In Pursuit of Happiness

KEEPING WELL

in pursuit of

happiness Optimistic, happy people lead longer and healthier lives.

Here’s how to be one of them.

By Anita Yee

14

WELLNESS FOR ALL

All it takes is to learn a set of skills to enable yourself to take control of life and feel better

I

s your glass half empty or half full? That’s a common expression, and one that’s used to gauge a person’s way of perceiving a particular situation. See it as half full and you’d be labelled an optimist. And half empty? You must be a pessimist then!

The perception of happiness is unique to every individual and is simply one’s interpretation of reality.

But can you change the way you usually perceive situations?

Positive reinforcement

PHOTO: Getty Images & iStockphoto

Over the last decade there has been a revolution in psychology. Rather than focus on what is ailing the individual, there has been a new emphasis on helping an individual enjoy a thriving and happy life by focusing on good things.

Much of this interest is due to Dr Martin Seligman, known as the “father of positive psychology”, who draws on more than 20 years of clinical research to demonstrate how optimism enhances the quality of life.

He shares in his book Learned Optimism that “pessimism is escapable” and all it takes is to learn a set of skills to enable yourself to take control of life and feel better.

According to the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania where Dr Seligman is the director, positive psychology is founded on the belief that “people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives to cultivate what is best within

themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play”.

Dr Seligman further refines his take on positive psychology in his most recent book, Flourish. In it, he builds on his work on optimism, motivation and character to show how to get the most out of life. Using an acronym, PERMA, Dr Seligman summarises positive psychology as:

Positive Emotion (tasty foods, warm baths, et cetera) Engagement (enjoyment of a challenging activity) Relationships (social ties are an extremely reliable indicator of happiness) Meaning (a perceived quest or belonging to something bigger) Accomplishments (having realised tangible goals)

A natural high

“Positive psychology is the study of positive human functioning to understand, explain, predict and enhance a person’s well-being, so that you can thrive and live the best possible life,” sums up Mr Benedict Lim, acting chief psychologist at iGROW, a psychological consulting firm in Singapore.

According to a study conducted by scientists at UCLA in September 2011, having a positive disposition is hereditary. The scientists identified a particular gene’s link to optimism. However, Mr Lim adds that even though there is a genetic set point for happiness, “it only contributes to 50 per cent of our penchant for happiness”. About 40 per cent is based on intentional activities. “Going on a holiday and

LAUGH YOUR WAY TO HEALTH Want to know how you can laugh more? Try Laughter Yoga! Conceived by Dr Madan Kataria, a medical doctor in Mumbai, India, in 1995, Laughter Yoga combines unconditional laughter with yoga-type breathing. Clinical research on Laughter Yoga methods, conducted in Austria, India and the US has proved that laughter lowers the level of stress hormones in the blood, while fostering a positive and hopeful attitude. Visit www.laughteryoga.org for more information.

Apr-Jun 15

KEEPING WELL

eating your favourite foods contribute to this part of your happiness,” he explains.

“The remaining 10 per cent is based on life circumstances such as unemployment, death of a loved one, being born into poverty, and more.”

Looking on the bright side

In an article published in 2007, Dr Seligman said that pessimists can begin to acquire the skill of optimism by consciously doing what an optimist may do intuitively. He explained that through practice, “the pessimist learns to describe good things as permanent and pervasive.

As this skill grows and becomes more and more natural, the loud pessimistic voice softens”.

And if thinking positive is not already a boost to your emotional well-being, there’s also a health benefit to looking on the bright side of things. In Learned Optimism, Dr Seligman writes, “Research findings and evidence suggest that optimistic people catch fewer infectious diseases and they have better general health habits. Their immune systems also seem to work better, and they tend to live longer.”

16

WELLNESS FOR ALL

GIVE YOURSELF A CLAPSS Being more optimistic is something we can all learn and it is important to living a happier life. So how do you begin thinking positive?

According to Mr Benedict Lim, acting chief psychologist at iGROW,“Moving from pessimism to optimism begins by listening to

C L A P S S

what you say to yourself in good times and in bad. You are your own most trusted advisor. What is your most trusted advisor telling you?”

Mr Lim shares his strategies to a happier life using the acronym CLAPSS:

Choose to be happy Learn to reframe your thoughts. Studies show that optimistic thoughts can be self-fulfilling and that optimists are healthier, happier and live longer than pessimists.

Laugh generously Laughter is a good way to cultivate positive emotions that can help you achieve a happy, fulfilled and wealthy life.

Appreciate the blessings in your life Start by recognising the good things when they happen. It might help if you keep a ‘gratitude journal’ and record what you appreciate. Research shows that people who do this experience greater happiness, less anxiety, and even better sleep.

Praise others A pat on the back or a praise can lift another person up and encourage yourself to adopt a more positive outlook on life.

Stretch your strengths Identify your strengths and use them to generate more happiness in your life. In his book, Authentic Happiness, Dr Martin Seligman, director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania says that the highest level of happiness occurs when we are “in flow” (being totally absorbed in what you do) in activities that have a higher purpose — like when we feel we are making a difference in the world.

Seek to increase your skills We are created as social beings with a desire to interact effectively with our environment. Thus, you should always seek to increase your skill sets, which will help you improve your current circumstances to thrive and flourish.