October 2009

When two apparently similar people face the same challenge, why does one appear happier and more resilient while the other finds it hard to cope? This is a question psychologists have been turning their attention to since Martin Seligman founded the happiness focused School of Positive...

No pain, no gain applies to happiness, too, according to new research published online this week in the Journal of Happiness Studies. People who work hard at improving a skill or ability, such as mastering a math problem or learning to drive, may experience stress...

_ã–You can_ã_t be grateful and not be happy._㝠Speaking was Robert A. Emmons, a UC Davis professor of psychology. We were sitting at a table in Selvester_ã_s Cafê© by the Creek at Chico State. _ã–Gratefulness is a sure route to happiness,_㝠he added. Emmons, the university_ã_s President_ã_s...

Retired 80-year-olds can often have double the social interaction of their 50-year-old counterparts. This supports research that happiness increases with age because social interaction stimulates your brain to release _ã–feel good_㝠chemicals like norepinephrine, which leads to contentment. To read more about happiness in retirement -...

This is the Happiness Hat. It detects whether or not you're smiling. If you aren't, it jabs you in the back of the head with a metal spike. Nothing makes people happier than sharp skull pain! I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry about this...

I've just finished Bright-Sided, writer Barbara Ehrenreich's new book slamming the _ã–relentless promotion of positive thinking_㝠in America. Ms. Ehrenreich, whose 2001 bestseller Nickel and Dimed memorably etched the often futile daily lives of the working poor, has a stiletto-sharp mind and a capacious social...

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's good to know that science now has evidence that an attitude of gratitude not only feels great, but has a healing effect on the body, especially the heart, mind and spirit. This is the message Dr. Robert Emmons,...