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So how are you feeling, really?
Specially for Friday, we thought you might like to check out the
conclusions of a recent report on the Pyschology of Happiness, written
rather unusually by the Global Equity Stategy team at DKW
in the City.
Pleasingly, even the chaps in the City agree that if money is most
important to you then you are unlikely to be happy. Instead, this
is their top ten list for improving happiness:
1) Don’t equate happiness with money - People adapt to income
shifts relatively quickly, the long lasting benefits are essentially
zero.
2) Exercise regularly - Regular exercise is an effective cure
for mild depression and anxiety. It also stimulates more energy,
and is good for the mind and body.
3) Have sex - Preferably with someone you love...
4) Devote time and effort to close relationships - Confiding
and discussing problems and issues is good for happiness, so work
on these relationships.
5) Pause for reflection, meditate on the good things in life
- Focusing on the good aspects of life helps to prevent 'hedonic
adaptation' (which means we are very good at quickly assimilating
our current position, and then judging it as normal, hence only
changes from our "normal" level get noticed)
6) Seek work that engages your skills, look to
enjoy your job - Doing well at work creates happiness, and the
easiest way of doing well at work, is doing a job you enjoy.
7) Give your body the sleep it needs - Too
many people have a sleep deficit, resulting in fatigue, gloomy moods
and lack of concentration.
8) Don’t pursue happiness for its own sake, enjoy the moment
- Because people don’t understand what makes them happy, pursuing
happiness can be self-defeating. Additionally, if people start to
aim for happiness they are doing activities for happiness’s sake
rather than actually enjoying the activity itself.
9) Take control of your life, set yourself achievable goals -
People are happiest when they achieve their aims, so set yourself
goals which stretch you, but are achievable.
10) Remember to follow rules 1-9 - Following these guidelines
sounds easy, but actually requires willpower and effort.
They could also have added - release this report on the day after
England have won 3-0 at football. :-)
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