"Happiness, not for another place, but this place…not for another hour, but this hour." - Walt Whitman
As we enjoy the long awaited renewal of spring, this is a good time to consider where you might open to a new season in your life. Spring is the season that wakes us up to pleasure and joy as all of nature teaches us about renewal and growth.
Are you always on the go, getting things done, speeding through life and moving from one project to another? Are you focused more on the future rather than the present? Are you determined that happiness will be in the days ahead once you complete your degree, a specific task, lose weight, become healthier, get a promotion?
Where do you need to wake up, slow down, stop and breathe in happiness?
Rebecca Scritchfield writes in her book Body Kindness about the life enhancing benefits of having fun on a regular basis. “Fun is like a body kindness vitamin you take to boost your mood and lift your spirit.” There are big events in our lives that we anticipate with excitement and hope. These might be seen as “big fun”. When you begin noticing the fun in your everyday life, you begin to be more mindful of other positive things in your day. Scritchfield writes that “when you savor the good, you spiral up in energy and emotion and boost your happiness. I think of this as ‘little fun’ because it’s practically effortless and easily accessible to you every day.” Are you overlooking little pockets of pleasure that can change the color of your day and mood?
Multiple studies cite that happiness increases when we focus on maintaining good relationships with family and friends, take care of ourselves physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially; focus on experiences rather than “stuff”, and being helpful to the community around us. Harvard Professor and Psychologist Daniel Gilbert, in his book Stumbling on Happiness; advises that people become “wise shoppers” when in search of happiness. Though the research shows that relationships, health, and experiences increase happiness; most people sacrifice those in pursuit of more money and more things.
As Spring advances, perhaps we too can awaken to what will increase our happiness this day. If stress or worry or preoccupation is weighing you down, this might be an excellent time to discover ways to decrease all of that and increase what is meaningful. What can you experience today that will increase your happiness? What relationship can you strengthen today? How can you increase your health this day? There are small victories that we can add into our day that will result in more joy. Can you connect with a coworker; have a conversation with a stranger; really look at the blossoming trees on your commute into work; call a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while; walk outside during your break; take your children for an unexpected trip to the park?
If you would like to talk about increasing your happiness and slowing your pace, call Methodist Healthcare EAP at 901-683-5658 to schedule a confidential appointment. EAP is available to you and members of your household.
Susan Erdman has a master's degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. She has worked as an EAP counselor since the 1990s. Before her work in the EAP, she was a mental health specialist at Methodist University Hospital in the eating disorder and dual diagnosis programs.