Research on positive psychology and happiness is popping up like daffodils in spring. Happy is a 75-minute movie available on Netflix, at libraries, and online. It’s an engaging diversion that offers specific practices to help you be happier which will aid you in dealing with stress during exams and for overall stress management.
The documentary includes interviews with people from the slums of Kolkata to the middle class in Denmark- it demonstrates that people in strikingly different circumstances can all be happy. Want to lessen depression? Write down what or who you are grateful for and why, this simple act, done weekly, was shown to reduce depression in college students. None of these activities has to take a big chunk out of precious study time. Take a break and check out the movie, it can be a nice de-stressor!
Here are some more tips from the movie to help you improve your happiness:
- Express gratitude often: tell people what they mean to you
- Do something new: take a different route home
- Get physical, play, get out in nature: walk through the Arb
- Connect with people you like: meet a friend for tea or coffee
- Go with your flow activities: stop what you’re doing and listen to music or create something
- Find experiences that offer deeper meaning: take time to serve others or get in touch with your spiritual roots
Contributed by Marsha Benz, Wolverine Wellness, University Health Service