WWI at the WOHASU: Key Takeaways

The piece you are about to read below is a journey Ellenit Serrano, Elizabeth Bachrad and Jessica Cygan have chosen to share with our community about their experience at this year’s WOHASU short for World Happiness Summit.

The insights drawn are to help drive understanding of the universality of wellbeing in all spheres and walks of life. The global gathering of heart-centered wellbeing professionals in one room to discuss happiness and purpose for two full days was a reality, and for three of our initiative members it duly served as a reunion for some much anticipated in-person quality time. This year’s WOHASU immersive summit was hosted in London with the theme of “Wellbeing is the Purpose”; and covered topics such as:

• Personal purpose
• Human sustainability and energy management
• The release of the 2024 World Happiness Report
• Digital wellness
• Wellbeing for current and future generations
• Wellbeing policy and evidence-based practices for organizations

Ellenit, what are some of your takeaways after attending WOHASU??

I think Dr. Vivek Murphy, US Surgeon General summed it up best when he said “Wellbeing is the issue of our time” and we must put it front and center. With loneliness and isolation nearing a near universal phenomenon it’s a foundational issue having a profound public health impact; 1 in 2 adults in the US and UK are struggling with loneliness. The foundation for wellbeing and happiness is at risk and there is an immediate need to save particularly our youth with a focus on social connection!? Can we begin to paint a different story to our youth about what success is really about:? Serving others, knowing yourself, practicing compassion and kindness…Can we teach them about meaning and purpose? While laws and policy are extremely important, culture is what needs to be shaped because it’s just not our culture to talk to each other anymore.

The impact to the younger generations was further supported by the newly released data from the World Happiness Report which for the first time provides information by age group/demographic. For the first time in North America happiness has fallen so sharply that the young are unhappier than the old!

On a brighter note, there was much inspiration on the topics of Happiness and Purpose and demystifying the notion that a happiness the goal when in fact, as Karen Guggenheim tells us, happiness is a process and you work through the elements of wellbeing to elevate your level of happiness on an ongoing basis. Professor Arthur Brooks talked about the three micronutrients to happiness being enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning and reminded us that there can’t be happiness without unhappiness (only through the darkness can you see the light) and reiterated that “happier-ness” is the goal!

In terms of purpose, it turns out that being on purpose can add+7 years to your life! And if you want to find your purpose, just follow your energy! This will connect you to your purpose.?

And finally we left with some quick hit tools: PBS: pause, breathe and smile!

Elizabeth, what intrigued you the most?

I was most intrigued by the science connecting our beliefs, hopes and relationships to better health outcomes and better prosperity.?[Feel feel to explore more about the science].

This paves a compelling path for policymakers to put wellbeing as a measure of success alongside or instead of GDP. Psychiatrist Dr. Kelli Harding’s research revealed that kindness and human connection can positively impact our physical and mental health beyond traditional medicine. In the workplace, this means that having a good manager is just as critical as having a good doctor to avoid disease.1

Jessica, why did WOHASU draw you in, and what would you like to share with our readers?

The community aspect of gathering with esteemed professionals across disciplines in my field pulled me in immediately. There is much to learn in our shared experiences, from the research and work of the speakers, and later in personal reflection and integration of the content. Outside of what Ellenit and Elizabeth eloquently describe, what I am still feeling is the inspiring ripple effect from the energy in that room. What we all do across the globe to move wellbeing forward counts. Each collective step forward multiplies quickly; we have a responsibility to keep going and there is a lot of work ahead of us, which I see as an incredible opportunity to shape our future for the generations to come.

Final question – what does happiness mean to you?

Elizabeth: Happiness to me, is feeling utterly blessed in the moment. I realize it’s a continuum and to experience joy, we must also feel sorrow. In essence, when I close my eyes and can sink into the beauty all around me, inside and out, I know I am experiencing happiness. I wish that on everyone.?

Ellenit: An impactful quote from Professor Fred Luskin from Stanford University:? “Happiness is wanting what you have; stress is wanting anything else” reminds us of the importance of being in the moment.

Jessica: feeling present in the moment, grateful for all I have, and at peace within.

?So what does Happiness mean to you?

#WWI #KeyTakeaways #WOHASU #WorldHappinessSummit

Jessica Cygan Tingstr?m Elizabeth Blanchard Ellenit Serrano WOHASU ? Danielle (Dan) Watkins Jessica Grossmeier Jocelyn Pepe, MSc. MHC. Joana Kebss, MD Nina Hersher John Toomey Workplace Wellbeing Initiative of the Global Wellness Institute Global Wellness Institute

Building a Wellness Community Series