How to Be Happier: 5 Key Strengths
Patsi Krakoff
Why do some people always seem happy, and others not? Is it
really a question of life circumstances? Are they happy because
their life is better, because they have more luck, and they
just don't have as many worries and upsets?
Or is it more a question of disposition, their nature, and
character? Could it be that some people are genetically wired
to be happy no matter what?
People who are highly satisfied with their lives are less
likely to have psychological or social problems, less likely to
get sick or be stressed out, and more likely to do well at work.
Hard-wired for Happiness?
Current research reveals that mood and temperament have a large
genetic component. In a 1996 study, University of Minnesota
psychologists David Lykken and Auke Tellegen surveyed 732 pairs
of identical twins and found them closely matched for adult
happiness, regardless of whether they'd grown up together or
apart. Such findings suggest that while we all experience ups
and downs, our moods revolve around the emotional baselines or
"set points" we're born with.
But even if we have an inherited range of happiness, are there
some tools that we can learn in order to become happier and
more satisfied with life?
Scientists have been studying what makes people happy for
several decades now, however, the internet has made possible
even more studies, as people all over the world can access
and complete surveys. Many surveys can be found for free at
http://www.authentichappiness.org.
Positive psychology researchers Dr. Nansook Park, Dr. Christopher
Peterson and Dr. Martin Seligman have been studying 24 character
strengths in depth, and are looking at the role of individual
strengths in creating subjective feelings of happiness.
Five Key Strengths
A study with more than 4000 participants revealed that five key
strengths-gratitude, optimism, zest, curiosity, and the ability
to love and be loved- are more closely and consistently related
to life satisfaction than the other strengths.
A very compelling reason to give special attention to these
five key strengths is that each strength on the list is, by
definition, mutable and can be learned. We can all become more
grateful, optimistic, zestful, curious, and loving if we are
willing to make a concerted effort to do so.
Coaching for Happiness
Online happiness surveys can create self-awareness and enhance
your ability to experience more happiness and life satisfaction.
Even more effective is using these tools with a professional
coach. Your coach can help you to develop gratitude, and
awareness of strengths. With your coach, you can discover
ways to effectively use your strengths in new ways.
These three keys are essential tools in achieving lasting
happiness, and ultimately greater health and life success.
Patsi Krakoff, Psy. D., CBC, is a psychologist, executive coach, and writer. She customizes newsletters for life and executive coaches, providing both content and PDF and HTML ezines for busy professionals. Other articles can be viewed at http://www.customizednewsletters.com. Patsi lives and works from Ajijic, Mexico where she plays tennis daily, and enjoys other creative activities with her husband Rob and two Maine Coon cats, Huey and Dewey.
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