The Seven Habit of Happiness from The Pursuit of Happiness site
Caring Although caring can involve volunteering as part of an organized group or club, it can be as simple as reaching out to a colleague or classmate who looks lonely or is struggling with an issue.
Relationships People who have one or more close friendships are happier. What seems to make a difference is how often we cooperate in activities and share our personal feelings with another.
Exercise Regular exercise is associated with improved mental well-being and less depression.
Flow When we are deeply involved in trying to reach a goal, or an activity that is challenging but well suited to our skills, we experience a joyful state called “flow.”
Spiritual Engagement and Meaning Studies demonstrate a close link between spiritual or religious practice and happiness.
Strengths and Virtues Studies show that the happiest people are those that have discovered their unique strengths and virtues and use those for a purpose that is greater than their own personal goals.
Positive Mindset: Optimism and Gratitude Grateful people have been shown to have greater positive emotion, a greater sense of belonging, and lower incidence of depression and stress. Recent research indicates that optimists and pessimists approach problems differently, and their ability to cope successfully with adversity differs as a result.
“The Greater Good” Seven Elements
Gratitude
Altruism
Compassion
Empathy
Forgiveness
Happiness
Mindfulness
Martin Seligman’s Revised Theory of Positive Psychology
Positive emotion
Engagement
Relationships
Meaning and purpose
Accomplishment

Sonja Lyubomirsky: How of Happiness
Do more activities that truly engage you
Savor life’s joys
Learn to forgive
Practice acts of kindness
Nurture relationships
Cultivate optimism
Avoid over-thinking and social comparison
Develop strategies for coping
Count your blessing
Strengthen your spiritual connections
Commit to your goals
Take care of your body
Phillip Zimbardo: Seven Paths to a Meaningful Life
1.
Use time wisely and well: Be mindful of past, present and future, and make time for family, friends and personal fun.
2.
Love a lifetime of learning: do not lose curiosity and wonder
3.
Nurture your passions
4.
Transform shyness into social engagement
5.
Remake your image: don’t be stuck in familiar boring habits
6.
Become a positive deviant: challenge bystander apathy and get involved
7.
Train yourself to become an everyday hero: stand up, speak out, and take action with
compassion and empathy
Connie’s Recommendations
 Gratitude Journal: write 3 things every day for which you are grateful
 Get enough sleep almost every night
 Recognize, enhance, and savor sweet or pleasing experience: hold good things for 10 to 20 seconds
 Spirituality: listen to your heart, prayer, meditation, contemplation, spiritual practice, allowing beauty into your life
 Pay attention to your inner voice, because that is where change will happen
 Obtain and read a daily spiritual guide or affirmations book

QUALITY OF LIFE SITES/RESOURCES http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/seligman.aspx Martin Seligman’s site at the Univ. of Pennsylvania: many tests and questionnaires http://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org free access to clear, concise, information on the history and scientific study of human happiness, positive psychology and mental wellbeing in general http://www.rickhanson.net/writings/just-one-thing Just One Thing” is the free e-newsletter that suggests simple practices each week that will bring you more joy, more peace of mind and heart http://wisdomresearch.org/ University of Chicago: Defining Wisdom with
Compassion, Courage, Science, and Spirit http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/ The Greater Good Science Center studies the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teaches skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society http://www.investigatinghealthyminds.org/ The Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at UW-Madison conducts research on kindness, compassion, forgiveness and mindfulness. http://yourskillfulmeans.com/ 100s of small lessons for daily practice http://www.awakeningjoy.info/index.html On-line course and book, e-materials http://yourskillfulmeans.com/ many links to psychological, meditation, other practices http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/ integrative health and healing http://www.gratefulness.org/ worldwide community of grateful people, with practices and tools for cultivating gratefulness http://learningtoforgive.com http://www.motivationalwellbeing.com/ http://gratitudehabitat.com/ http://www.tesh.com/ http://www.positivelypositive.com
TED Talk: Louie Schwartzberg - Gratitude video