International Day of Happiness is celebrated each March 20th “to recognize the importance of well-being and happiness in the lives of people and to promote the idea that policy objectives should strive for a more inclusive equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all […]
Have you ever heard of forest therapy or forest bathing? Do you know anything about phytoncides? These are all about making you healthier in an incredibly simple way. Forest therapy is “healing and wellness through immersion in forests and other natural environments.” It’s about allowing your body and psyche to be at peace in the […]
“Well-being can be defined, measured, and taught. Well-being includes positive emotions, intense engagement, good relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.” That is the thought behind Positive Psychology and the more constructive aspects of human nature. Although people such as psychologists Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Erich Fromm invented and used the term “positive psychology,” and celebrated mentally […]
The good news is that you can develop a positive mindset if you don’t already naturally have one. Why is that important? Because optimism can improve your physical health and well-being. Studies show that thinking positive thoughts is associated with better health and a lower chance of disease. And to the contrary, “extensive evidence has demonstrated […]
In the 1950s, when New York City was rapidly expanding, people soon realized that they couldn’t live in just a “concrete jungle”. As a result, Central Park was born. In London, once known for its foggy weather, the city has worked hard to become a “city of gardens”. And in Singapore, the famous City Garden […]
There is good news surrounding the COVID-19 crisis. It has brought out the best in societies: solidarity among neighbors, colleagues and health professionals, and emergency relief and treatments. And its lessons are clear, despite taking hundreds of thousands of lives and creating the worst economic recession since the 1930s, resulting in lost employment, income, health, […]
Bhutan – the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” (or Druk Yul in Bhutanese) – is a small landlocked country in Eastern Asia, on the edge of the Himalayas. The kingdom’s government, presiding over about 770,000 people, has but one aim – ensuring that its citizens are happy and well. To do so, it has created […]
You can learn to see the positive Research shows that optimism is beneficial to health and productivity: optimists tend to have better cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system. They also earn a higher income and have more successful relationships. Individuals’ optimism or pessimism may depend to a certain degree on their genetic and environmental origins. […]
Did you know? Although it may not seem like it from all we hear in the news, taken altogether, humanity has never been better off, based on GDP and other measures of well-being. Here are some facts: 1) The number of people living in absolute poverty has been reduced by 60% since 1980. 2) The world is safer […]
