"Happy" "Positive" Life: What is the Point?

I can tell you firsthand how I arrived at this epiphany of developing a lifestyle of having more happy days. After 30 years as a public school educator slash administrator, I was exhausted. I complained daily. My very patient husband listened to my moans and groans regularly. It saddens me to report this, but it was a constant gripe session. 

In my honest opinion, the workload, bureaucracy, behavior concerns, lack of parent involvement, and pure exhaustion of balancing it all, lead me to a breaking point. I was such an energy vampire. Life at that time was an uphill battle. My health was affected by this constant stress and frustration. I needed to do something different. Otherwise, my life was in jeopardy. Finally, it was the doctor's metrics that helped me to realize I must change my outlook on life.

I am sharing my testimonial because it gives a story as to why I decided to do something different. I tried multiple mental health activities, self-help strategies, and mindfulness endeavors. I read Jon Gordon's books. I searched Youtube videos and listen to positive affirmations. I even researched positive motivational speakers like Les Brown, Oprah Winfrey, and Inky Johnson. I was on a quest of finding ways to shift my Negative Nancy attitude into a Positive Patsy attitude. It was the unending searching that lead me to I must be more positive and happy.

Happier people have more stable marriages, stronger immune systems, higher incomes, and more creative ideas than their less happy peers (Lyubomirsky, King, & Diener, 2005). There are tons of research, books, blogs, and testimonials that support this phenomenon of happiness and positivity-mindedness can keep you less stressed. Our overall health is physically and mentally better off from living a happier life. 

I believe I have made the point clearer. People that engage in positive intentional activities, such as thinking gratefully, optimistically, or mindfully, became significantly happier (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009). This is a lifestyle change. I would even say, it is something purposefully planned out. Almost like a prescribed medicine taken daily. Plan for your happiness and positive thinking. As strange as it may feel, the benefits are research-proven.

Dr. Stredic, EdD

Author of Metamorphosis Through Life: Quotes and Affirmations (barnesandnoble.com)

Facebook (DrLatonyaStredic) Instagram (@DrStredic20) Twitter (@DrStredic)

References

Lyubomirsky, Sonja, and Kristin Layous. "How do simple positive activities increase well-being?." Current directions in psychological science 22.1 (2013): 57-62.

Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., & Diener, E. (2005). The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin, 131, 803–855.

Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9, 111–131.

Sin, N. L., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2009). Enhancing well-being and alleviating depressive symptoms with positive psychology interventions: A practice friendly meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 65, 467–487