How to get happier and healthier despite adversity

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How to get happier and healthier despite adversity

by Judith Coulson-Geissmann

 

 

Especially when times are getting though, and the world is bombarded with bad news, it is essential to keep a positive outlook. The Science of Positive Psychology is addressing the human mindset and behaviour that can lead people to recover, grow, and flourish despite adversity. 

 

There is power in positive thinking. Positive emotions are linked with better health, longer life, and greater wellbeing. On the other hand, chronic anger, worry, and hostility increase the risk of developing chronic & heart disease. 

 

Simple steps to get happier and healthier 

 

Being grateful, doing things for others, and improving your health will pay off. 

 

The New Year usually brings the resolve to eat better and exercise more. But here’s another resolution for the list: improve your wellbeing. That’s your overall emotional and physical health. Here are some tips to help you boost both. 

 

Get happy 

 

About 40% of what determines happiness is under your control, according to Dr. Ronald D. Siegel, assistant clinical professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School and faculty editor of Positive Psychology, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. In contrast, only about 10% has to do with good and bad fortune. “It’s not events, but our responses to events that determine our level of wellbeing,” says Dr. Siegel. He offers several steps you can take to improve your emotional wellbeing: 

 

1. Live in the moment. When you’re fully engaged in activities, you will enjoy them more and be less preoccupied with concerns about the past and the future. While your life is restricted, enjoy the small things in life like quality time with the people that exercise social distancing with you. 

 

2. Be grateful. Keeping a daily gratitude journal promotes positive feelings, optimism, life satisfaction, and connectedness with others. Even when things fall apart around you, you can be grateful for what you have. 

 

3. Do things for others. Happiness comes most reliably from connecting with others and not being overly self-focused. Try to do things that benefit someone or something other than yourself. Check on your neighbours, does anyone need help with shopping or some household chores. 

 

4. Take inventory of your strengths, then apply them in new ways in your daily life. For example, if you count curiosity as a strength, read about a new subject. If you consider yourself brave, try something that makes you nervous, such as public speaking. 

 

Don’t know what your strengths are? Try the free VIA Character strength survey: https://go.shr.lc/2xxQnDi You will get your top five strengths and some explanation to it for free. 

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/health-and-beauty/how-to-get-happier-and-healthier-despite-adversity-2/

 

-- © Copyright Expat Life in Thailand 2020-09-18

 

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