Think you have better things to do with your time than be happy or think about happiness or learn how to be happy?
Wondering why Harvard Business Review devoted a cover and many pages to the topic of happiness in January? Do you think they are losing it?
They have a clue.
If you don’t have one yet you are missing out.
You’re missing out on being your best. You’re missing out on being in the best health you can be in. You’re missing out on having getting and giving the best you can from your current relationships. Your missing out on a lot of success. You’re missing out on more healthy years at the end of your life and it is likely you are missing out on some years, too. You’re not making the best decisions you could make. You are not living up to your potential; not even close.
Scientists across many disciplines have been very busy conducting exacting research into happiness over the last two decades. For most of that time the results were tucked away in obscure and expensive scientific journals but the lid has blown off now.
Happiness, defined as a deep sense of inner stability, peace, well-being, and vitality that is consistent and sustainable, provides seemingly infinite benefits.
Just a few highlights are listed below.
Health Benefits
50% reduction in risk of cardiovascular disease
Protective against some cancers
Slows progress of disease
Improves immune system function
There is lots more ~ everything from colds & flu to diabetes, HBP and Alzheimers
Greater increase in longevity than from quitting smoking
Relationship Benefits
Relationships are more loving, deeper, less drama and turmoil, warmer, more supportive
Behavioral Benefits
More likely to make good decisions
Crimes, substance abuse and even teen pregnancy decline with increased happiness
Exercise, adequate sleep and good nutrition choices are more likely to be made
Intelligence and Creativity
Actually increase as happiness increases
Employer Benefits
Lower Absenteeism
Lower turnover
Increased productivity
Improved corporate citizenship
Lower health care costs
Now that you understand that happiness is not a fluffy, nice to have what are you going to do about it?
Let’s be clear. The absence of negative emotions is not happiness. The presence of somewhat chronic positive emotions is necessary to reap the benfits.
Are you there yet?
We know that just telling you to be positive is a waste of words. It takes a combination of knowledge and skills to get on the path and follow it.
Want to know the path?
Our classes are the best available to increase happiness, optimism, emotional intelligence, resilience, self mastery, well-being and improve relationships. A masterful combination of information that helps students have a clearer perspective about topics such as their own beliefs and the impact of current emotional state on behavior is utilized. The course includes more than 50 processes, many evidence based skills, to help students deliberately impact their emotional state and develop new habits of thought that are more beneficial to thriving.
We have continuously searched for new information across many disciplines including positive psychology, neuroscience, resilience, sociology, emotional intelligence, quantum physics, psychoneuroimmunology, and behavioral science over many years.
Are you ready to give up being right (about happiness being a fluffy topic) and reap the benefits of new knowledge? Give yourself credit for your ability to learn something new. Celebrate that you now know something you did not know before. Revel in the fact that you live now when the benefits of happiness are becoming known.