Time To Get Happy!

Back in October (you know, National Emotional Intelligence Month), I decided to keep you abreast of more of the national and international holidays and observances that relate to stress management. (You can read more about it here.) In keeping with my promise, I'm publicizing a very beneficial observance that begins today. Did you know that November 8-14 is National Pursuit of Happiness Week?

Many of us instinctively think, 'Wow, how cool'. Others think, 'I always want to be happy. Why would I need a 'Week' to remind me to do what comes naturally?' My answer to this is that, while desiring to be happy comes naturally, people don't always know how to successfully pursue happiness--it's sometimes difficult to know what will make us happy. It's also often challenging to actually do what will make us happy if we're so stressed and busy that we rarely take time for ourselves. Hence, I think we need a National Pursuit of Happiness Week, so welcome to it!

Step one is to learn about what factors tend to lead to happiness. In recent years, researchers have come up with a new wave of studies examining the factors that lead to happiness, rather than just focusing on pathology. This can be really helpful for people wanting to bring more happiness into their lives, as happiness can, at first blush, seem elusive, subjective, and fleeting. For example, many people think that money will make them happy, but studies find that, once above the poverty level, those with more money aren't significantly happier than those with less. Many people have worked hard to reach a goal that they think will make them happy, only to feel empty and confused once they reach it. Read about the factors that promote authentic happiness to get a better understanding of what leads to happiness.

After you get a better understanding of what goes into happiness (or even if you skip that step), it's a great idea to examine your own life and see what areas are conducive to happiness and what areas need a little change. This free Happiness Assessment Test can help you do that, and can lead you to resources that will help you organize your life so that happiness is more of a natural by-product.

Still wondering how to be happy (or just want a quicker way than going through steps one and two first)? Here's the condensed version, an article on How To Be Happy, that's sure to put a smile on your face. (Speaking of smiles, it's never the wrong time to celebrate National Smile Day off-season!)

More Happiness Resources from Elizabeth Scott

• Stress Relievers for Happiness

• Shortcuts To Happiness

• Secrets of Happy People

What makes you happy? Share your list in the comments or in the Stress Management Forum!

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