The descendants of Vikings blend their ancestors’ oddities with flexibility to learn from others — and seem the better for both

Here’s a different view of happiness, courtesy of Britain’s Sunday newspaper, The Observer (“No wonder Iceland has the happiest people on earth”).

Iceland . . . tops the latest table of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Index rankings, meaning that as a society and as an economy - in terms of wealth, health and education - they are champions of the world. To which one might respond: Yes, but - what with the dark winters and the far from tropical summers - are Icelanders happy? Actually, in so far as one can reliably measure such things, they are. According to a seemingly serious academic study reported in the Guardian in 2006, Icelanders are the happiest people on earth.

And all that whilst having the highest birth rate in Europe, the highest rate of divorce, and the highest percentage of women working outside the home.

What’s the secret? Continued

Some ways to help bring back the pleasure and excitement to your life

Do you sometimes feel that life is against you? People around you appear preoccupied and indifferent to you. There are constant hassles and upsets. Whatever enthusiasm you once had has disappeared and everything feels gray. You have little energy and feel like giving up. There’s no spark. No sense of excitement or joy in life.

If it happens to you, don’t ignore the situation and hope it will pass. Don’t tell yourself you’re maybe coming down with a cold, or you just need a few days vacation and you’ll be fine.

Try some practical ways to refuel your internal life.

Ignoring feelings like those described above is a mistake. Although not spectacular, they’re a symptom of your mind telling you that you’ve lost your way in life. Until you get back on your path, they’ll keep returning. Continued

Christophe André, is a French psychiatrist and author of Vivre Heureux (”How to lead a happy life”) and L’Art du Bonheur (”The art of happiness”). There’s an interview with him on Huffington Post that makes interesting reading (”The Professor Of Happiness“).

André works two and a half days a week in Paris’ Sainte Anne Hospital as a psychiatrist and teaches half a day each week at the University of Paris X, Nanterre. His books are based heavily on discussions with his patients. Here are some extracts to give you a flavor of the interview:

Do you think people are naturally happy?
“We tend to be naturally gloomy. Melancholy is la condition humaine. Biologically oriented psychologists agree there’s a good evolutionary reason for this. When we were all still hunters and gatherers, a certain degree of concern was useful. It was prudent to remain alert to dangers and problems, which is why we’re geared to focus on the negative. . .”

Do you experience moments of happiness?
“It’s hard work but it’s pleasant. You’ve got to put your mind to it. Working on happiness acts as an anti-depressant. . .”

Happiness can be learned. It’s within reach. When I get too nervous, too excited, too eager, then I know I need to rest and take a walk. When I walk, I need to stop occasionally and look around. Look and be open; absorb nature. . .”

Many people think happiness is a right — and get angry when it is “denied” to them. Others see it as a duty — and feel bad when they “fail” to be happy.

It’s refreshing to find someone who sees happiness for what it is: a choice which gives you a more interesting life. “We don’t live for happiness,” André says, “but life is possible, beautiful and rich because it exists. When we’re happy, we don’t think about tomorrow; we enjoy it here and now. And we’re only able to do that because we know that there could be more suffering tomorrow.”

Technorati Tags: happiness, choice, fulfillment, enjoying life, melancholy

I found an interesting snippet on the Toronto Star’s page “Mind & Mood.” It seems money can buy you happiness — as long as you are giving the money away or spending it on others.

Here’s a little of what the article says (”Mom was right: Giving really is better than receiving“): Continued