Happiness: economists want to measure it, researchers want to understand it and we all want it – but is it really what we need?

Happiness is officially big business.

The chairman of the Federal Reserve believes measuring national happiness could be an effective method of tracking economic progress – maybe even as important as inflation or employment statistics. In a video presentation at a conference of economists and statisticians, Ben Bernanke argued it may be the key to understanding the country’s well-being, while being the ultimate goal of all his department’s economic decisions.

He’s far from the first to jump to this conclusion – the country of Bhutan has been tracking GNH (Gross National Happiness) since 1972, as journalist Eric Weiner explores in his hilariously grumpy travelogue The Geography of Bliss. It’s also not the first time Bernanke has mentioned happiness studies – in a May 2010 commencement speech at the University of South Carolina, Bernanke cited research suggesting that beyond a level of wealth that financed our basic needs, there was no correlation between money and happiness.

So, you’re suggesting telling this to America, right now? As Christopher Rugaber notes in his article for AP/NBC News, “you don’t need money to be happy” and it won’t go down terribly well with a nation struggling with a slumped economy and a truly terrifying amount of national debt – all this during the upheaval of a presidential election campaign. Rich people telling poorer people they don’t need money to be happy? Wince.

However, science may be on Bernanke’s side. Recently released results of 4 experiments published in the journal Psychological Science point to a lack of correlation between “socioeconomic status” and well-being, with happiness instead being driven by peer respect and admiration. In short, happiness isn’t about what we have in our pockets, it’s all about who we hang out with. (Could this be the reason for the boom in online social media at a time of global economic strife and its associated mood-dampening effects? One to ponder).

But are we in pursuit of the healthiest thing here? The so-called self-help revolution is all about nailing down a lifestyle that fills our days with joy – but is that what we truly need right now? Writer and blogger Penelope Trunk thinks we’re barking up the wrong tree. In conversation with Dan Schwabel at Forbes, she said:

…people should focus on how interesting their life is. In fact, many people already intuitively aim for interestingness rather than happiness. But they don’t have the language to describe what they are doing. They feel out of step with the rest of the country, maybe, but in fact, they are leading the path to the new American Dream. […] Engagement, fulfillment, continual learning, these are things that feel good. And they are much more attainable than the old-school version of happiness.

Could it be the key to true happiness is unfulfillment?

Further reading: Check out The Happiness Project, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin.

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I’ve stood up in here and proclaimed my love of lists, and the healthy joy of being slightly control-freaky. But it’s all going wrong. We’ve gone all judgemental.

It’s a fact that keeping a food diary (a hastily-jotted list) can help you lose weight. But there’s a better reason for anyone to do it. If you want to really enjoy your food, a food diary points to where your palate might be getting tired. List what you eat, scan back over a week’s worth, decide if you’re happy with that pattern, and plan accordingly. If you’re happy but a little bored with your diet, factor in some new cuisine.

I’m suggesting list-making for self-awareness, not self-improvement – because lists are nasty like that. Lists can suggest we’re incomplete. They can be a way of getting us to do too much, heightening our anxiety and frustration. They can give a false sense of achievement when we ‘tick off’ something by merely skimming its surface because we’re in too much of a hurry. “Achievement” lists are everywhere, from irritating Facebook applications to sites such as Meosphere. Lists pretend to offer nothing but options, but slyly suggest we’re kinda broke until we complete them.

In fact, life isn’t a fully-ticked list – it’s the pen.

So instead, let’s continue making lists, for ourselves and for others – but keep them neutral. Drain their poison. Cork their sting. We have the right to constructively light a little fire under ourselves now and again, and maybe a list is a tool to employ – but generally, that’s not what they’re for.

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Accidentally shot at the age of 9 and paralyzed from the waist down, Chanda Hinton didn’t let her disabilities stop her from participating in activities with friends throughout her school years. But in college, she began to experience chronic pain. The best her physician could do was prescribe narcotic painkillers, which only caused Chanda depression, severe weight loss and substance dependence.

Through the advice of her sister, Chanda tried alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage and dietary changes. She regained her weight and health and her self-esteem improved dramatically. Her own journey to wellness ignited a spark and she decided to help other disabled people access alternative and complementary therapies, as well.

At the age of 26, Chanda started her own nonprofit, the Chanda Plan Foundation, which helps distribute funds to those who need them so they can choose their own complementary health care practitioners. She’s even been lobbying for Medicaid approval of alternative therapies and wants to start an education center for physicians so they, too, can understand just how complementary these alternative therapies can be.

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So they’ve done it again. The folks at Harvard University have managed to distill stress relief into SparkNotes (or Cliffs Notes for those of you over the age of 35). This mini-therapy session will have you seeing the glass half-full in no time and leave that co-pay cash in your pocket to enjoy the holiday season. Whether you have one minute or half an hour, you’ll find ways to ease your day.

Take the sting out of 10 common stressors.

Sometimes just thinking about embarking on a program of stress control can be stressful. Start small and bask in the glow of your successes. Give yourself a week to focus on practical solutions that could help you cope with just one stumbling block or source of stress in your life. Pick a problem, and see if these suggestions work for you.

Frequently late?

Apply time-management principles. Consider your priorities (be sure to include time for yourself) and delegate or discard unnecessary tasks. Map out your day, segment by segment, setting aside time for different tasks, such as writing or phone calls. If you are overly optimistic about travel time, consistently give yourself an extra 15 minutes or more to get to your destinations. If lateness stems from dragging your heels, consider the underlying issue. Are you anxious about what will happen after you get to work or to a social event, for example?

Often angry or irritated?

Consider the weight of cognitive distortions. Are you magnifying a problem, leaping to conclusions, or applying emotional reasoning? Take the time to stop, breathe, reflect, and choose.

Unsure of your ability to do something?

Don’t try to go it alone. If the problem is work, talk to a co-worker or supportive boss. Ask a knowledgeable friend or call the local library or an organization that can supply the information you need. Write down other ways that you might get the answers or skills you need. Turn to tapes, books, or classes, for example, if you need a little tutoring. This works equally well when you’re learning relaxation response techniques, too.

Overextended?

Clear the deck of at least one time-consuming household task. Hire a house-cleaning service, shop for groceries through the Internet, convene a family meeting to consider who can take on certain jobs, or barter with or pay teens for work around the house and yard. Consider what is truly essential and important to you and what might take a backseat right now.

Not enough time for stress relief?

Try mini-relaxations. Or make a commitment to yourself to pare down your schedule for just one week so you can practice the relaxation response every day. Slowing down to pay attention to just one task or pleasure at hand is an excellent method of stress relief.

Feeling unbearably tense?

Try massage, a hot bath, mini-relaxations, a body scan, or a mindful walk. Practically any exercise – a brisk walk, a quick run, a sprint up and down the stairs – will help, too. Done regularly, exercise wards off tension, as do relaxation response techniques.

Frequently feel pessimistic?

Remind yourself of the value of learned optimism: a more joyful life and, quite possibly, better health. Practice deflating cognitive distortions. Rent funny movies and read amusing books. Create a mental list of reasons you have to feel grateful. If the list seems too short, consider beefing up your social network and adding creative, productive, and leisure pursuits to your life.

Upset by conflicts with others?

State your needs or distress directly, avoiding “you always” or “you never” zingers. Say, “I feel ________when you _____.” “I would really appreciate it if you could ______.” “I need some help setting priorities. What needs to be done first and what should I tackle later?” If conflicts are a significant source of distress for you, consider taking a class on assertiveness training.

Worn out or burned out?

Focus on self-nurturing techniques. Carve out time to practice the relaxation response or at least indulge in mini-relaxations. Care for your body by eating good, healthy food and for your heart by seeking out others. Give thought to creative, productive, and leisure activities. Consider your priorities in life: is it worth feeling this way, or is another path open to you? If you want help, consider what kind would be best. Do you want the job taken off your hands? Do you want to do it at a later date? Do you need someone with particular expertise to assist you?

Feeling lonely?

Connect with others. Even little connections – a brief conversation in line at the grocery store, an exchange about local goings-on with a neighbor, a question for a colleague – can help melt the ice within you. It may embolden you, too, to seek more opportunities to connect. Be a volunteer. Attend religious or community functions. Suggest coffee with an acquaintance. Call a friend or relative you miss. Take an interesting class. If social anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression is dampening your desire to reach out, seek help. The world is a kinder, more wondrous place when you share its pleasures and burdens.

Meditation on the go!

Meditation can evoke the relaxation response, and appears to have health benefits as well. It’s also simple to perform. Here’s how to get started:

Choose a mental device to help you focus.

Silently repeat a word, sound, prayer, or phrase (such as “one,” “peace,” “Om,” or “breathing in calm”). You may close your eyes if you like or focus your gaze on an object.

Adopt a passive attitude.

Disregard distracting thoughts or concerns about how well you’re doing. Any time your attention drifts, simply say, “Oh, well” to yourself and return to silently repeating your focus word or phrase.

Now slowly relax your muscles…

Moving your attention gradually from your face to your feet. Breathe easily and naturally while using your focal device for 10 to 20 minutes. After you finish, sit quietly for a minute or so with your eyes closed. Then open your eyes, and wait another minute before standing up.

Try to practice this meditation daily for 10 to 20 minutes, preferably at a specific time each day.

Try a mini-relaxation.

Mini-relaxations can help allay fear and reduce pain while you sit in the dentist’s chair. They’re equally helpful in thwarting stress before an important meeting, while stuck in traffic, or when faced with people or situations that annoy you. Here are a few quick relaxation techniques to try.

When you’ve got 1 minute:

Place your hand just beneath your navel so you can feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly as you breathe. Breathe in slowly. Pause for a count of three. Breathe out. Pause for a count of three. Continue to breathe deeply for one minute, pausing for a count of three after each inhalation and exhalation.

Alternatively, while sitting comfortably, take a few slow deep breaths and quietly repeat to yourself “I am” as you breathe in and “at peace” as you breathe out. Repeat slowly two or three times. Then feel your entire body relax into the support of the chair.

When you’ve got 2 minutes:

Count down slowly from 10 to zero. With each number, take one complete breath, inhaling and exhaling. For example, breathe in deeply saying “10” to yourself. Breathe out slowly. On your next breath, say “nine,” and so on. If you feel lightheaded, count down more slowly to space your breaths further apart. When you reach zero, you should feel more relaxed. If not, go through the exercise again.

When you’ve got 3 minutes:

While sitting down, take a break from whatever you’re doing and check your body for tension. Relax your facial muscles and allow your jaw to fall open slightly. Let your shoulders drop. Let your arms fall to your sides. Allow your hands to loosen so that there are spaces between your fingers. Uncross your legs or ankles. Feel your thighs sink into your chair, letting your legs fall comfortably apart. Feel your shins and calves become heavier and your feet grow roots into the floor. Now breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly.

When you’ve got 5 minutes:

Try self-massage. A combination of strokes works well to relieve muscle tension. Try gentle chops with the edge of your hands or tapping with fingers or cupped palms. Put fingertip pressure on muscle knots. Knead across muscles, and try long, light, gliding strokes. You can apply these strokes to any part of the body that falls easily within your reach. For a short session like this, try focusing on your neck and head.

Start by kneading the muscles at the back of your neck and shoulders. Make a loose fist and drum swiftly up and down the sides and back of your neck. Next, use your thumbs to work tiny circles around the base of your skull. Slowly massage the rest of your scalp with your fingertips. Then tap your fingers against your scalp, moving from the front to the back and then over the sides. Now massage your face. Make a series of tiny circles with your thumbs or fingertips. Pay particular attention to your temples, forehead, and jaw muscles. Use your middle fingers to massage the bridge of your nose and work outward over your eyebrows to your temples. Finally, close your eyes. Cup your hands loosely over your face and inhale and exhale easily for a short while.

When you’ve got 10 minutes:

Try imagery. Start by sitting comfortably in a quiet room. Breathe deeply for a few minutes. Now picture yourself in a place that conjures up good memories. What do you smell – the heavy scent of roses on a hot day, crisp fall air, the wholesome smell of baking bread? What do you hear? Drink in the colors and shapes that surround you. Focus on sensory pleasures: the swoosh of a gentle wind; soft, cool grass tickling your feet; the salty smell and rhythmic beat of the ocean. Passively observe intrusive thoughts, and then gently disengage from them to return to the world you’ve created.

Keep a gratitude journal.

Reflecting on the positive experiences, feelings, and relationships in your life can bring you greater joy. A gratitude journal is a good way to acknowledge the things that brighten your life and help you turn your focus away from negative thoughts and feelings.

Keep a journal by your bed so that at the end of each day, you can spend five to 10 minutes writing about something that you were grateful for in your day. Savor pleasant sights, sounds, and experiences – a sunset, the birds chirping outside your window, a hug from your child, or a call from a friend. Celebrate accomplishments large and small – learning to master a new hobby, doing well on a project at work, or getting the kids off to school on time.

Conjure up the scene in your mind and try to write about it in detail. Then, spend a few minutes soaking in the experience again. You can also use this journal to reflect on things from the past that you are grateful for.

Deflate cognitive distortions.

When you recognize negative thoughts cropping up, take the following steps.

Stop: Consciously call a mental time-out.

Breathe: Take a few deep breaths to help release tension.

Reflect: Ask some hard questions. Is this thought or belief true? Did I jump to a conclusion? What evidence do I actually have? Am I letting negative thoughts balloon? Is there another way to view the situation? What would be the worst that could happen? Does it help me to think this way?

Choose: Decide how to deal with the source of your stress. If distortion is the root of the problem, can you recognize this and let go? Is the problem or constraint a real one or is it one of your mind’s making? If the problem is real, are there practical steps you can take to cope with it? Practicing a mini-relaxation may also help.

Make a worry box.

Everyone gets distracted by worries and concerns, but sometimes these worries can spill over, seeping into the fabric of your day. Having a place to contain your worries – literally – may help you set them aside so that you can focus on the more pleasurable or meaningful parts of your life.

Begin by finding or making a worry box. Any box will do. This is a great exercise for children, but youngsters may find it even more appealing if they can decorate the box as they like and keep it in a special place.

At the end of the day, take a few minutes to write down two or three of your concerns on slips of paper and place them inside the box. Or if the box is handy, you can write down worries as each crops up and drop your worries into the box throughout the day.

The worry box allows you to mentally let go of your worries. Once your worries are deposited in the box, try to turn your attention to other matters.

What you do with your slips of paper is up to you. Some people choose to throw out the notes without reading them again while others benefit from looking through them periodically before tossing them away. In that case, you may be surprised to find that most of your worrying was fruitless; the scenarios you imagined never came to pass.

For more information, check out Harvard’s free stress relief reports.

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