What is Happiness?

Happiness is one of those words that can have different meanings according to who is describing a very subjective state of being. There are various dictionary definitions available and many opinions on happiness abound. However my own (subjective) view of happiness is that it is an energetic vibration that emits a high frequency of positivity. This high frequency attracts like energy such as rewarding friendships, fulfilling intimate relationships, meaningful work, feelings of contentment and an overall sense of wellbeing.
Following the law of physics that like attracts like, it serves us well to stay vigilant about what pulls our mood down and how to recover again. Self criticisms, negative thoughts, anger, frustrations, watching violence television (including the news), contact with difficult people - the list goes on - all have an impact on our energetic vibration. So it makes sense to check in with ourselves every now and again to sense what energy we are vibrating and employ various techniques to raise our vibration if and when needed.
Some ways to raise our energy vibration of happiness include:
- Uplifting music - music that stimulates the urge to dance is very uplifting!
- Natural sunlight - Vitamin D is essential to well being and recovering from depression
- Enjoyable exercise - keep moving to prevent stagnation!
- Hanging out with close friends
- Meditation
- Mindfulness practice
- Dressing up in your best gear and taking yourself to lunch somewhere really nice - better still with a special friend
- Engaging in great literature
- Having a makeover - new clothes, new hairdo, new set of goals
- Watching a feel-good movie
- Going to the beach - be ready for a gorgeous sunrise
- Have you tried bush walking?
- Visit the zoo?
- Pat your favourite pet
- Get a pet!
- Use affirmations while in theta brainwave frequency (see more on that below)
Using affirmations in a way that works
It is difficult to ignore the increasing information being presented through scientific research about the brain and the mind. How our brain works and which part is responsible for different functions, is being reported on a daily basis. “Neuroplasticity” seems to be the new buzz word around scientific and therapeutic circles and Bruce Lipton PhD, stem cell biologist (best selling author of Biology of Belief),is busy spreading the word on the extraordinary power of our subconscious mind comparative to the measly 5% influence of our conscious mind.
Bruce Lipton claims that the only way that affirmations will work is if we bypass the critical objections of the subconscious mind which is 1 million times more powerful than the wishes and wants of our conscious mind. This is done through several methods including hypnosis, Emotional Freedom Techniques, and affirmations heard while in a theta brainwave state.
There is more information on how this is done on my blog post - Reprogram your unconscious mind.
Other people's ideas of happiness
Psychologist Martin Seligman asserts that happiness is not solely derived from external, momentary pleasures, and provides the acronym PERMA to summarize Positive Psychology's correlational findings: humans seem happiest when they have
- Pleasure (tasty food, warm baths, etc.),
- Engagement (or flow, the absorption of an enjoyed yet challenging activity),
- Relationships (social ties have turned out to be extremely reliable indicator of happiness),
- Meaning (a perceived quest or belonging to something bigger), and
- Accomplishments (having realized tangible goals).
Podcast on 7 ways to reprogram subconscious mind. An interview with Dr Bruce Lipton.
How can counselling help you if you would like more happiness in your life?
Christine Bennett offers you help to achieve a happy state through counselling and psychotherapy. Christine finds that Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Ericksonian Hypnosis and lifestyle education can make a significant difference to improve mood.
If you would like to make an enquiry or appointment, please call or use the form provided below. We look forward to hearing from you.