Author Archives: phyllis
Women and Friendship: Emotional Support
You probably don’t need proof that the emotional support you get from friends is vital, but here it is. Ten years ago a UCLA study proposed that a cascade of brain chemicals released when we’re stressed causes us to seek out other women. This ‘tend and befriend’ notion, developed by psychologists Drs. Shelley Taylor, Laura Klein and their associates, may explain why social ties reduce our risk of disease and help us live longer. Friends also help us live better. Research about coping after the loss of a partner indicates … Continue reading
Happiness in the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan
As we mentioned earlier in the week, it was the monarch of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan who first defined the concept of Gross National Happiness. But what is the Bhutanese formula for happiness? Like many psychological and social indicators, GNH is easier to describe than to define with statistical precision. However, the Bhutanese people seem to know that happiness is multi-dimensional. Learn more on Bhutan’s official website. The country is Buddhist and has a matriarchal system, very few cars, no branding in the shops, a single television station and … Continue reading
Sandwiched Boomers Can be Happier
Are you a Sandwiched Boomer managing the challenges of parents growing older and kids growing up? If so – especially in these difficult economic times – you may be more focused on reducing stress than increasing happiness. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The tips that follow are mainly about tweaking your attitude. Try them on, as they don’t take much time and are easy to implement: Become aware of what brings you joy. Set aside time to experience and acknowledge your gratitude. Research participants were asked to … Continue reading
Creating Happiness
It has been over ten years since I retired from my fulltime practice and spent three months doing volunteer work and traveling in Southeast Asia. The best part of my trip was spending time in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. It was their monarch who defined the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) to measure quality of life. And Bhutan is the only country in the world that puts happiness and general well-being at the heart of its government policy. Read this article in Business Week and find out … Continue reading
