Slow Down, Get Happy

Take it easy -- you'll feel better!

• Happiness
• Depression

Ah, the pursuit of happiness. It's one of our inalienable rights. Capturing happiness, well, that's another matter. A recent Pew Research Center poll confirmed what's been true for a while: Just a third of adults in the United States say they are "very happy," while about half say they're "pretty happy." Who does that leave? Two types of people: miserable wretches and folks who just don't know.

The Pew poll did offer one statistical nugget that may remind more of us how to find bliss: 42 percent of those who say they "almost never feel rushed" (could we please trade places with them for a couple of years?) are very happy. Translation: Take it easy -- you'll feel better.

A second recent survey dug a bit deeper in terms of what brings joy. This poll, from Directions Research, suggested that happiness is highest among adults who dine with friends regularly or frequent the movies.

Yes, it's hard to find time to stop and smell the roses these days (we're all so busy waking up to smell the coffee), but why not round up a few pals for dinner and a trip to the multiplex? Consider it part of the fight for your right to be happy.

From Reader's Digest - August 2006

 

• The Early Bird Catches No Break
• Many Americans begin work between 4:30 and 7:59 a.m. However, early birds have to slither out if they want to leave pre-5 p.m.
• 
• No Day at the Beach
• Are you packing away your vacation days? Here's why it's getting harder to take it easy.
• 
• How to Go Home Earlier
• 4 time-saving tricks to get the upper hand on your late nights.
• 
• Fight the Energy Vampires
• Discover how to safeguard your spirit from 3 common thieves.
• 
• Take a Nap, Get Smart
• Can a quick snooze sharpen your mind?
• 
• 10 Keys to True Happiness
• The best part -- it's well within your reach.
• 
• Defuse Stress for a More Enjoyable Day
• 37 ways to calm down fast.
• 
• De-Stress Your Commute
• 21 tips for a happier journey.
• 
• Take Dr. Rahe's Life Changes Stress Test
• 

• Be Inspired
• Take Our Fun and Short Around the World Survey!
• Help Prevent Teen Car Crashes
• Meet 6 Incredible Individuals
• PLUS:
• Quiz: Match the Celebrity With the Cause

After his marriage broke up, my manager became very philosophical. "I guess it was in our stars," he sighed.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Her astrological sign is the one for earth. Mine is the one for water. Together we made mud."

-- Lori Phillips, Harrison, Arkansas