Student Question | What Makes You Happy?
April 7, 2016 5:00 am April 7, 2016
5:00 am
What makes you happy?
Have you figured out the things in
life that truly make you happy? Have those things changed as you’ve gotten
older?
In “The Keys to Happiness,” Victoria Shannon reports
on what we know about how to achieve happiness, according to recent research
and expert advice:
Make
Friends and Family a Priority …
One of the longest-running studies on living well and happily emphasizes the importance of your relationships with family, friends and spouses.
One of the longest-running studies on living well and happily emphasizes the importance of your relationships with family, friends and spouses.
…
Especially on Weekends
Busy lives can get in the way of happiness. Our feeling of well-being peaks on weekends, largely because of more time spent with friends and family, this academic says.
Busy lives can get in the way of happiness. Our feeling of well-being peaks on weekends, largely because of more time spent with friends and family, this academic says.
Income
Equality Helps (So Move to Scandinavia)
National unhappiness is strongly associated with a country’s social inequality, research shows. One index finds that Scandinavia, a place with a wide and broad social net, is the location of the world’s happiest countries.
National unhappiness is strongly associated with a country’s social inequality, research shows. One index finds that Scandinavia, a place with a wide and broad social net, is the location of the world’s happiest countries.
Gratitude
Does, Too
Pharrell Williams, the star behind the 2014 hit music video “Happy,” on the happiness phenomenon: ”If you’re grateful, you can find happiness in everything.”
Pharrell Williams, the star behind the 2014 hit music video “Happy,” on the happiness phenomenon: ”If you’re grateful, you can find happiness in everything.”
The
Health Factor
A correlation between happiness and good health has been evident for centuries. But which comes first? Does robust health lead to a good mood or the reverse?
A correlation between happiness and good health has been evident for centuries. But which comes first? Does robust health lead to a good mood or the reverse?
It’s
Really Good for Kids
Happy kids learn faster, think more creatively, tend to be more resilient in the face of failures, have stronger relationships and make friends more easily.
Happy kids learn faster, think more creatively, tend to be more resilient in the face of failures, have stronger relationships and make friends more easily.
Well, most
of them. Fifteen-year-old girls were found to be the unhappiest group in this
report last month on boys and girls.
Don’t
Overdo It
Happiness engineers, chief fun officers, ministers of happiness … there’s evidence that “fungineering” at work might have precisely the opposite effect: making people miserable.
Happiness engineers, chief fun officers, ministers of happiness … there’s evidence that “fungineering” at work might have precisely the opposite effect: making people miserable.
And
Don’t Obsess About It
Four academics discuss whether the pursuit of happiness is an unhealthy preoccupation.
Four academics discuss whether the pursuit of happiness is an unhealthy preoccupation.
If
All Else Fails, Fake It
Can you fake your way to confidence and happiness? You can, if you “just say yes,” advise self-help books by Amy Cuddy and Shonda Rhimes.
Can you fake your way to confidence and happiness? You can, if you “just say yes,” advise self-help books by Amy Cuddy and Shonda Rhimes.
Students: Read the entire article, then tell us:
— What recent moments of happiness
have you experienced, whether large or small? What do you think made them so
satisfying?
— Have you figured out a “magic
formula” for happiness that works for you? What are the ingredients? Do you
think those ingredients will change as you get older?
— Look through the list that Ms.
Shannon compiled? What is your reaction? Did anything surprise you?
The things that have made me happy lately are the new video game I got. Also, I have been doing youtube and I am gaining subscribers which is quite exciting and kid of an achievement. This was satisfying because the new video game gave me a new thing to do on my playstation and to play, and the youtube channel has gotten kind of popular over the past few weeks for a small channel because I am closing in on a milestone I have had for quite some time. Things that make me happy are things I set my mind out to do and accomplish. Doing things like making money and getting specific things I told my self I would get. I am not sure if those ingredients will change since I want to do things that I have my eyes set out on when I get older, also I have so many people who support me it is just up to me to fulfill those goals/ ideas. I think the list she compiled is good because it can really get you thinking about all of the things that people might try and bother you about, when really if you follow here steps and stay huble you should be able to succeed.
ReplyDeletei liked what you wrote alot. your youtube is almost there at 100. s good luck with that.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletelately, i have been happy when i watch YouTube or see my friends. Things that make me happy are things I set my mind out to do and accomplish. Doing things like making money and getting specific things I told my self I would get. I think the list she compiled is good because it can really get you thinking about all of the things that people might try and bother you about, when really if you follow here steps and stay humble you should be able to succeed. Also i have been grounded so i cant see my friends as often, so when i do i appreciate it way more. so i like hanging out with my friends at every chance i get because it makes me happy. it is fun to do that. Also, i have a lot of YouTubers that i watch daily in stead of TV. watching them is funny and it makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good reply. I think you know what makes you happy and you are good with that.
DeleteJames has a good reply, i really do think he understands his own key to happiness!
ReplyDeleteA couple of things have made me happy lately. One thing was our family vacation. We had a lot of fun together in Florida. We usually don't spend too much time together because my mom works, sister is out with her friends , Dad is working on cars and I am usually playing video games. Also on our vacation I got to see some of my family in North Carolina. Since they live far away I don't see them much. Another thing that makes me happy is getting a new video game. I love playing xbox with my friends. When you get a new one it never becomes boring. I think these things make me happy because being with family is always a good thing. Playing video games makes me happy so that is a good thing too. I think I am a still too young to know the " magic formula" to happiness. I know what makes me happy right now but that is right now. I think when I get older the things that make me happy will change. I agree with Ms. Shannon's list. The only one I was shocked with was the last one where she said "If all else fails, fake it." I don't think you can fake happiness. Someone can always tell.
ReplyDeleteTom I am glad you're happy. Also we have to the same things that keeps us happy. You and I both are happy by are family. Also I think you will find your magic formula in the near future. I don't know when that will be but I hope you find it so you will always be happy. Also I agree with Ms.Shannon's list but the last one is wrong , no one should fake their happiness and they should talk about it with other people.
DeleteI'm glad that you're happy. Its great to spend time with your family especially if you haven't seen them in so long. I agree with Ms.Shannon's list but the last part of the list says"If all else fails, fake it". Sometimes people have to fake their happiness because they are stuck and can't find a way out of the darkness so they just have to fake it
DeleteMy most recents moments that I have experienced is when I was in school and talking to my friends. I always talk to my friends and have fun. We always hang out in school and have fun. The only reason why I was happy and having fun is when I was around my friends and family. Once time when I was in school and at lunch we were having so much fun, making jokes and the whole table was laughing and we're so loud. Yes I have found my “magic formula “and that is my friends and family. When I am always around them they make me laugh and make me feels comfortable around everyone. I think when I get older that my friends and family will still be my magic formula because they are the only things in my life that matters right now. I think that when I get older that more things are going to get added to my magic formula like a girl or a new friend or a pet. As I get older more things are going to happen to me. I did look at the list and most of the things on the list are very normal. You know like the weekends or friends and family. So I can relate to the list very well and most things on the list I enjoy. Nothing on the list didn't surprise me at all.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSome recent moments of happiness I’ve experienced were making it in the talent show, getting a 100% on my history test, and my friends. I think making the talent show satisfied me because I love singing, I love performing for people, I’m following my dreams which my mom would’ve wanted, and I love being on stage.When I got the 100% on my history test I got so happy because I actually passed the test all the way and my family would be proud of me also. My friends make really happy because honestly they are the best, they're always there for me, they keep me going, and they always know how to make me laugh or smile. Those were the three recent moments of happiness that i’ve experienced and how they satisfied me. I’ve figured out a “magic formula” for happiness that works for me and the ingredients are to keep a smile, stay laughing, if not happy pretend to be, and try to think of positive things not negative. I don’t think my ingredients are gonna change when I get older because all the time I’m going through tough obstacles so I’m always pretending to be happy plus I’ve had these ingredients since I was in 5th grade. When I looked through the list Ms. Shannon complied my reaction was neutral because everything is basically right.In the article Ms. Shannon said make friends and family a priority especially on weekends because they are so important in your life and will always be there for you. One thing that did surprise me was that she said don’t obsess over your happiness because it's unhealthy.. I believe that’s not always true because sometimes it can be unhealthy where you can stop eating or something but trying to get yourself to be happy is a good thing.Who would want to be sad all the time?
ReplyDeleteThere is one thing that usually makes me happy.. Its a sport.. Its a team sport.. the sport that makes me happy is basketball. Basketball in my opinion the best thing I can do with my friends to have fun while burning a few calories. I see basketball as a fun and easy way to have fun rather than sitting on the couch all day playing video games or watching television. One reason I love basketball is because you need only yourself to play the game or, you can play with teammates. I prefer to have others to play with rather than just playing alone. To me there is not only one word that I can describe basketball. You meet tons of people and you are able to play with your friends for hours without getting one thought of boredom. One thing I love about basketball is that people have many different styles of play. There are styles such as a passer, playmaker, shooter, defensive player, and dunker or highflyer. When you play basketball you feel much more confident and makes you not care much about how others think about you. When I possess the ball in basketball I have the mentality of being the best and no one could stop me. Many people have creative ideas and find new ways to trick the opposing players. Playing Basketball is very entertaining since there are endless ideas you can think of just with a hoop and a basketball. There are many reasons why I love to play the game of Basketball but I also love to watch the game also.
ReplyDeleteBasketball is a great way to get your mind off things and is also a great way to express yourself. It is a sport that can work your whole body. It’s a great pastime for any one and is a great way to bond with family members and friends. I see in my eyes that basketball is very addicting and makes you want to play more and more of it. Basketball is known as a good pastime in many people’s eyes but can also be seen as a passion for many others.
I have experienced many recent events that have made me truly happy. The biggest one for me has to have been getting into the JROTC program. This has brought me so much joy mainly because I like the feeling of belonging to something. The other thing that makes me happy about JROTC is that I want to either be in the military or on the police force when I get older and this program can help me get there. Another thing that makes me happy is that I am going to be able to work this summer. Most people don’t get that excited about working over the summer when they are supposed to be relaxing and getting tanned.The thing, for me, that is so satisfying about being able to take advantage of the JROTC program is that there are not many people who have that opportunity. I think the thing that is satisfying about being able to work this summer is the fact that I am going to be treated as more of an adult than I am now. And, of course, the whole getting paid thing isn't so bad either.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know as though i have found a “magic formula” for happiness that works for me just yet. There are many ways that I know how to stay happy. For example, whenever i listen to music it always makes me a little bit more jubious than i was before. It's just something about the way the composers can make all the different instruments and voices fit together perfectly. The other thing that makes me happy is my family. They always know what to say when i am feeling upset, or even when I'm not. I don't think those two things will ever change, no matter how old I get.
The thing that surprised me the most was when Ms. Shannon stated “if all else fails, fake it.” I believe that you should never have to fake happiness, it should just come naturally. Also, when you're not happy, don't be. We weren't created to be perfectly happy all the time. There are things in today's society that you just can't be happy about, and there's no way to change that.