HAPPINESS: How Positive Psychology Changes Our Lives

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Thriving Moms, Happy Families
Mary Ellen P. Riley
WHISK TOGETHER.COM
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• Recognize setting goals leads to happier people.
• Our thoughts and words effect our happiness.
• The importance of staying focused on the goal of
  happiness.
• Happy people are smarter and more creative.
• Happy people have more stable and happy
  marriages.
• Happy people make more money.
• Happy people are healthier and live longer.

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I'm a Millionaire! -Emeals.com -Molly
Maids -Green Envy Lawn Care -Babysitting Swap
In the middle of difficulty lies
opportunity.Albert Einstein
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The Nun Study (Danner et al., 2001)

• Only positive feelings predicted longevity
• Age 85 90 of most cheerful quartile alive
  34 of least cheerful quartile alive.
• Age 94 54 of most cheerful quartile alive
  11 of least cheerful quartile alive

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• Suggested goal 3 5 things you can try.

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• As a goal, try to secretly serve someone each
  day.
• Write an anonymous thank you note to someone you
  admire.
• Pick up trash along a trail or road.
• Look for a chance to serve in a group.
• Write about your service in your diary.

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• Many studies demonstrate that people who smile
  more are better liked.
• Practice giving sincere compliments as you smile.
• Put a pencil in your teeth and keep your lips
  from touching it, then watch a comedy that
  isnt really funny ( e.g., Friends).
• It will seem much funnier to you.

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Optimism vs. Pessimism

• Erik Giltay in Holland followed 999 older men and
  women for ten years
• The upper third in optimism had half the heart
  attacks of the bottom third!

Giltay, E.J., Geleijnse, J.M., Aitman, F.G.,
Hoekstra, T., Schouten, E.,G. (2004).
Dispositional optimism and all-cause and
cardiovascular mortality in an elderly cohort of
Dutch men and women. Archives of General
Psychiatry, 61, 1126-1135.
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• Optimism in women reduced the risk of breast
  cancer by 25
• Children exposed to excessive levels of stress
  before age 12 have 30 higher chance of
  developing cancer as an adult

Peled, R. (2008) Breast Cancer, Psychological
Distress and Life Events among Young Women. BMC
Cancer (8245)
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http//pewresearch.org/pubs/301/are-we-happy-yet
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• Your hopes and dreams are within your reach.
• If you dream it you can do it!
• Invest in Good social relationships
• Optimism. Self-Confidence.
• Wait long enough, and people will surprise you
  and impress you.