Yesterday evening we saw “Happiness”, an excellent PBS special.
Dr. Tal Ben Shabar is a Harvard professor teaching class about happiness. His thesis of ingredients for a happy life includes:
1. Simplification of life. The many choices that we have bring confusion and chaos. He proposes that we ought to simplify our life with simple pleasures; perform less multi-tasking activities; take time out to recover from stress.
2. Positive acceptance. This is not passivity. Positive acceptance means to make choice based upon available information; learning from mistakes and move on.
3. Exercise. Referenced many medical studies, Tal Ben Shabar posits that regular physical exercise reduces stress, disease risks, … which will lead to a happier, healthier life.
4. Happiness can be learned.
5. Mindful meditation. The simplest daily exercise is the deep breathing method. More advanced mindful meditation will further relaxation, stress-reduction and many other benefits.
6. Focus on the positives. An attitude of gratitude concentrating upon all the good things in our life is an important element for a happy life.
Tal Ben Shabar has written several best-sellers including “Happier” and “Pursuit of Perfect”.
