Lessons in happiness

HERE ARE FOUR HANDY HAPPINESS LIFE LESSONS FOR PARENTS AND KIDS, ACCORDING TO KIDSPOT.COM.AU

A HAPPY CHILDHOOD’S LONG-LASTING EFFECTS

Here, Waldinger is not referring to giving in to your child when they demand ice cream for dinner. He means taking time to develop a strong and secure relationship with your child. This reflects what we understand about attachment theory; that a strong bond with a caregiver is critical to a child’s development.

A HARD CHILDHOOD CAN BE OVERCOME

Not everyone has the luck or luxury to enjoy a stable childhood. Many will grow up in dysfunctional families or in homes where there is financial instability. Waldinger says this can be overcome. It’s overcome by finding a way to invest in the next generation. By that, Waldinger means becoming a parent, mentoring a young

FIND A WAY TO COPE WITH STRESS

Stress is an insidious beast. While at first it may seem like an emotional response to a situation, it is also a physical response with long-term health consequences if left unchecked. Positive stress-busting techniques such as relaxation techniques, getting more sleep and taking up activities that work against the stress factors in your life will help you find and retain a sense of happiness.

SPEND TIME WITH OTHERS

Robert Waldinger’s final happiness life lesson centres around the importance of relationships. It’s also a key component of his 2015 TEDx Talk. A consistent finding of the Harvard Study of Adult Development is that good relationships are a huge factor in longterm health. Spending time with others is important for happiness. Loneliness has been shown to have a detrimental affect on long-term health.