The cover story in the current issue of Scientific American Mind is all about how a sense of humor can make you stronger, friendlier – and sexier! Here are some key ideas from the article (quoted): – The concept of laughter as a cure for disease lacks scientific support, but humor may indeed have significant… Continue reading Laughter: A Path to Better Relationships and Less Pain?
Category: Happiness media
Web 2.0 and Happiness
I thought you may find this article interesting: Can happiness be found online? Story Highlights: The ‘Virtual Happiness Project’ in the Netherlands looked at the relationship between Web 2.0 and happiness The findings suggest that blogs and social networks give people a strong sense of belonging, which can be part of happiness It warns, however,… Continue reading Web 2.0 and Happiness
Don’t Dally, Be Happy
Look alive! A new study has found that thinking fast can improve your mood. Princeton and Harvard researchers conducted six experiments requiring participants to briskly whisk through activities such as brainstorming, reading ideas on screen or watching a fast-forwarded film clip. Thinking fast brought participants creativity, elation and, to a lesser extent, a sense of… Continue reading Don’t Dally, Be Happy
Dan Gilbert: Exploring the frontiers of happiness
Dan Gilbert: Exploring the frontiers of happiness About this talk From the TED site: Dan Gilbert presents research and data from his exploration of happiness — sharing some surprising tests and experiments that you can also try on yourself. Watch through to the end for a sparkling Q&A with some familiar TED faces. The take-away… Continue reading Dan Gilbert: Exploring the frontiers of happiness
Does happiness have a price tag?
Benjamin Wallace: Does happiness have a price tag? About this talk From the TED site: Can happiness be bought? To find out, author Benjamin Wallace sampled the world’s most expensive products, including a bottle of 1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc, 8 ounces of Kobe beef and the fabled (notorious) Kopi Luwak coffee. His critique may surprise… Continue reading Does happiness have a price tag?
International Happiness Day
It seems Thursday July 10 has been claimed as International Happiness Day. I figured it was worth coming out of happiness hiatus to tell you about that! The purpose: "To create a focus on individuals and communities choosing Happiness in every moment. It’s a scientific fact: People who experience a preponderance of positive emotions tend… Continue reading International Happiness Day
Right brain or left brain? When it comes to feeling happy, it’s a no brainer
Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight If you have any doubt about the wonderful job our brains do, you’ll be won over by this riveting, disturbing and emotional story from Jill Bolte Taylor, neuroanatomist and stroke survivor. ‘How many brain scientists have the opportunity to study their brains from the inside out?’ she asks.… Continue reading Right brain or left brain? When it comes to feeling happy, it’s a no brainer
Born happy? The link between happiness, personality and genes
A new British study has shed more light on the genes/personality contribution to happiness. Genes may contribute up to 50% of the variance in happiness, and the new research suggests this genetic influence on happiness is essentially conveyed via personality. Researchers using a representative sample of 973 twin pairs found that the heritable differences in… Continue reading Born happy? The link between happiness, personality and genes
Happiness and exercise
Following last week’s bad news about anti-depressants I wanted to bring you some good news too. A research study at Duke University found that a 30-minute brisk walk or jog 3 times a week worked as well as antidepressant drugs in beating depression. OK, so now we know these drugs may be no better than… Continue reading Happiness and exercise
What makes a happy kid?
What makes kids happy? A new iPod? The Wiggles? An industrial-sized pack of M&Ms? A new study by Mark Holder at the University of British Columbia has checked in to the question of childhood happiness. And the findings might not be what you expect. At the bottom of the contributing factors are money, the… Continue reading What makes a happy kid?