take stock:
   • How does what I am doing now for a living make me feel?
   • Does it have a positive impact on others? Like what?
   • Does it turn up the volume in my life?
   • When I was a kid I dreamed of:
   • I can’t pass up a book or a movie about:
   • If I played hooky from my life for a week you would find me:
   • Most people don’t know this about me but I really enjoy:
   • I am the go to person when my friends need help with:
   • If I could star in my own movie it would be about:
   • If I were to make a homemade gift it would involve:
   • I have tried it only once or twice but I really enjoyed:
   • The closest I have come to a runner’s high is when I am:
   • What are three strengths I have?
   • If there were no obstacles I would:
   • What are my obstacles?
7. Self talk – NPR: Why saying is believing – The science of self talk
8. Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative- learn to recognize and minimize all the negatives in your life. Create more room to focus on the good stuff like laughter: Laughter is the best medicine
9. Learn to meditate –  UCLA: Free Guided Meditations
10. Create your own board of directors – Who are your greatest cheerleaders in your life? Make a list. Spend as much time as you can with these people. If you don’t have enough of them join meetup.com. Having more social connections is the number one thing you can do to increase your enjoyment of life.

• Happy news, tips and things that make you smile: www.livehappy.com
• Why saying is believing – The science of self talk: NPR Morning Edition
• Lessons in Thriving: bluezone.com
• Pharrell Williams: 24hoursofhappy.com
• Inspirational Quotes: sourcesofinsight.com
• Meeting new people should be simple and fun: www.tableforeight.com
• Changing the world one dinner at a time: diningforwomen.org
• Expanding Heart Connections: www.heartmath.org
• Laughter is the Best Medicine: www.helpguide.org
• What’s your jen ratio: greatergood.berkeley.edu

Explore Common Interests Can you create or join a group of 5 or more people who meet regularly to support each other based on one of these suggested interests below or another interest you want to explore? Why? Decades of research studies have found that our social networks and interpersonal relationships have a substantial impact on our physical health and our psychological well-being.

Rx: Connect to Thrive. Meet with a group of 5 or more around a common interest on a regular basis to share, encourage and support each other in life. (i.e. The true purpose of bookclubs and social groups).