S&S PROMPT: PSYCHOLOGY INSPIRED POETRY
Happiness Practices
Scikus inspired by Science of Happiness
Mindful Monday focus Breathe, pause and then repeat Take a moment today
Gratitude Tuesday Appreciate kindness & love Give thanks for blessings.
Wellness Wednesday act Compassion starts with selfcare Good sleep, special treats
Thoughtful Thursday seeks Giving to others = endorphins Ready, able, Go!
Freedom Friday posits Authenticity + forgiveness Practice letting go.
Social Saturday Nature, people connection Walk and talk today
Soulful Sunday bliss No wants or chases, just meaning Enjoy grace-filled flow
Just like spring flowers Happiness practice bouquet Sundays above all
Tell me — what about you?
The pursuit of happiness holds a special position in the American psyche — beginning with the Declaration of Independence, where it is promised as a cherished right for all citizens to almost every aspect of our collective social context with questions such as “Are you having fun” to “Are you Happy?. Needless to say, today, perhaps globally, a majority of us spend at least some of our waking hours thinking about happiness daily and that it is important to our sense of well-being.
Given that International Day of Happiness is on March 20th, this year — let us take a look at happiness as a skill — one that can be cultivated or perhaps a practice that can be learned with effort, that grows over a lifetime and is shaped by the rewarding virtues and habits of character.
Happiness is certainly a practice that benefits from taking small behavioral steps consistently. The human brain is constantly being re-wired through positive and negative reinforcements, and before we know it, behaviors become a habit — almost automatic, so much so that we hardly even think about doing them.
Scientific research has increasingly confirmed that through intentional practices, we can actually change our brain's neural pathways to become happier. In fact, according to Project Happiness, a global effort started by the award-winning author Randy Taran, approximately 40% of our happiness can be influenced by intentional thoughts and actions, leading to life-changing habits.
The science is strong and the need is compelling. It’s exciting that we can now give those who need it most the tools to take charge of their own happiness, to become more aware, emotionally resilient, and develop the skills to navigate whatever life presents. Happiness, like all emotions, is contagious; for ourselves and generations to come, let’s create a world where everyone can thrive. Source: Project Happiness
In response to the COVID pandemic, this year, the International Day of Happiness is working with the theme of ‘Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind’. It turns out that research shows there are simple things intentionally practiced daily that can improve felt happiness even during challenging times like the COVID pandemic. Here’re some suggestions offered by Action for Happiness :
Keep calm : There are lots of things outside our control. Remember to breathe and focus on what really matters so we can respond constructively.
Stay wise. Making wise choices helps everyone. Let’s choose positive actions that support our well-being and help others to do the same.
Be kind. We’re all in this together, even when we’re forced apart. Let’s stay connected and reach out to help others who may be in need.
As we face an ongoing global crisis together, here’s hoping that the International Day of Happiness gives us a chance to pause and find uplifting and positive ways to look after ourselves and each other.
Finally, this poem highlights seven science-backed happiness practices spread out over as days of a week — I hope you will try them and perhaps experiment with what your happiness practices could be — and it’ll make us quite happy indeed if you shared them with us :)
Thank you for reading.
*This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.
**This story is part of the S&S Prompt series — science-inspired prompts to get you inspired — Our dear readers — have a little fun exercising your artistic creativity and write a science-inspired story — the format is entirely up to you — haiku, sciku, limerick, poetry, prose, painting, etc. — if you do — feel free to publish it anywhere on medium, just tag it with #SnSPrompt.
***Tagging some of the frequent S&S writers — Laura Griffith Machado, PsyD Lynn E. O’Connor, Ph.D. Synthia S. Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) ASeiler Dr. Marina Harris John Levin ScienceDuuude Melissa Gouty Dr. Fatima Imam Dr. Jackie Greenwood Louis Dennis Adelia Ritchie, Ph.D. Shin Jie Yong Dr. Preeti Singh K. Barrett Cooking at Home Jazz Parks Skanda Vivek Jenine Bsharah Baines Swati Suman Alberto García 🚀🚀🚀 Squeeze the Avocado Tara Desai and anyone else who feels inspired to follow and/or play along with this fun #SnSPrompt: Science related to “happiness practices” or simply a story about your happiness practices(e.g., news article, random facts, funny meme on social media) or even a story about your favorite day of the week.
For a related story :
Or this squirrelly story lifting spirits :
