Friday, 29 January 2010
The G spot of happiness
Well, if its true that money can't make us happy then let's look at what can increase our happiness - the answers might surprise you. One factor shown to increase happiness is Gratitude (the G spot of happiness). No matter how terrible things seem at times, we all have things to be grateful for - a close friend's support, the companionship of a pet, a roof over our head, enough money to pay the bills and buy food, the opportunity to look at beautiful scenery, read a poem or laugh over a comedy movie with friends.
Emmons and McCullough (2003) gathered 3 groups of participants to investigate the 'gratitude factor'. Each group was asked to spend a short time each week writing. Group 1 listed 5 things for which they were grateful. Group 2 listed 5 things that annoyed them and Group 3 just wrote down 5 things that had taken place during the previous week.
The findings were surprising. The 'gratitude' group reported greater levels of happiness and optimism, were physically healthier and even exercised more!
So take up the challenge and create your own G spot of happiness in the form of a gratitude diary!
Emmons and McCullough (2003) gathered 3 groups of participants to investigate the 'gratitude factor'. Each group was asked to spend a short time each week writing. Group 1 listed 5 things for which they were grateful. Group 2 listed 5 things that annoyed them and Group 3 just wrote down 5 things that had taken place during the previous week.
The findings were surprising. The 'gratitude' group reported greater levels of happiness and optimism, were physically healthier and even exercised more!
So take up the challenge and create your own G spot of happiness in the form of a gratitude diary!
Does money REALLY buy happiness?
Most of us fantasise about that elusive lottery win, certain that our happiness levels would rocket and we would live happily ever after. Is this really the case? Can money lead to lasting happiness? One study carried out by Brickman et al (1978) investigated this issue. Researchers contacted a small group of individuals who had won major prizes in the Illinois State Lottery. The same number of individuals was randomly selected from the telephone directory to act as a control group.
Participants were interviewed about their current happiness level, their anticipated future happiness level and were also questioned about the happiness they derived from the small uplifts in life such as a beautiful sunset or sharing a joke with a friend.
The lotter winners were no more or less happy than the control group. In addition there was no difference in their anticipated 'happiness level'. The only difference actually noted was that our of the two groups, the non-winners reported greater levels of pleasure gained through the simple everyday uplifts!
Participants were interviewed about their current happiness level, their anticipated future happiness level and were also questioned about the happiness they derived from the small uplifts in life such as a beautiful sunset or sharing a joke with a friend.
The lotter winners were no more or less happy than the control group. In addition there was no difference in their anticipated 'happiness level'. The only difference actually noted was that our of the two groups, the non-winners reported greater levels of pleasure gained through the simple everyday uplifts!
What's in a Name?
They say "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" - but would it really? Imagine telling a friend about the lovely bouquet of dungbuckets someone gave you!
Psychologists have shown that person's name can affect many aspects of their life, even the careers people choose.
Casler (1975) compiled a list of over 200 academic staff working in areas associated with their surname. For example he found a Relationship Counsellor called "Breedlove", a tax expert called "Due" and a psychologist interested in parental pressure called "Mumpower"!
In the 1990s New Scientist magazine asked readers to send examples in and among the names submitted were Miss Beat and Miss Sharp (music teachers), employees of the meteorological office called Flood, Frost, Thundercliffe and Weatherall.
In addition they were told of a sex therapist called Lust, a pneumonia expert called Peter Atchoo, a company of lawyers called Lawless and Lynch and the head of a psychiatric hospital Dr. McNutt.
Psychologists have shown that person's name can affect many aspects of their life, even the careers people choose.
Casler (1975) compiled a list of over 200 academic staff working in areas associated with their surname. For example he found a Relationship Counsellor called "Breedlove", a tax expert called "Due" and a psychologist interested in parental pressure called "Mumpower"!
In the 1990s New Scientist magazine asked readers to send examples in and among the names submitted were Miss Beat and Miss Sharp (music teachers), employees of the meteorological office called Flood, Frost, Thundercliffe and Weatherall.
In addition they were told of a sex therapist called Lust, a pneumonia expert called Peter Atchoo, a company of lawyers called Lawless and Lynch and the head of a psychiatric hospital Dr. McNutt.
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