15 pieces of cake? Averil debates happiness on Radio Five Live…
Averil on Radio 5 Live… Do we live on a ‘happiness scale’? Averil was recently a guest on Radio 5 Live, debating on happiness and well-being. With her Leadership hat on, she makes the point that people who are fortunate enough to be able to play to...
Cultivate cheerfulness
“Cheerfulness is like money well expended in charity; the more we dispense of it, the greater our possessions” Victor Hugo. Misery and cynicism can suck you in with little effort. It takes real determination to be cheerful. Make the choice every day about the emotions...
Top 10 happy reading
Out for a run in London this morning a poem, On Westminster Bridge by Wordsworth, came to mind “Earth has not anything to show more fair, dull would he be of soul who could pass by a sight so touching in its majesty…’ Great writers have said wonderful things...
Born yesterday
Positive Psychology developed this question: If you were born yesterday, what would you choose as habits, hang-ups or rituals? Would you continue your old pattern of worries or still be afraid of your own shadow, spiders, public speaking or commitment? Or would you...
See a bright future
The slogan, ‘things can only get better’ was hijacked by politicians, but what other way is there to see life? Embrace the possible. Be interested rather than daunted by new developments in technology, science and food. Imagine the possible. Of course we have problems...
Pass the laugh
A group exercise: the first person laughs, the next person has to laugh bigger, the next bigger still, pass the laugh on and on. Even though it starts off fake, in no time people are weeping and holding their sides, cackling like banshees. Anyone watching is caught up...
It’s not all about you
You usually know what you want in most situations. What acts like social glue is the ability to recognise what other people need and want, too. People are critical to real happiness. Good relations enhance life. Find balance: WIIFM – What’s in it for Me? Know what you...
Cultivate forgetfulness
Optimists tend to have selective perception. (e.g. your partner is pregnant. Suddenly there are pregnant women everywhere, they were always there, they had no significance so you just didn’t notice). Optimists opt to see the good and minimise the time they spend...
De-clutter your brain
Have you seen those house programmes where everything is put out on the lawn. Only what is beautiful or useful gets back in. Consider doing that with your mind. Look at all the time wasting trivia and aims that you give space to. Decide what to recycle and what is for...
Go on a strengths date
We all have strengths which tend to be different from other people’s. They may be creative while you are prudent. They have amazing courage and you are great with people. Find novel activities which combine your strengths. Creativity and prudence might combine to...