Bliss Tip #22: Longitude Your Gratitude

by Allison Aboud Holzer
In Positive Psychology circles and  discussions about happiness, the topic of gratitude is likely to come up in conversation. While scientists disagree about the ideal dosage and type of gratitude intervention, most agree that some degree of focus on gratitude increases well-being, hope, and positive emotions. Some argue for keeping a gratitude journal, [...]

Bliss Tip #18: Personalize Your Home

by Allison Aboud Holzer
Some people are natural nesters. When we first moved to New Haven, I couldn’t even sleep at night knowing that boxes were left unpacked. My home space is a haven to me and I need to be surrounded by images of people I love and souvenirs from memories I cherish in order [...]

Bliss Tip #15: Play Dress Up, Games, and Scheme Themes

by Allison Aboud Holzer
Last night I attended a fundraiser at the Yale School of Management (SOM) called SOMonopoly. Not only were the “bling”-themed costumes fabulous but all of the decorations were customized, making the event both visually and emotionally colorful! As I watched live auctions for things like A Block Party Thrown Your Honor, I [...]

What Happened To The Pursuit Of Happiness?

by Mark Setton, Founder of the Pursuit of Happiness, this article was originally published in the Huffington Post
It seems that many Americans have been pursuing the Wall Street version of happiness with a vengeance, encouraged by the 2006 blockbuster “Pursuit of Happyness,” in which Will Smith and his real-life son become best buddies in an [...]

Bliss Tip #4: Create a New Annual Ritual

by Allison Aboud Holzer

On this lovely Super Bowl evening, I am reminded of the magnetic power of annual rituals. No amount of coaxing, pleading, or enticing with a delicious home-cooked meal could convince my husband to relegate Super Bowl watching for the evening. And while he graciously invited me to join him for the festivities, [...]

Bliss Tip #3: Start Up “Team YOU”

by Allison Aboud Holzer

One quick peruse through Facebook Groups shows the abundance of opportunities we have to express our commitment to causes, groups or organizations. My personal favorite is the “Chocolate=Love!” group of which I am a loyal member and committed chocolate eater! Belonging is a natural part of human nature that starts in the [...]

Bliss Tip #1: Play More with Pets

by Allison Aboud Holzer

Do you remember the scene in Cast Away when Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks) cried “Wilson! WILSON! I’m sorry Wilson, I’m so sorry…”? I sobbed while watching him let his best friend drift away in the ocean in order to survive. And then I left the theatre baffled at myself for [...]

50 Bliss Tips for 2009!

by Allison Aboud Holzer
Health, Emotion, and Behavior Laboratory at Yale University
Pursuit of Happiness, Inc.
The U.S. News and World Report special year-end issue included an article called “50 Ways to Improve Your Life in 2009.” This article highlighted 50 simple small changes we can make in our lives to improve them, many inspired by recent advances [...]

Three Research-based Tips for Raising Happy Kids

by Christine Carter, Greater Good Science Center

These are not the only—or even the most important—things we can do to promote happiness in our children , but they are things that might not be obvious to parents.

1. Teach gratitude.

In my opinion, one of the most important happiness habits in the history of the universe is GRATITUDE. [...]

The Pursuit for Happiness

by Maia Lynd, www.celebrateyourlight.com

The pursuit for happiness is a pursuit that has followed us for as long as we have walked this planet. In fact it has also followed every animal, every plant, and every cell of every animal and plant, for all of existence. This is because life is sustained by a Life force, [...]