THERE IS NO WAY TO HAPPINESS. HAPPINESS IS THE WAY. THE BUDDHA Strasser, Kathleen Powell, Erin Lim, Nurulayni Kline, Barry Hallowell, Joell Chun, Gangeun (Kim)

ACT HAPPY “ I view happiness as deeper than a momentary good mood--as an enduring sense of positive well-being, an ongoing perception that life is fulfilling, meaningful, and pleasant. But in reporting on the markings of happy lives I define happiness as whatever people mean when they describe their lives as happy rather than unhappy. As it happens, those who say they are very happy usually seem so to others, as well. They smile and laugh readily during interviews. Friends and family members typically agree with their self- description." The Pursuit of Happiness: Who is Happy—and Why (Avon; 1993) David G. Meyers, Ph.D., Author

“ Act happy! Talk and act as if you have the traits and attitudes of a happy person, and you may gain them. Going through the motions can trigger the emotions. ” David G. Meyers

Experiment: ACT HAPPY N = hour experiment Morning & Evening Questionnaires –Rating of emotions (1-10) –Questions regarding physical, mental, and emotional well-being

Demographics Age (18 yrs to 65 yrs old) –19~25 (29%) –26~30 (18%) –46~50 (14%) Gender –Female (70%) –Male (30%) Relation –Single (42%) –Relationship (33%) –Married (25%)

COMPARISON: Morning vs. Evening Positive Emotions

COMPARISON:Morning vs. Evening Negative Emotions

Comments from Morning Q: Describe how you feel physically –Tired (53%) –Sick, exhausted, hurt, strong, relaxed, sore, headache, hungry Q: Describe how you feel emotionally –Stressed (13%) –Caged, stable, ready to conquer, depressed, alert, great, drained, blank Q: Describe how you feel mentally –Sad/anxious (20% each) –Ok (13%) –Drained, fine, confused, calm, content, lonely, irritable, good, happy

Comments from Morning Q: Additional comments on the ‘State of Being’ –Lack of sleep (40%) –Vivid dreams with lots of anger –No sleep and very anxious –Sick –Ready to conquer the day –focused –Great but still tired –Glad for everything –Good nights sleep –Feel like someone beat me up

Comments from Evening Q: Describe how you feel physically –Tired (48%) –Heavy, energetic, alive, cooler, uncomfortable, bitter, relaxed Q: Describe how you feel emotionally –Irritated (20%) –Good (13%) –Strong, stressed, drained, happy, great, sad, lonely, depressed, able to handle life, like a blown-out fuse Q: Describe how you feel mentally –Ok (13%) –Silly, cheerful, good, clear, tired, anxious, sick, stressed, overwhelmed, alert, relaxed, problem decoding(?!), life is good, lighter in spirit, not thinking

Comments from Evening Other comments after the experiment –“Forgot to act happy.” –“As a nurse this is a practice I do to help my patients it seems to stimulate their recovery.” –“People acted positive to my positive attitude…My happiness was contagious.” –“Hard time pretending.” –“Felt self-judged.” –“Smiled at everyone, whistled a lot and walked with a bounce and it made a difference for me.” –“I would think of this survey and smile…Doing this survey—feeling forced to ACT HAPPY itself put a smile on my face.”

Conclusion: Original Hypothesis –Participants will experience a higher level of happiness after the experiment due to the significant increases in their positive emotions and moods.

CONCLUSION-Actual Results: Positive Emotions Happy: +1.5 Cheerful: +1 Energetic: unchanged Life is good: -1 Content: +1 Joyful: -1 Elated: -3 Fulfilled: -1

CONCLUSION-Actual Results: Negative Emotions Pressured: -2 Bored: -2 Bad: -2.5 Trapped: -4 Stressed: -3.5 Lonely: -3 Angry: -1 Sad: -1

Conclusion In spite of the disappointing results in the positive emotions, the overall results show that the participants have experienced greater levels of happiness after the experiment. Simple act of making others feel good and happy helped out participants improve their negative moods and emotions about themselves, resulting in more balanced state of mind, emotions, and physical awareness.

CONCLUSION Therefore, this “ACT HAPPY” experiment shows that we have power to influence those around us, and in return, be influenced ourselves.

SMILE & SPREAD HAPPINESS!!!