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Do you want to help create a happier and kinder world? If so, please join our movement, add your pledge and we'll send you practical action ideas to make a difference. By choosing to Join, you trust Action for Happiness to take care of your personal information and agree to our Privacy Policy.

I will try to create more happiness and less unhappiness in the world around me

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Be a Happiness Activist

The research from positive psychology is very empowering. It shows that our actions can have a big impact, not only on our own well-being but on the happiness of those around us.

Being a Happiness Activist is about putting happiness - our own and other people's - at the heart of our philosophy of life. It's about working together, spreading the word, and 'being the change we want to see in the world'.  Read more

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  • Action 34

    Get happiness on the agenda at your child's school

  • Action 37

    Get happiness on the agenda of your existing group

  • Action 19

    Give yourself a happiness check-up

  • Action 36

    Get happiness on the agenda at your place of work

  • Action 43

    Wake up your MP and council to wellbeing

  • Action 3

    Create a local Action for Happiness group

  • Action 2

    Do kind things for others

  • Action 35

    Get happiness on the agenda at your college or university

  • Action 22

    Find your true purpose

  • Action 1

    Take the Action for Happiness pledge

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What are you doing as a Happiness Activist?

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Small and big things whenever I have the opportunity. I left a corporate job to start my own company Emergency Happiness so I could dedicate my career and life to helping others find happiness and success. I also take pleasure in helping others in small ways such as a smile or a hug

Genevieve, Berkshire, UK2 Sep 2010, 13:31

At 69, to explore something new and to create something new; I am creating a laughter and happiness club - launches on 2nd April. What happens if only one person attends? Make sure the next session has at least two people attending!

Keith, Carlisle, UK2 Sep 2010, 13:31
I love talking about this stuff with others and hearing their views. With a topic like happiness and well-being you get into some fascinating and inspiring conversations but the they are also very personal and honest at times. I'm currently involved in a small local group of parents talking about a more balanced approach to education for our kids. Mark, Kingston, Surrey2 Sep 2010, 13:31

Im doing an act of kindness every week for a year homefully will become a habit! Also posting happiness and motivational quotes on social media

Holly Griffiths , kettering 2 Sep 2010, 13:31

Whenever i pass anyone who i do not know, on the road or other public places, i send out these words mentally towards them with a smile in my heart, "May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be free of suffering."

Pritom Phookun, Oslo, Norway2 Sep 2010, 13:31

Happiness facts

Giving is good for youWhen we give to others it activates the areas of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust.

Altruistic behaviour releases endorphins in the brain and boosts happiness for us as well as the people we help. Studies have shown that giving money away tends to make people happier than spending it on themselves.

Happiness: a skill you can learn

Western neuroscience has now confirmed what Eastern wisdom has known for a long time: happiness is a skill we can learn.

Research shows that happiness, compassion and kindness are the products of skills that can be learned and enhanced through training, thanks to the neuroplasticity of our brains.

Happier people live longer

Happiness doesn't just feel good. A review of hundreds of studies has found compelling evidence that happier people have better overall health and live longer than their less happy peers.

Anxiety, depression, pessimism and a lack of enjoyment of daily activities have all been found to be associated with higher rates of disease and shorter lifespans

Happiness is good for your heart

Harvard School of Public Health examined 200 separate research studies on psychological wellbeing and cardiovascular health.

Optimism and positive emotion were found to provide protection against cardiovascular disease, to slow progression of heart disease and reduce risk, by around 50%, of experiencing a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack.

Happiness is contagious

Our happiness influences the people we know and the people they know.

Research shows that the happiness of a close contact increases the chance of being happy by 15%. The happiness of a 2nd-degree contact (e.g. friend's spouse) by 10% and the happiness of a 3rd-degree contact (e.g. friend of a friend of a friend) by 6%.

 

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