At Harvard University, Psychology 1504, has become
the most popular course on
campus. Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar teaches a class on what
makes people happy and what adds value to their
lives rather than just their pathologies. Below are Dr.
Ben-Shabar's thoughts on life happiness:
Six Tips for Happiness
Advice from Tal Ben-Shahar.
1. Give yourself permission to be human. When we
accept emotions -- such as fear, sadness, or
anxiety -- as natural, we are more likely to overcome
them. Rejecting our emotions, positive or negative,
leads to frustration and unhappiness.
2. Happiness lies at the intersection between
pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home,
the goal is to engage in activities that are both
personally significant and enjoyable. When this is not
feasible, make sure you have happiness boosters,
moments throughout the week that provide you with
both pleasure and meaning.
3. Keep in mind that happiness is mostly dependent
on our state of mind, not on our status or the state
of our bank account. Barring extreme circumstances,
our level of well being is determined by what we
choose to focus on (the full or the empty part of the
glass) and by our interpretation of external events.
For example, do we view failure as catastrophic, or
do we see it as a learning opportunity?
4. Simplify! We are, generally, too busy, trying to
squeeze in more and more activities into less and less
time. Quantity influences quality, and we compromise
on our happiness by trying to do too much.
5. Remember the mind-body connection. What we
do -- or don't do -- with our bodies influences our
mind. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy
eating habits lead to both physical and mental health.
6. Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too
often take our lives for granted. Learn to appreciate
and savor the wonderful things in life, from people to
food, from nature to a smile.
