Why Happiness is Key to Everything!
The Happy Confident Company
Building Happy Confident Kids, Schools & Families Worldwide
Hello everyone, and welcome to our Spring Newsletter!
There's a palpable sense of uplift all around us as the spring flowers start to bloom, heralding the arrival of longer days and brighter times ahead.
With this joyful atmosphere as our backdrop, let's delve into a topic close to our hearts: happiness. More specifically, let's explore the critical role happiness plays in our lives.
“When we feel happier and more content in our lives, we naturally make better lifestyle choices. I think that’s quite intuitive to people. They recognise that if I generally feel contented with my work and the state of my life, I’m less likely to dive into the Ben and Jerry’s.” - Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
Physical Health: Happy people tend to live longer and experience better health outcomes. A comprehensive review published in the "Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being" journal found that happiness is associated with a lower risk of mortality and a variety of diseases. Happiness can boost the immune system, reduce stress, and lead to healthier lifestyle choices.
"Your happiness is really linked to your health. This link is very under appreciated, across society, but also within the medical profession.” - Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
In a study, Dr. Chatterjee discovered that even after you account for lifestyle, happier people are healthier. Two groups of people were taken into a lab and given rhinovirus, the virus behind the common cold. They found that it was possible to determine who was more likely to get sick based on how happy they were. People in less positive moods fell ill three times more often than the group who were happier.
Mental Health: There's a strong link between happiness and mental health. Research indicates that higher levels of happiness can reduce the likelihood of experiencing mental health challenges, including depression and anxiety. A notable study published in "The Journal of Positive Psychology" supports this, showing that individuals who report greater happiness tend to have a lower risk of mental health disorders. However, it's important to recognise that being happy all the time is neither possible nor necessary for good mental health. Rather, this connection emphasises the value of good emotional intelligence skills and our ability to navigate tough times and manage difficult emotions effectively. Developing such emotional resilience enables us to regain our sense of happiness after facing life's inevitable challenges. This leads us neatly to our next point.
Resilience: Happiness actually provides individuals with the resilience to navigate through those tough times! It equips us with a positive outlook that helps to cope with stress, trauma, and adversity. A study in "The American Psychologist" showed that positive emotions contribute to resilience in the face of challenges.
Beyond the physical and psychological benefits, happiness is inherently valuable and more than just feeling good, it's what many of us strive for in life. The World Happiness Report , released by the United Nations during the prestigious 2024 World Happiness Summit ( WOHASU ? ) showed us something important: being happy matters just as much as how rich a country is when we talk about its success. This new way of thinking is changing views on what makes a country truly 'well-off,' showing us that happiness and how people feel about their lives are key parts of a nation's progress, not just the size of its GDP.
The Link Between Kindness and Happiness
"Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others." ― Martin Luther King Jr
Being kind isn't just good for others; it's a booster for our own happiness. When we do nice things for people, it creates a ripple effect. We feel good because we've helped someone, and they feel good because someone's shown them kindness. This back-and-forth builds stronger connections between people, something we all need to be happy. In addition, when we are thanked for our kindness, it makes us want to keep up the good deeds, creating a cycle of positivity.
But there's more to it than just feeling good in the moment. Being kind can actually change how we see ourselves for the better, making us feel more positive and boosting our self-esteem. It's also a stress-buster and can make us feel less anxious or down. And here's a big one: doing kind things gives our lives more meaning. Knowing you've made a difference in someone's day or life adds a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness.
So, sharing a little kindness isn't just nice—it's a powerful tool for making the world a happier place, one act at a time. Think of it as happiness that grows the more you share it, both for you and for those around you.
The Happy Confident Company Update
Our CEO, Nadim Saad, had the honour of participating in this year's World Happiness Summit. On stage, alongside Nick Katsoris, founder of The Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation, under the expert moderation of Elisa Juarez, MBA - a renowned Social Impact Strategist. Nadim had a heartfelt conversation about our core mission and his personal journey that led to the creation of The Happy Confident Company .
Exciting Schools Program Update
We're excited to announce that we're finalists in the wellbeing category for the Education Resources Awards (ERA) 2024, hosted by BESA and Brilliant Marketing Solutions Ltd. It's an honour to be recognised for our commitment to education alongside such distinguished peers! Keep your fingers crossed for us and watch this space! ??
If you would like to know more about our award-winning schools' program, head over to our website here.
Spotlight on BSME Conference Success
Nadim Saad and Danielle Fanton received a fabulous reception at the BSME Conference. We were thrilled by the exceptional feedback on the value and authenticity of our session. Special thanks to Ben Raybould , Vice Principal (Whole School) at GEMS Wellington School - Qatar for his genuine and passionate contribution to the session and his commitment to student’s wellbeing.
Our journals have not only touched the lives of Ben's children, but also inspired him to embrace our entire school program. This suite of tools and resources is set to revolutionise school communities' approach to wellbeing, offering a much-needed shift.
In addition, we held a talk with the Parents of GEMS Wellington School - Qatar discussing the universal challenges of parenting. It was clear that the modern pressures of anxiety, screen time, and social media are universal concerns. It further reinforced the importance of our upcoming School Parents Portal, enabling families to integrate our wellbeing tools and resources at home reinforcing the learnings in school.
… and finally
In celebration of this year's World Happiness Day, here are some great children's books for the classroom or home.
The Jar of Happiness by Ailsa Burrows
Is there a recipe for happiness? Meg certainly thinks so. She collects all the necessary ingredients in a jar, which she uses to cheer up her friends and family when they’re feeling low. But what happens when her special jar mysteriously disappears? Will Meg feel sad forever more, or will she find other ways to be happy?
The Power of Kindness by Alice Bell
This book with its beautiful and thoughtful words and illustrations is a wonderful way to get your children to become aware of, think about, talk about and grow their understanding of what kindness is.
领英推荐
Each page has words and pictures that will inform what kindness is (or isn’t). Igniting curiosity about kindness and how it makes others feel and ultimately how great you feel to give it.
Lonely Planet Kids Happiness Around the World by Kate Baker
This beautifully illustrated picture book looks at concepts of happiness from across our planet. From forest bathing in Japan and playing the drums in Mali, to Danish hygge, Indian yoga and sharing a feast with family in the USA, every culture has its own unique take on how to achieve contentedness. Featuring Wazza Pink's stunning artwork, this book is the ultimate guide to the world of wellbeing.?
Happy Confident Me Daily Journal by The Happy Confident Company
Our fabulous entry-level journal! Developed by Psychotherapist Annabel Rosenhead and Parenting Expert, best-selling author our CEO Nadim Saad , this vibrant, illustrated journal is a daily exploration of happiness, confidence, optimism, growth mindset, resilience, and gratitude for children. Through engaging questions and inspiring quotes, it's an essential journey to personal growth and emotional wellbeing.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud
While using a simple metaphor of a bucket and a dipper, author Carol McCloud illustrates that when we choose to be kind, we not only fill the buckets of those around us, but also fill our OWN bucket! Conversely, when we choose to say or do mean things, we are dipping into buckets. All day long, we are either filling up or dipping into each other's buckets by what we say and what we do. When you're a bucket filler, you make the world a better place to be!
The Magic Is Inside You by Cathy Domoney
Madeleine learns how to take control of her thinking and turn her thoughts into a powerful, positive, can-do mindset that paves her way to confidence and success. Suggested activities included for parents, teachers, and carers to use together with their children to develop positive self-esteem.
Did you enjoy the book recommendations in our newsletter? Would you like more content like this in the future? Shoot us a quick reply or direct message. Your feedback makes us happier!
News From Around the Globe:
Hey! We hope you enjoyed our newsletter. Share it with a friend or colleague who could use a little happiness boost!
Whether you're still enjoying Spring Break or have returned to the daily routine, we wish you all a wonderfully happy week!