The true meaning of joy
No one needs any convincing that we’re living in a time of trouble. As I write this letter, our country is in the grip of a third COVID-19 wave, and to make matters worse, violence and looting have erupted, hurting our already frail economy even further. It’s so easy, therefore, to get discouraged about the general state of affairs. I don’t believe it’s healthy to sulk. I decided to read up a bit on what you can and should do to try and maintain a happy state of mind. I am well aware that one should ‘count your blessings’, but that’s often easier said than done and I had to dig a little deeper. I came across a talk by Sonja Lyubomirsky, a researcher of positive psychology, and while I don’t know much about her, her message touched a nerve. She describes true joy as the experience of joy, contentment or positive well-being, coupled by a feeling that your life is good, meaningful and worthwhile. But how do you get there? Lyubomirsky says her research shows that roughly 50% of your happiness is dependent on your genes and a further 10% is determined by your current circumstances. The good news is that you can take responsibility for the remaining 40%.
Happy people are generally healthier, more successful, have better relationships and can handle stress and trauma better. Now that sounds like exactly what many of us need at this time
And so how do we make the most of that solid percentage left to us? Lyubomirsky has a long list of suggestions, but three caught my eye and I realised that this is exactly what we do anyway when we load the car, hitch the caravan and hit the road. • Spend time in nature The closer you are to nature, the greater your experience of positive emotions, zest for life and joy. • Make time to sleep Get your sleep, especially when you’re on a getaway. Leave your watch at home and turn off that alarm clock. Enjoy an afternoon nap if you feel so inclined, without feeling guilty. There’s research that says one extra hour of sleep a night is better for your mood than a pay increase at work. • Get more active As with everything in life, balance is the key. It’s not only about sleep. Get up and go for a walk or ride a bike with the grandkids. Have your heart beat a little faster and get the blood flowing through your veins. Lyubomirsky claims that some exercise is probably the easiest way to get a boost for a happier state of mind. Happy people are generally healthier, more successful, have better relationships and can handle stress and trauma better. Now that sounds like exactly what many of us need at this time. Stay safe!