What... Vacations Don't Help Us?

A new study reports that vacations don't really enhance our happiness ratio. OMG- How can this be true? The report states that during the anticipation stage and during the vacation, we are happier, but our happiness ratio after the vacation is no higher than those who did not vacation.

Gulp... is says perhaps we are a smidge happier for a whole two weeks. So, here's the solution. Stay on vacation! Yes, stay on vacation... either physically (oh, do we need to work? haha) or at least in your mind. By that I mean- you need to keep thinking of all the fun you had on the vacation and thinking of good things you did during the vacation. Those acts will keep your happiness level sustained.

For more information on the study, go to http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/02/19/vacation-unlikely-to-improve-overall-happiness/11593.html

Your Heart will Love it if you are Happy

Here's the proof! Happy people are 22% less likely to have heart problems than those people who are unhappy.

Sounds like a great reason to try to enhance your happiness quotient. For more information on the study, go to http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/02/17/happiness-may-protect-against-heart-disease/11565.html

For additional information on happiness tips go through all of the articles on the blog related to happiness.

Is it time to apologize?

Did you once call someone a name that really affected them for the rest of their life? Did you stand someone up when they were expecting you to pick them up for a date? Did you lie to your boss when you actually did do something that affected the company in a dramatic way? Well, many people are now doing what appears to be the “in” thing… making apologies for things that happened long ago.


Dr. Joy you’ve brought us some research regarding “decade-late apologies.” What is this new phenomenon?
• With so much social networking people are able to find others via Facebook, My space and other methods and can access them years later
• With email people feel braver and less inhibited to make apologies that they might not make in person
• There are an influx of new websites such as PerfectApology.com and PublicApology.com where people can learn tips and even post their apology to those they have harmed.


From a therapeutic viewpoint, how do you feel about these types of apologies?
• Obviously, apologies would be much better if they are done in person vs. via email and never via a public forum
• It’s important that the person understands why they are seeking to make an apology—if you are doing it for a response or some sort of forgiveness from the person you harm, you are doing it with the wrong objective
• If you are willing to make the apology as an act of making amends and you are willing to have no expectations for the results, then it is healthy option.

What are the keys or steps of a healthy apology whether it is for someone you harmed in the past, or for something in the present?
• Detail what happened in detail
• Acknowledge that you hurt or damaged the person
• Take responsibility for your actions and take responsibility for your part in the situation
• Make a statement of regret (the apology)
• Ask for forgiveness
• Make a promise it will not happen again
• Make some form of restitution whenever possible

Remember that it is never to late to apologize, but doing it now versus later might save you in the long run.

Jealousy... the green eyed monster

Jealous feelings can dramatically dampen intimacy and your marriage. A February article looks at the research and you might find this an interesting read.

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/635911.html

Random Acts

Research indicates that performing a random act of kindness is a happiness enhancer and boosts your mood. Well, this week is the perfect time to do it, because February 15 begins "Random Acts of Kindness Week."

So go out and do something special.

Here's something free from us to you. Go to www.joymiller.com and you can download a newsletter on Happiness... absolutely free.

Sending happiness your way.

Telling your boss what you think

Telling your boss what you think might actually be a healthy option. A study presented at the British Psychological Society showed that employees who were able to talk to their boss about stressors at work were actually healthier. The study was conducted with employees who were able to rate their line managers. Managers improved their management styles and the employees saw it as a stress reducer.

Before you take this approach, take a look at the article at: http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Being+straight+with+your+boss+cuts+stress+Study/2441001/story.html

Here's a Remedy for Anxiety!

Here's some wonderful news for those who suffer from low to moderate anxiety. Drinking chamomile tea may actually lower your anxiety levels. The herbal remedy has always been noted as something with calming tendencies, but now a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology has stated that chamomile has been found helpful for mild to moderate GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder).

So get the water pot going and brew up some tea today...


To read more, got to http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/02/12/chamomile-for-anxiety/11400.html