Enjoy This Week’s CommonHealth Weekly Wellnote

Scientists define happiness as the sum of two things: How satisfied you are with your life + how good you feel day to day. While we all experience different degrees of happiness at different times, being happier is a skill we can build with practice. Try these tips for a happier, more fulfilling life.

• Get outside. According to scientists, being in nature helps us to reduce anxiety, brooding, and stress, and increases our attention, creativity, and our our ability to connect with other people.
• Help someone who needs it. Helping others releases endorphins (the feel-good hormone) that make us feel good. So, let the happy hormones flow!
• Say thank you. Researchers have found that being thankful and expressing it not only feels good, it also helps us build trust and closer bonds with the people around us.
• Brighten someone else’s day. Studies show that every act of kindness and giving back can boost your happiness, health, and sense of well-being.
• Have a meaningful conversation with a friend. Research indicates that substantive, intimate conversations strengthen our social bonds and, in turn, make us happier.
• Smile. According to neuroscience experts, the simple act of putting a smile on your face (even if you don’t feel happy) can help you feel more joyful.
• Close your eyes and relive one of the happiest moments of your life. Researchers say that memories of happy experiences seem to reshape how we see ourselves for the better.

For questions regarding this week’s communication or the CommonHealth program, please reach out to your respective campus coordinator below:

Alexandria:  Kathy Clement or Najeeb Baha
Annandale:  Regina Sanders
Fairfax/College Staff:  Angel Mori
Loudoun:  Liz Hamrick
Manassas:  ThuyTien Ngo-Nguyen
Springfield Medical Education Campus (MEC):  Beverly Tsikata
Woodbridge:  Georgette Harris

Submitted by:
Charlotte Calobrisi, AVP of HR, CCalobrisi@nvcc.edu