February

Cultivating Joy

Identifying, Supporting, and Sustaining Happiness

Psychology of Happiness

According to psychology, happiness is about more than simply the experience of a positive mood. ... In other words, happiness is “people's evaluations of their lives and encompasses both cognitive judgments of satisfaction and affective appraisals of moods and emotions” (Kesebir & Diener, 2008, p. 118).

In other words, there is no one set definition for happiness as it is subjective, meaning each person views happiness differenlty. In terms of wellness, our happiness is typically supported when our physical health, mental/emotional healt, social, spiritual, economic, intellectual and environmental wellness are in balance. If we are severely lacking in one or more areas, this can negatively affect our health, mood and feelings of happiness.

What's Joy Got to do With it?

Definition of joy (as a noun)

1a: the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : DELIGHT

b: the expression or exhibition of such emotion : GAIETY

2: a state of happiness or felicity : BLISS

3: a source or cause of delight

Feelings of joy are felt when there is deep pleasure in mind, body or spirit. Joy can be found in tending a garden, raising a child, reading a good book, running a marathon, cooking a tasty meal...There is no limit to what type of joy any one person will feel. Joy and happiness will intertwine together providing strong pleasurable feelings.

Even when we make mistakes, feelings of happiness and joy can arise when we learn from our mistakes, embrace challenges, and have look forward with a positive mindset.

Sometime we can feel guilty for feeling happy or joyful when we know of others around us who are hurting. Don't allow guilt to make a home in your mind. Remember, you can spread your joy and happiness to others through kind deeds, words, and prayers (if spiritual).

GET A HAPPINESS BOOST!

Take out a pen and paper (or fire up your laptop) and follow these steps:

1.) Select something good in your life that falls under one of the following categories: education, health, safety/security, possessions, weekends/holidays, support from others, or personal achievement.

2.) Imagine your life without that one good thing. Picture the impact clearly. How do you feel?

3.) Write down how your life would be different. Describe your feelings.

4.) Refocus on the present moment. Re-evaluate how you feel about that good thing.

5.) Have you activated any of your character strengths? (Look under January's theme for a refresher)

**Written by Dr. Ryan Niemeic for the VIA Institute of Character

Cultivate Joy and Happiness

A 20 minute guided mindfullness meditation for adolescents and adults.

Making Space for Joy

A 20 minute guided meditaiton for adolescents and adults.

What Makes You Happy?

An experiment in happiness for adolescents.

What Makes Kids Happy

For kids by kids.

7 Habits of Healthy Kids

This video puts the 7 Habbits of Healthy Kids into song form. This is from the book The Leader in Me by Stephen Covey.

It is important to start teaching children from a young age so that they create healthy habbits. Healthy choices leads to feelings of confidence, competence, and happiness. It is easier to feel joyful when having the tools to be successful.

Journaling for Joy

Sustain Joy Through Journaling

Try out journaling individually or as a family to track positive events, feelings and thoughts each day. Make it a goal to write down at least 3 positives from each day, even when the positives are hard to find. Nothing is too little to count as joy or happiness. At the end of each week, look back and review all the positives from the previous week. These small reminders help cultivate joy, gratitude, and hope.

Examples of positives:

Fresh water

Employment

Reading a good book

Dancing to a good song

Hugging a loved one

Talking to a close freind

Splashing in puddles

Smelling nature (flowers, fresh cut grass, etc.)

A soft blanket

Legs which walk

Eyes which see

Ears which hear

Yoga/exercise

Swinging on a swing

Writing a letter to someone

Volunter work

Draw a picture for a sick or sad neighbor

Watch the clouds float by

A child's laugh

A fresh cup of java

Baking

Taste testing baked goods

Creating something new

Taking a cleansing shower

Being invovled in spiritual pursuits

Pride in hard work/good grades/good behavior

Playing a game

Taking a nap

Saving time

Celebrating a birth, holiday, wedding, graduation or birthday

Trying something new even if it seems a little scary

Clean clothes

Indoor plumbing

A working mode of transportation

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