Secret Prescription of Happiness
If you had to choose one emotion that would never disappear, what would it be? Perhaps many people would choose happiness. Especially in the midst of adversity, pursuing happiness can help us alleviate the painful emotions within and get through difficult times.
Happiness is something that everyone wants, but it is not easily attainable. How can we achieve happiness more easily? Six experts from England, including psychologist and psychotherapist, have launched research named “Turning Adverse Circumstances into Happiness”. 50 volunteers participated in this experiment for three months in order to cultivate the “seed of happiness”.
How to cultivate the “seed of happiness”?
The experts have established 10 secret prescriptions to happiness as follows:
- Growing plants
- Think of at least 5 events which you feel grateful for before sleeping every day
- Talk to the people you like for at least one hour every week
- Ring friends who you have not contacted for a long time and meet them in person
- Try to find some time to unwind every day
- Laugh heartily for at least once a day
- Exercise for half an hour three times a week
- Smile or greet strangers at least once a day
- Reduce half of your time on TV
- Do some good deeds for people around you every day
By making these small changes, you can cultivate you own “seeds of happiness”. Over time, these seeds will surely grow into big trees under the sun.
Adjust your mindset
Indeed, happiness is often a transient mental state, not something eternal. Our feelings will rise and fall with changes in the external environment and events, and this is normal.
If we become overly attached to pursuing “eternal happiness”, we may end up feeling more lost and anxious. Therefore, the most important thing is to cultivate acceptance towards the idea of “happiness is not eternal.” Additionally, we can try to build our sense of satisfaction based on fulfilling our psychological needs, such as a sense of safety and interpersonal connections. This can truly lead us to a more enriching and meaningful life.
If the sunshine is temporarily covered by dark clouds, and you are unhappy and in distress, you are most welcome to call CUHK’s 24-hour Emotional Support Hotline at 5400 2055 or make an appointment for counselling through this website at CUHK Wellness and Counselling Centre.