Happiness

I saw some video segments from 60 Minutes on Yahoo News this morning that are very informative about happiness. They are interviews of Tal Ben-Shahar, a Harvard psychology professor and lecturer. The link below will bring up the Yahoo News video player and should play the videos (and a few commercials :) automatically in succession:

Yahoo News Videos
We Can't Have It All
Happiness Defined
Why Americans Are Unhappy
He Practices What He Preaches
Five Easy Steps

According to Tal, in our materialistic society there is a lot of pressure from high expectations. However, wealth does not create happiness. We need to have realistic expectations. We can't have it all but we can have a lot.

He also says it is difficult to define happiness. It is an experience of meaning (importance) and pleasure. Meaning can be achievement, contributing to community, or enjoyment of friendship or a relationship. What is pleasure and meaning will vary over time and by culture and from one person to another. Below are Tal's suggestions for happiness:

* Simplify - more is not always better

* Exercise is important - improves mood

* It's OK to experience painful emotions - give yourself permission to be human

* Appreciate what we have - give thanks and grow and learn both in regard to our relationships and our surroundings

I would add that maintaining good health by eating a good diet is also very important for happiness. It's more difficult to be happy if you're not healthy and many drugs and medications can cause depression. Too much sugar in your diet may also lead to depression, as well as lack of general good nutrition.

Also, below is a YouTube video of a funny interview of Tal Ben-Shahar by Jon Stewart on the Daily Show:



Tal Ben-Shahar has written a book called "Happier", which I have not read but looks interesting and is highly rated on Amazon Books.

I'm happy because I have the day off for President's Day today :)