Words by Smiley Team
One thing many of us can agree on is that we're all striving to live a happier lifestyle. And often, we’re constantly searching to find ways to achieve this in our daily lives. This is a topic Vanessa King, the head of workplaces and positive psychology at Action for Happiness, has been researching for decades.
She joined the charity in 2010 – just before it launched – and volunteered to come up with a framework the charity could use: 10 keys to happier living. Vanessa spent six months reviewing literature and studies into happiness, using as well a framework of five ways to wellbeing that had already been developed, and came up with the 10 keys. She read through 1000s of academic studies. The keys are also an acronym, spelling out ‘Great Dream’.
“I call them 10 keys to happier living, not the 10 keys to happiness,” says Vanessa. “It’s important that we’re realistic life has ups and downs – people shouldn’t think they’ve failed if they’re going through a bad patch.”
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You might think the keys seem simple, but accessibility is so important, says Vanessa. Any many people will interpret the keys in different ways. “They are a menu and not a prescription,” she says. “You don’t have to do all 10 equally – different things work for different people at all time. But you can use it as a checklist for what you are doing already.”
Vanessa says it’s helpful to use the list as inspiration – even though they’re evidence-based. “It’s about acknowledging that these things can play an important part of your wellbeing,” she says.
The first two keys are about interactions and connections with other people, and Vanessa says these are vital. Whether you have a big network of friends or a small one, they’re important to your wellbeing. “But sometimes we take these for granted,” she says, “so these are like nudges to acknowledge them.”
“Our brains are hardwired to focus on what’s wrong,” she say, “so we have to train our brain to notice what’s right. It can create a virtuous circle.”
Find the 10 keys below, and explore more on the Action for Happiness website.
1. Giving - doing things for others
2. Relating - connect with people
3. Exercising - take care of your body
4. Awareness - live life mindfully
5. Trying out - keep learning new things
6. Direction - have goals to look forward to
7. Resilience - find ways to bounce back
8. Emotions - look for what’s good
9. Acceptance - be comfortable with who you are
10. Meaning - be part of something bigger
Find out more at Action for Happiness, the movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. Visit their Instagram to find out more, too. And donate here.
