Positive thoughts count down to xmas 8

 Are you happy? This is an interesting question at this time of year; the stock and short answer is yes. Are you happy most of the time or just sometimes is another question that could be asked? There is a ‘Set Point’ theory of happiness and well-being that assumes we each have a fixed ‘average’ level of happiness around which our day-to-day and moment-to-moment happiness varies.

We express our level of happiness through our temperament, mood, and emotion. The set point theory relies on the idea that when our natural temperament is stable, we will have slowly moving moods, but with momentary changes in experienced emotions.

Set Point theory showed that people who won the lottery, after the initial euphoria has died down, are no happier than people with spinal cord injuries. A question that this theory brings up is whether it is possible to get any happier, or whether we are just stuck with the happiness we are born with and that some people will always be more naturally cheerful than others. It seems a rather fatalistic position to take. Genetic studies show that there is a significant degree of inheritance in many personality factors. This implies that the Set Point may not make up all of a person’s happiness, but only a part of it.

The notion of a happiness set point suggests that we are limited to an “inborn” level of happiness that’s not likely to change much no matter what happens in life. This is good news if you are on the cheerful end of the spectrum. Not so good if you tend to be gloomy. But is it really true?

Let’s see how these studies are typically designed. It’s obvious “measuring” happiness can never be as precise as weighing in on a scale. The problem is happiness research depends on subjective self-assessments. “On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy do you think you are compared to other people?” “Do you laugh a lot?” That sort of thing. Such surveys can show what a person believes about themselves, but they don’t really prove anything. 

Simple Ways to Raise Your Happiness Set Point

Simply try to choose mindfulness. Focus on solutions instead of problems. Accept the situation, look at the choices available, and take some action.  Even baby steps help.

Make happiness your number-one goal. Don’t believe every negative thought you have. Your brain is wired to pay more attention to whatever it perceives as threatening your survival. Ask yourself if what you are ruminating about is actually life-threatening. Is it even helpful? If not, gently refocus your mind on something positive–or better yet, something that makes you laugh. Even better, laugh at yourself.

Linger on those little, positive moments. Develop a positive explanatory style. Optimists are happier and optimism can be learned.

Practice gratitude. Look for the tiny things you usually take for granted and feel appreciation for them. Aren’t you thankful for hot running water? A car that starts. Your pillow. Your next breath. Of course, you are!

Take good care of your body. Get plenty of rest, healthy food, and exercise. What’s good for your body is good for your brain.

Cultivate healthy relationships. Don’t put off calling a friend. Make it a point to spend quality time with people you love. Don’t gossip!

Smile your way to happiness and practice random acts of kindness. It’s amazing how much better you feel when you make someone else feel better. Make a positive difference in someone’s life today. Let yourself be happy. Smiles and hugs Yes! There is a way to choose to become a happier person.

However, these are just suggestions. There are lots of other ways things you can try to raise the set point of your happiness and this is the time of year to start. What are other ways you might raise your happiness set point?