“One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.” Japanese Proverb

Happiness Fact #5 - Together we’re stronger

Having a network of social connections or high levels of social support has been shown to increase our immunity to infection, lower our risk of heart disease and reduce mental decline as we get older.

Not having close personal ties has been shown to pose significant risks for our health.

Love Barrow Awards winners 2012

Ambassador Award - Rob Cairns

Courage Award - Alice Pyne

Environmental Volunteer of the Year - Gren Heart Den Volunteers

Group/Project of the Year - MIND in Furness

Carer of the Year - Dr Anthony Page

Sports Volunteer of the Year - Just4U Young Leaders

Teacher of the Year - Elaine Kent

Young Citizen of the Year - Milly Pyne

Citizen of the Year - Pauline Charnley

Happiness Facts #4 - Happiness is a skill you can learn

Western neuroscience has now confirmed what Eastern wisdom has known for a long time: happiness is a skill we can learn. Research shows that happiness, compassion and kindness are the products of skills that can be learned and enhanced through training, thanks to the neuroplasticity of our brains.

The gift of a smile ...

 

 

“It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown.” Author unknown

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.” Mark Twain

Happiness Facts #3 - Happiness is contagious

Our happiness influences the people we know and the people they know. Research shows that the happiness of a close contact increases the chance of being happy by 15%. The happiness of a 2nd-degree contact (e.g. friend's spouse) increases it by 10% and the happiness of a 3rd-degree contact (e.g. friend of a friend of a friend) by 6%.

“If you don't have a smile, I'll give you one of mine.” Author unknown

Great Dream - Ten Keys to Happier Living

To find out more visit www.actionforhappiness.org

Lots of smiling faces ....

“A smile is the light in the window of your face that tells people you're at home.”  Author unknown

Give us a smile ... smilers from Barrow town centre

 

 

Happiness Facts #2 - Positive emotions make us more resilient

Our emotions affect our long term well-being. Research shows that experiencing positive emotions in a 3-to-1 ratio with negative ones leads to a tipping point beyond which we naturally become more resilient to adversity and better able to achieve things.

Keys to Happier Living - #10 Meaning

To find out more visit www.actionforhappiness.org

January blues? Or as good a month as any other?

It's a popular myth that one particular "Blue Monday" in January tops all others for being the most depressing day of the year. This year it's tipped to be today, 16th January. It makes some sense on the face of it - in the UK at least it is cold and dark; people may be in debt from Christmas excess; and who likes Monday mornings at the best of times?

 

However, Ben Goldacre and others have put paid to the "scientific" evidence for Blue Monday. It was actually just a rather clever marketing idea, adding spurious scientific weight to a holiday company's desire to get us booking our summer break well in advance. It may still feel like the most depressing time of year to many of us - but just because the post Christmas period can be a bit of an anti-climax, there's nothing inherent about today, or any other day, that makes it depressing.

 

What often makes things or times depressing is our interpretation of events, rather than the events themselves. For many of us today could be a day we really enjoy and remember. Perhaps it's your birthday or something great will happen at work? Or maybe you don't really enjoy Christmas and so January represents a chance to get stuck into new projects. Perhaps the weather's perfect for the sports you enjoy or you just get a warm feeling from battling the elements. Many of us - and I definitely include myself here - have grown to love the contrast and variety that comes with living in a climate with such differences in light and weather across the changing seasons.

 

Of course, many people enjoy a good old moan about how awful January is and this is partly what gives the "most depressing day" myth its popularity. It brings a sense of bonding which cheers us up in a backwards sort of way. (I wonder if this is what's behind our "enjoyment" of being grumpy in any collective circumstances?) It's also rather convenient to believe the idea that a depressing Monday in January is the reason we feel down or don't feel like getting up for work. It certainly seems easier than challenging our feelings.

 

So what's the alternative? Well it's not about trying to induce a Pollyanna-like sense of positive thinking even when things hurt us, seem unfair or are going wrong. Feeling angry or upset is often entirely justified and psychologically it's not a good idea to bury these negative emotions. Both socially and politically, such moods have been a force for the good on countless occasions, overturning corrupt regimes and righting injustice.

 

What can we do then? Perhaps we can start by recognising that any sense of gloom in January is at least partly of our own making - allowing ourselves to get tired and unfit, to overspend, to spend too little time outdoors and to be dwelling too much on the negatives in our lives. (Of course, some people do have real problems in relation to Seasonal Affective Disorder and this is different from the "normal" ups and downs most of us experience. So I am not addressing true SAD or clinical conditions here.)

 

It's not easy to turn these things around, especially if we and the people around us think it is inevitable to feel this way - a sort of powerlessness in the face of January blues. But although we can't control everything in our lives, and there will always be difficulties to be dealt with, we can often have a much bigger influence on our mood and outlook than we realise. Although it can be seductive to take a passive approach when we feel low (let's hide under the duvet and hope spring comes by the time we come out!), this only tends to exacerbate our negative feelings. With practice we can learn to be more proactive and resilient.

 

As the saying goes, "There's no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes". So with that mindset let's embrace what January brings: a fresh start after indulgence and celebration; the days starting to get lighter; the first snow drops; some days of brilliantly clear skies and air, and some of tempest that make the bed seem extra cosy and bring a sense of gratitude for a roof over our heads; seasonal vegetables; warm firesides and new drama on the television; friendship without the pressures that Christmas can bring.

 

Let's ignore the bogus evidence about this much maligned month. Instead, we can try to keep a realistically optimistic outlook; put fears in perspective; spend time with upbeat people; and get outside (whatever the weather).

Times might still be hard - but they'll seem easier to bear.

----

Sarah Dale is the occupational psychologist and coach behind the Creating Focus coaching programme. She is author of Keeping Your Spirits Up, and is also writing a blog throughout 2012 exploring the pros and cons of middle age. You can follow her on Twitter at @creatingfocus.

Article reproduced from www.actionforhappiness.org

Happiness Facts #1 - happier people live longer

Happiness doesn't just feel good. A review of hundreds of studies has found compelling evidence that happier people have better overall health and live longer than their less happy peers.

Anxiety, depression, pessimism and a lack of enjoyment of daily activities have all been found to be associated with higher rates of disease and shorter lifespans.

From http://www.actionforhappiness.org/

“People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.”  Lee Mildon

Keys to Happier Living - #9 Acceptance

Top 10 Reasons to Smile

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away - but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood

Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious

When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day - you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

From Mark Stibich PhD at (http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm)