Have a look at the 12 “Happiness Activities” below and the 10 “LifeSkills” (aka stress relief or stress management exercises) below. I hope they’ll give you some good ideas for greater happiness in your life and ways to reduce your stress levels.
Sonja Lyubomirsky describes “Happiness Activities” inThe How of Happiness: A scientific approach to getting the life you want(released in 2008 by Penguin Press). The “LifeSkills” are covered in detail inStress Free for Goodby Fred Luskin (published in 2005 by HarperCollins). Fred Luskin worked on his ideas at Stanford University School of Medicine, Sonja Lyubomirsky at University of California, Riverside. We highly recommend both books.
Contrast and Compare: Happiness Activities versus Stress Management Techniques aka LifeSkills
I’m not really suggesting a writing assignment, that was a joke. However, in all seriousness, I would love to hear from you about your impressions. For example, I would like to know, if a blog gave instructions, would you be likely to implement any of these on your own? Which exercises do you like the sound of best? Are you more likely to try a “Happiness Activity” or a “LifeSkill?” Would you rather call it a stress-reduction exercise or stress-management technique or something else?
Twelve “Happiness” activities from The How of Happiness:
“Expressing Gratitude,”
“Cultivating Optimism,”
“Avoiding Overthinking and Social Comparison,”
“Practicing Acts of Kindness,”
“Nurturing Social Relationships,”
“Developing Strategies for Coping,”
“Learning to Forgive,”
“Increasing Flow Experiences,”
“Savoring Life’s Joys,”
“Committing to Your Goals,”
“Practicing Religion and Spirituality,”
“Taking Care of Your Body (Meditation…Physical Activity… [and] Acting Like a Happy Person).”
Ten LifeSkills from Stress Free for Good:
“Breathe from Your Belly,”
“So Much to Appreciate,”
“Tense to Relax,”
“Visualize Success,”
“Slow Down,”
“Appreciate Yourself,”
“Smile Because You Care,”
“Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work,”
“Just Say No,”
“Accept What You Cannot Change,”
“No Time Like the Present.”
Both sets have a lot in common. My guess is that you would get very similar results over time, no matter whether you practiced your three best fitting Happiness Activities or a few LifeSkills on a regular basis.
What’s your opinion or experience? Looking forward to hearing from you!