Happiness Acronym from Richard Glass

HAPPINESS ACRONYM – ROCK MEN FC!

Adapted from Lord Layard, economist. Following on the work of Martin Seligman (founder of positive psychology in 1998), Layard summed up personal wellbeing/happiness into nine areas. These can be closely monitored.

R – Relationships – keep these in good repair

O – Others – think of doing things for others, not yourself

C – Count your blessings. Everyday count three things that you’ve done that are worthwhile (before going to sleep)

K - ‘Know thyself: to find yourself, think for yourself’ (Socrates). Find what your really LOVE doing and don’t stop until you have (Steve Jobs). (see FLOW)

M – Meaning and Values Matter. Most crucially it’s your Attitude that matters: nothing more – nothing less.

E – Exercise. Regularly exercise and you’ll feel a lot better for it.

N – New. Do something new everyday. Preferably something that is Risky too!

F –FLOW. Be completely committed and focussed on what you’re doing – whatever it is, get into the ZONE (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi [pronounced ‘MEE-hy CHEEK-sent-ma-HY-ee]). And FINISH things. There is nothing more satisfying than actually finishing things – preferably before time.

C – Control. People are more successful, and live longer, when they feel they are in control of their lives.

Excitement builds for what is going to come out of Friday and Saturday's training

The Hastings & St Leonards Observer from Friday

This article, from page 17 has been transcribed as follows:
Group is aiming to get Hastings smiling again

An upbeat community group is on a mission to turn the town's frowns upside-down.

The Action for Happiness (AFH) organisation based at the Southwater Centre, Stainsby Street, St Leonards, is determined to make Hastings a happier place to live and is half way through its Good Week scheme.

This has included talks, workshops and complementary health sessions and seen members handing out happiness hints to commuters at St Leonards Warrior Square train station.

Paul Crosland, who heads the group, said "We are concerned that a lot of people -ourselves included - lose track of what is important in life and do not get information about how to stay on an even keel in the turbulence of modern society. Despite all the technology and resources we have, society is less happy than it was"

The AFH programme is based on scientific studies which have identified five key factors that can boost people's happiness -connecting with other people, being active and healthy, learning new skills, giving to others and taking note of the good things in their lives.

These tips have been shared with train passengers every morning this week and Mr Crosland found the range of responses quite revealing. He said:

Some people have said it is wonderful and just what Hastings and St Leonards needs to lift its mood but we have had the occasional person tell us they are not interested in happiness. Some people approach happiness from a body and mind point of view, some think it is about changing things politically and economically and some have a spiritual way in, and we want to bring all these groups together.

The Good Week events continue today (Friday) and tomorrow with film screenings, stress-busting sessions and talks on the group's aims but long-term Mr Crosland hopes they can build on this week's achievements. They are offering Happiness 101 sessions in residents' homes and they want to reach out to professions that work with the public on a regular basis like taxi drivers and hairdressers.

"When those in frequent sustained contact with members of the public have more knowledge of how people can be happier and talk about it, we believe that wellbeing will spread quicker", Mr Crosland said.
Visit actionforhastingshappiness.blogspot.com for more information about the scheme.