The Defy Aging Newsletter

Anti-aging psychology, holistic health, and wellness

a biweekly e-mail newsletter for helping you think, feel, look, and be more youthful and live with purpose
June 19, 2008         Number 190

 

This issue:

What Research Says About Happiness

Action to take

Rather than pursuing the myth that obtaining or achieving something will bring happiness,

focus on doing things that help raise your happiness set point.

Why

There is an explosion of books on happiness and how to be happy. The Dali Lama’s
The Art of Happiness, Martin Seligman’s Authentic Happiness, Daniel Gilbert’s
Stumbling on Happiness, The Secret of Happiness, Gross National Happiness
(about which country is the happiest), Happiness is a Choice, Happiness is a Serious Problem,
and many more. We’ve come a long way since Charles Schultz taught us that
Happiness is a Warm Puppy.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky on Ageless Lifestyles
Radio. She has spent two decades researching happiness. Her book The How of Happiness
is unique in that it focuses on research on happiness, rather than theories or philosophies.  
So what did she find?

First, 50% of your happiness (i.e., your set point for happiness) is genetic.
I see that as both good news a bad news. When bad things happen it is like insurance--
it helps you bounce back. On the other hand most people who win the lottery are
about as happy as they were a year after their big win. Also, some genes
make people particularly vulnerable to depression-especially if they also have traumatic experiences.

While we tend to think that our happiness if primarily due to life events, Lyubomirsky
found that only 10% is situational. That leaves 40% to the activities you pursue.
Activities that help raise your set point for happiness include:
~ expressing gratitude
~ cultivating optimism
~ avoiding social comparisons
~ performing acts of kindness
~ nurturing relationships
~ forgiving
~ pursuing "flow experiences"
~ savoring life's pleasures
~ pursuing spiritual growth
~ exercising and good health practices

Put that way, it fits well with what clergy teach us and with common sense.
The bottom line is, if you want to be happier, forgot the myth aboutt the
achievements or acquisitions that will bring happiness and focus on what you do.

Quotes

Human felicity is produc'd not so much by great pieces of good fortune
that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.
~Benjamin Franklin

Humor

If ignorance is bliss, why aren't there more happy people?
~Anonymous

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.
~Oscar Wilde

Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop.
~Gertrude Stein

 

Listen to Dr. Brickey interview leading ant-aging experts.

Free on Ageless Lifestyles Radio at www.webtalkradio.net

 

Ageless Lifestyles Radio takes a holistic approach in addressing anti-aging psychology, alternative medicine, medicine, fitness, nutrition, health, and wellness. The emphasis is on innovative thinking and practices that have solid data and results. There is a new show each week. It's free.
 

Currently at www.webtalkradio.net you can hear:

  • Neurogeneticist Dr. Sharon Moalem on What’s Good about Disease
  • Chef Alexander Bernard on How to Get Healthy, Nutritious Food at Restaurants
  • Life Extension Foundation’s Dr. Steven Joyal on the Real Causes of Cardiovascular Disease
  • Color/Image Consultant Dawn Waldrop on Does This Color Make Me Look Old?
  • Dr. Stephen Post on How Altruism and Love Foster Health, Happiness, and Longevity
  • Sheryl Kurland on The Real Experts on Marriage: Couples Married 50+ Years
  • Mary Rose Maguire on how Boomer and Seniors Can Find True Love
  • Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky on What Research Says About How To Be Happier
  • John Erickson, Founder of Erickson Retirement Communities and Retirement Living TV on A Visionary Redefines Aging and Retirement

Podcasts for previous shows are at www.agelesslifestyles.com

 

 

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THE DEFY AGING NEWSLETTER
Anti-Aging Psychology
Holistic Health and Wellness

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"Dr. Michael Brickey, The Anti-Aging Psychologist, teaches people to think, feel, look and be more youthful. He is an inspiring keynote speaker and Oprah-featured author. His works include:  Defy Aging, 52 baby steps to Grow Young, and Reverse Aging (anti-aging hypnosis CDs). Visit www.NotAging.com for a free report on anti-aging secrets and a free newsletter with practical anti-aging tips."