Do you know how to be happy?

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

Comments

Maria Walsh (April 5, 2010 at 5:53 pm) Reply | spam

Interesting!
Kerrine (April 3, 2010 at 7:49 pm) Reply | spam

You analyse and theorise about what makes you happy – This is spot on. I am a massive thinker. And i’m very spiritual. Perfect analysis.
Emme (March 30, 2010 at 3:15 pm) Reply | spam

once again, it got me exactly! its scary how accurate they are…