Do you know how to be happy? « Psychologies

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Do you know how to be happy?

Do you know how to be happy?

Anyone who has studied the human condition, from Aristotle to Freud, has pondered happiness, because when it comes to happiness, we all have different experiences.

How important is being happy? Do you do everything in your power to seek out pleasure? Answer the following questions to find out how much of a hedonist you are.

By Christophe André, psychiatrist and psychotherapist

1. To find happiness you need to:
Think about the meaning of happiness before going in search of it
Make an effort to solve your problems – you will then feel you deserve to be happy
Be spontaneous and go with the flow
Work out what makes you happy and make time for it
2. Should we teach children how to be happy?
No, happiness comes naturally to children
No, only to tell the difference between benign pleasures and those which might cause harm
It would be more useful to teach them the harsh realities of life
Yes, we should show them what it is like to be really happy
3. Which of the following makes you happiest?
Trips to the great outdoors
Playing sport/looking after your body
Talking with friends
Sex
4. Happiness is:
Having a chance to think
Breaking the rules
As essential as breathing
As essential as brushing your teeth
5. Happiness is
A desirable state
A state you don’t experience very often
A necessary state
Your natural state
6. One of the things that made you happiest as a child was:
Playing out with your cousins
Listening to the stories your grandparents told you
To lie back on the grass and watch the clouds pass overhead
Getting into freshly laundered pyjamas after your evening bath
7. What is happiness for? It’s there to:
Elevate the soul and the spirit
Make us feel alive
Make us healthier and make us feel good
Set us free
8. Are any of the things that make you happy in fact vices?
If they make me happy, they can’t be doing any harm
Lots of them, unfortunately…
Some, but I’m in control of them
I’ve tried to give up those that are
9. As a child you were:
Well adjusted
Spontaneous
Prone to stress
Thoughtful
10. You were on a diet but you had a bit of a binge last night. How do you feel today?
I never do diets - I like my body as is it
If I enjoyed it, it can’t have done any great harm
If I go on a diet I always stick to it
I feel guilty and I’ve fitted bolts to the kitchen cupboards
11. How would you describe your first sexual experiences? As:
A revelation
Purposeful
Delectable
Exciting
12. What would happen if you gave in to pleasure too often?
You’d become self obsessed
You’d end up being frivolous and superficial
Your health would suffer
You’d eventually get depressed and bored

Comments

Rena (February 1, 2012 at 11:10 am) Reply | spam

Nice to read that I am well adjusted and go with the flow of life. Good to know that I should sometimes look beyond smelling the roses amd watch out for the thornes, will be more aware from now on, thanks

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