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With 5 June being World Environment Day, we wanted to highlight some uplifting environmental stories for this month's Bright Side. Ed Gould rounds up his Top Ten from the past month. There were plenty of positive news stories that didn't necessarily get the attention they deserved in May. In fact, many of them related to the global environment which – perhaps understandably – was not always top of the mainstream media's agendum during a worldwide emergency. And, as it's World Environment Day on 5 June, let's take a look at some stories which will hopefully mean great things for the globe. 1. Endangered gibbons back from the brink Numerous news outlets, including the South China Morning Press, reported that a decades-long project to conserve the remaining numbers of Hainan gibbons has had major success. The number of gibbons had dropped to as low as ten in the 1970s following the loss of habitat, and they are thought to be the rarest apes on the planet. However, for the first time since then, their numbers have exceeded 30. Although still endangered, this is a big success for conservationists given the gibbons' low birth rate. Hanging around: Hainan gibbons have made a comeback 2. New disposable bottles will degrade naturally Rather than using fossil-fuel derived plastics for their disposable bottles, two big drinks manufacturers have announced their backing for a plant-based alternative. Coca-Cola and Carlsberg both said in May that they would help to upscale the production of these biodegradable bottles, which have been developed in the Netherlands. According to the Guardian, the bottles can be recycled, but won't last for more than a year if they're disposed of instead. 3. Deforestation success for indigenous Brazilian group Although illegal logging remains a serious problem in many parts of the world, including the Amazon basin, one group of indigenous Brazilians has won a lengthy court case to protect their corner of the world. A report in Latin Post stated that the Ashaninka people had won their day in court following a 20-year legal battle with loggers operating in their area. The equivalent of US$3 million has been awarded to the group in a compensation judgement handed down by the courts. 4. India sees a drop in carbon emissions As fewer people flew or took to their cars, May was a month that saw less carbon-intensive usage than usual in many developed economies. In India, the drop in carbon emissions was even more remarkable because the country has seen year-on-year rises for over 40 years. The BBC reported that India's lower energy usage was part of of the marked change seen in the first quarter of 2020. However, it also pointed out that the uptake of renewable sources of energy was now becoming widespread in the country, indicating this may be a long-term change – let's hope so. A typical India street scene shutterstock/Radiokafka 5. Garlic could help fight global warming Garlic is an everyday ingredient in many parts of the world, but could it play a part in saving it? Some Swiss bio-engineers think so. According to The New York Times, trials are now ongoing in the UK with the foodstuff being used as part of a supplement in the dietary intake of dairy herds. The cleverly-named Mootral feed supplement works by reducing harmful bacteria in the stomachs of cows. With less flatulent herds, it's believed that methane carbon emissions in the dairy sector could drop by over 30 per cent. According to the makers, the use of garlic will also help cows to burp less too! 6. BBC launches mindfulness app for kids Mindfulness may have helped many people during the recent Coronavirus crisis. However, getting younger children to be more mindful has been something of a challenge, especially as many have been outside of traditional schooling environments. The BBC launched an app to meet the demand for mindfulness among children called 'Your Mindful Garden'. It includes activities such as raking virtual sand and breathing exercises for younger ones to help them understand some of the concepts involved. The app is voiced by the actor Stephen Fry and is designed for daily use. RELATED: The benefits of meditation for kids 7. Rare bee spotted for the first time in years Whether a result of more people looking at nature or recent changes to pollution levels around the globe, some rare species have been spotted recently. Few were more scarce than the blue Calamintha bee, which was seen for the first time in years, creating a buzz in the United States. According to Fox News, the Osmia Calaminthae, a species of bee that was so rare it was thought to have been extinct, was spotted by Chase Kimmel, a researcher who works at the Florida Museum of Natural History. It's the first documented case of the rare bee in over four years! This small blue bee is making a big buzz! flickr/Bob Peterson 8. Huge solar plant announced for Nevada According to GreenTech Media, the world's largest solar plant has been given the green light. It will be built in Nevada and is expected to be able to produce 690 megawatts of energy once it's up and running. The Gemini Solar Project is expected to create about 900 construction jobs and will be completed by 2022. 9. Danish green hydrogen gets a boost The Financial Times reported that half a dozen Danish companies have come together in order to produce green hydrogen as an environmentally friendly fuel for heavy industry and the transportation sectors. The move will lead to one of the largest such plants in Europe. It's part of Denmark's attempts to be carbon neutral by 2050 and could mean that the use of natural gas in the country as a fuel is phased out by as soon as 2027. The conglomerate of green energy production has been backed by big names in the Danish energy, shipping and logistics industries. 10. US company uses rubbish for green hydrogen In another green hydrogen announcement made in May, a Californian company said it would soon start processing 42,000 tons of solid domestic waste to turn it into clean fuel. According to American press reports, the scheme will involve the use of household rubbish on a scale never previously seen before, which will make its price as competitive as other forms of hydrogen fuel. It's thought that landfill sites full of rubbish will now be able to be turned into clean energy and even collected rubbish will be taken directly to their processing plant. SGH2, the company behind the move, has partnered with the city of Lancaster to trial the scheme. ● Written by Ed Gould Ed Gould is a UK-based journalist and practitioner of Reiki.

What is the definition of happiness? Does it involve fancy holidays, flash cars or lavish shopping trips? Well, only if you want a cheap thrill. As Calvin Holbrook discovers, the true meaning of happiness lies in daily pleasure, engagement and life satisfaction. What is happiness? It’s the eternal question that’s been on the lips of philosophers, theologians and regular people like you and I for centuries. Much more recently, this question has received a great deal more attention from the scientific community. But does all the recent research into well-being bring us any closer to a well-rounded definition of happiness? Well, before getting into what science has discovered about what happiness truly is, perhaps it’s first easier to rule out what happiness definitely isn’t. 1. Happiness is not about being wealthy Data from the first half of the 20th century – a period of world wars and depression – indicated that happiness levels increased as household incomes rose. Researchers used to believe that more money made people happier. However, this is not the case nowadays. • JOIN US! Need support? Sign-up to join a community that cares • And while living in poverty surely makes happiness harder to achieve, recent research suggests that after a certain point, money does not buy us any more happiness. In a well-cited 2010 study by Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton from Princeton University, a magic number was put on the relation between happiness and income: $75,000 (€65,000). The researchers found that money increases happiness up until this amount annually, but exceeding that amount, there is no rise in happiness. What is happiness? Experiences with loved-ones is one of its main elements One key exception to money not leading to happiness is when you choose to spend your cash on experiences, specifically with friends and family. In their book Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending, authors Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton showed that spending our hard-earned cash on experiences or investing it in others does makes us happy. “By giving to another person, you’re… creating a connection and a conversation with that person, and those things are really good for happiness," says Norton, an associate professor of marketing at Harvard Business School. 2. Happiness is not feeling joyful 24 hours a day When trying to answer the question 'What is happiness?', science also suggests that happiness does not come from feeling happy all of the time. Indeed, almost all happy people will experience periods of sadness in their lives. In fact, what researchers have found is that humans have a baseline level or 'set-point' of happiness. This psychological term describes our general level of happiness, and all humans have different set-points: those with higher ones will be happier most of the time compared with those that have a less joyful outlook (and lower set-point). “What is happiness? Science suggests that happiness does not come from feeling happy all the time. Almost all happy people will experience periods of sadness in their lives.”  It follows then that unhappy life events shift happiness levels below their set-point while positive or exciting events boost your happiness levels above your set-point. However, sooner or later, when the life event finishes, happiness levels returns to their natural base level (that's why we often feel the 'holiday blues' when coming down from the high of a recent trip). RELATED: 6 ways travel boosts your mental health and happiness 3. Happiness is not a destination, it's a journey Many people still view happiness as a destination to arrive at after they’ve achieved certain tick-lists: the well-paid job, the partner, the mortgage, the kids, the latest hi-tech gadget or pair of sneakers. Happiness is flow: find what you love to do and do more of it! But often we forget that we're living in the present, and this is key: to experience happiness as journey and not a destination. Likewise, it takes effort to gain and maintain happiness. Indeed, many techniques for becoming happier – such as writing a gratitude journal or exercising – only work if they are regular habits and not one-off events. On the contrary, one-off life events such as getting married or getting a promotion will bring some short-term happiness but this will quickly wear off (remember that set-point?). So, what exactly is a good definition of happiness? Now we know what it isn’t, how can we define happiness? In her well-respected book The How of Happiness, positive psychology researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky defines happiness as: “the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.” So, day-to-day pleasure and meaning in life (through job satisfaction, for example) are considered two key factors in defining what happiness is. This resonates with the ancient Greeks who believed happiness consisted of two parts: Hedonia or pleasure, and Eudaimonia or meaning. More recently, positive psychologists – such as Martin Seligman in his 2002 book Authentic Happiness – have added the component of ‘engagement’ or ‘flow’ to the happiness definition. Combining these trio of happiness components – pleasure, meaning and engagement – psychologists have come up with a scientific term for defining happiness: subjective-well being (SWB). What is the definition of happiness? © YouTube/Greater Good Science Center So, your SWB, or happiness, is a combination of how good you feel on a daily basis, how satisfied you are with your life (does your life have meaning?), and how engaged you are with both activities that you love and your network of friends and family. Luckily, aside from our genetics – which determine or set-point of happiness – we can keep working on the happiness variables by enhancing engagement, meaning and purpose in our lives. Indeed, with consistent practice, we can create life-long habits which will ultimately lead to a more satisfying, fulfilling and joyful life. Now that’s our definition of happiness! ● happiness.com | The fine art of being: learn, practise, share Are you a happiness.com member yet? Sign up for free now to: ■ enjoy our happiness magazine with practical life tips ■ share and support others in our happiness forum ■ learn with free online classes in our happiness Academy Positive Psychology | Mindfulness | Compassion Written by Calvin Holbrook Calvin edits the happiness magazine, as well being an artist and lover of swimming, yoga, dancing, and all things vintage! Find out more.

Do you ever get stressed at work? Many of us do. In fact, stress and depression account for around half of lost working days in the UK. Find out your work stress level by taking our questionnaire and then discover ways you can manage it effectively. What are the main causes of the stress you encounter in your job? It could be a combination of some of the following: a heavy workload, unclear expectations, lack of agenda and decision-making abilities, an overload of responsibilities, and boundaries that are not respected. If you feel stressed at work, you are not alone: According to the 2019 publication Work-related stress, anxiety or depression statistics in Great Britain, there were just over 600, 000 workers in the UK suffering from work-related stress, depression or anxiety (new or long-standing) in 2018/19. Over the same period, just under 13 million working days were lost due to these conditions. And stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 44 per cent of all work-related ill health cases and 54 per cent of all working days lost due to ill health. To help understand this we’ve developed the stress at work questionnaire. If you haven't completed it yet, please do so by hitting the link below. It takes less than three minutes and will shed some light on your personal experience at work and inspire you to think about the causes of stress you encounter in your job in a way that allows you to dig deeper into understanding and consequently managing your work stress. Stress at work questionnaire After you’ve gotten the result from your stress at work questionnaire, it's time to analyze it. The results are on a scale from zero to 60, with zero representing no stress at all and 60 an extreme and even dangerous amount of stress. What do you think about your result? Did it match your expectations? Share your thoughts with us in the happiness Forum. What causes stress? Stress generally refers to two things: the psychological perception of pressure (real and imagined/ anticipated), and the body's response to it. Avoiding an accident on the way to work will cause stress as well as social tension, or the fear of being held responsible for a bad result at work. This all triggers the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones increase heartbeat and the circulation of blood to support quick action, fast breathing, focused attention, and more. But this lifesaving bodily response is only meant to solve short-term, acute problems. What is chronic stress? While occasional stress can be motivating and energizing – even life-saving – chronic stress is harmful, not only to our mental but also to our physical health. The signs of prolonged stress include headaches, insomnia or problems falling asleep, a racing heartbeat, stomach aches, muscle tension, and concentration difficulties, among others. Chronic stress can emerge in the absence of severe incidents by ruminating about anticipated problems, changes and challenges. Any situation you perceive as threatening, or which requires you to adjust to a change, can set the stress response off. This is not necessarily the best way to deal with ongoing difficulties such as unrealistic demands at work or hierarchical problems in a company. When the stress response gets continuously triggered, the mind and body stay in the state of high alert, which, over time, will cause wear and tear, as we fail to enter the important state of rest and recovery. Indeed, Segen's Medical Dictionary defines chronic stress as: “A state of prolonged tension from internal or external stressors [causes of stress], which may cause various physical manifestations – e.g., asthma, back pain, arrhythmias, fatigue, headaches, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers – and suppress the immune system.” Similarly, Wikipedia states: “While the immediate effects of stress [hormones] are beneficial in a particular short-term situation, long-term exposure to stress creates a [constant] high level of these hormones. This may lead to high blood pressure (and subsequently heart disease), damage to muscle tissue, inhibition of growth, suppression of the immune system, and damage to mental health.” How can we manage our stress levels? Here we need to distinguish between inner and outer factors. Stress management is not made to endure unacceptable and toxic work environments but to keep us healthy and encourage improvements within ourselves at the workplace in a calm and productive way. The first and most important step is the realization that we are actually stressed. Only the acceptance of the fact that stress is there allows us to do something about it. Though stress is often inevitable, you can help control your body's response to it. Exercise, meditation, invoking the relaxation response, and mindfulness are great stress busters. By actively managing our stress we change from passively sitting in the passenger seat of our stress reaction into actively choosing our response to the situation. Accepting that there is stress also doesn't mean that we have to endure it but that we see it for what it is. We are then able to analyze the situation and choose how we work within ourselves and in regard to the organization we work for. We have more clarity, are able to really listen to and understand other points of view, and find satisfying solutions that consider all parties involved. We can navigate difficult situations more skillfully and become aware of mechanisms at the workplace that cause unnecessary amounts of work and can, therefore, address them calmly. Stress management resources Explore these articles from happiness.com and wider afield to discover practical tips that can help you manage your stress effectively. Mindfulness at work: 6 productive tips 11 science-backed ways to feel stress-free, fast MBSR - Meditation based stress reduction - Free 8-week online course The amazing effects of MBSR: backed up by science Building resilience: 5 strategies for thriving Why Stress Is Both Good and Bad – Psychology Today The three types of stress – Psychology Today Sources Work-related stress, anxiety or depression statistics in Great Britain, 2019 – Health and safety executive [13.05.2020] Stress – Harvard Health [12.05.2020] How stress affects your health – American Psychological Association [12.05.2020] Stress: Psychology and Biology – Encyclopaedia Britannica [12.05.2020] Defining Stress – Explore IM: UCLA Collaborative Centers for Integrative Medicine [12.05.2020] Stress – Psychology Today [12.05.2020] Images: Alexander Schimmeck, Simon Abrams, Marvin Meyer on Unsplash Written by Tine Steiss Tine is an artist, meditator, media engineer, activist and MBSR teacher. If she's not reading or writing she's working on turning her city garden into an edible paradise. Find out more about Tine on herrberta.art.

If you're an anxious person, practising yoga regularly could help to regulate your stress response. From regulating breathing to breaking the worry cycle, Calvin Holbrook examines the benefits of yoga for anxiety. Plus, discover some great videos to get you started. Most of us have experienced feelings of anxiety during our lives. From a small case of butterflies in the stomach to full-blown panic, anxiety is a natural response to what we see as stressful situations, and one that can help us react appropriately when we really are in danger. So, how could yoga help us cope with anxiety? For those of us living with an anxiety disorder, feelings of fear often aren’t a rational response to external circumstances. Furthermore, they can develop into a dominating and disruptive influence in the form of panic attacks or panic disorders such as agoraphobia. In England, one in six people experience a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week. Similar figures exist in the USA. Here, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness, affecting 40 million adults – roughly 18 per cent of the population – every year. Yoga can help relieve stress shutterstock/4 PM Production Those living with extreme anxiety issues often experience a hyperarousal of the fight/flight survival response in the form of panic attacks, which creates a feeling of urgent fear and ignorable physical symptoms. Indeed, many people think they are about to die during an attack. So, how can someone experiencing this begin to calm down when their brain and body is telling them they are in mortal danger? How yoga can help with anxiety A 2006 study from UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry showed that almost 30 per cent of anxiety disorder patients may be “treatment resistant”, finding front-line interventions such as medication ineffective. This in part may help to explain why so many people with anxiety seek alternative treatments. Indeed, a 2001 study from Harvard Medical School showed that just over half – 56 per cent – of the 2,000 people questioned living with anxiety disorders seek alternative and complementary medicine. RELATED: How to stop a panic attack – 12 tips on what to do when anxiety hits hard Yoga is just one of those alternative treatments. Incorporating postures, meditation, visualization, and breath focus, the overall practice of yoga can elicit the relaxation response, allowing both the mind and body and mind to calm down. And, while yoga is an ancient practice, many of the systems of yoga – believed to be created by the sage Patanjali – feature elements used in modern anxiety treatments: relaxation techniques focused on breath regulation, cognitive reframing, behavioural recommendations, mindfulness of sensory input, as well as methods for greater cognitive flexibility, stress reduction and increased concentration. “Yoga elicits the relaxation response, allowing both the mind and body and mind to calm down.” Because yoga is a mind-body practice, people who do it become more aware of the link between their minds and bodies. This can help them to become less anxious. Furthermore, through practising yoga regularly, those living with anxiety are also unconsciously building resilience and learning to regulate their stress response. Yoga therapy for anxiety is also a great option as it's a long-term, safe, and relatively inexpensive treatment option. Ways yoga can help with anxiety Here are four specific ways yoga can help you if you're an anxious or easily stressed person. 1. Yoga helps us to regulate our breathing When we're anxious or stressed, our breathing often becomes rapid or shallow. We may even (unconsciously) start to hold our breath. As our breath is intimately connected to our nervous system, negative changes in it feed back to increase feelings of anxiety. Reversely, if we deepen and slow our breathing, it soothes and relaxes the nervous system. Breathing is integral to yoga and practising it teaches us how to breathe with awareness. Furthermore, we can take this breath focus with us outside of the yoga class and implement it in day-to-day stressful situations. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Yoga breathing exercises for anxiety YouTube/WebMD 2. Yoga lowers tension and promotes relaxation Ever felt your body becoming tenser while stressed or anxious? Our bodies often constrict during periods of anxiety and stress. We start to hold tension in our back, shoulders, jaw, neck, or elsewhere. Yoga can help us to relax and lower our physical tension, in turn release the power that anxiety has on us. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Yoga for relaxation YouTube/Yoga With Adriene 3. Yoga breaks worry cycles Stepping onto the yoga mat gives us a chance to be mindful. As postures require focus, yoga helps with anxiety by forcing us to concentrate on our breath, bodies and movement, therefore letting go of other worries and negative thoughts. If we practise yoga regularly enough, this can help us break our worry cycles and reduce anxious thoughts. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Yoga to Calm Your Nerves YouTube/Yoga With Adriene 4. Yoga trains us to accept discomfort We naturally run away from discomfort, but we may experience it while holding various yoga poses. Yoga asks us to experience this uncomfortable feeling for a while and not try to escape it. Knowing that we can experience discomfort and deal with it can help us when coping with anxiety, for example, encouraging us to ride through a panic attack instead of trying to run away from it. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } 20-min yoga for anxiety workout: YouTube/Yoga With Adriene Yoga for anxiety: the scientific evidence In recent years, increasing numbers of scientific studies have backed up the ideas above. Indeed, much of the existing research suggests that yoga is an effective additional therapy for people living with anxiety when used alongside other recommended methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, relaxation techniques and medication. Various studies have been completed which point to the clinical value in including yoga in anxiety treatment. A 2010 study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine compared a group doing a 12-week yoga intervention with a similar group practicing walking instead. Those doing yoga were associated with greater improvements in mood and anxiety than those doing the walking exercise. Similarly, a 2007 study from Adelaide’s University of South Australia that compared yoga with relaxation techniques concluded that a 10-week yoga programme reduces stress, anxiety and improves health status in several key ways. “Because yoga is a mind-body practice, people who do it become more aware of the link between their minds and bodies. This can help them to become less anxious.” Furthermore, a 2005 German study backed up these results. Twenty-four women who described themselves as ‘emotionally distressed’ took two 90-minute yoga classes a week over three months. At the same time, a control group maintained usual activities without engaging in any exercise or stress-reduction techniques. At the end of the three-month practise period, the yoga group of women reported improvements in energy, perceived stress, fatigue and overall well-being. Impressively, depression scores improved by 50 per cent while anxiety scores by 30 per cent. The takeaway: yoga for anxiety As the studies outline above, yoga has proven benefits for those living with anxiety and stress. Regularly practising it can help you to build resilience and regulate your stress response, helping you to feel calmer and happier . ● Are there other ways you've found that yoga helps with anxiety and dealing with stress? Please share with the community below... Written by Calvin Holbrook Calvin edits our magazine and is a lover of swimming, yoga, dancing to house/techno, and all things vintage. Find out more.

Many of us struggle to find purpose or meaning in our lives, but as Dee Marques explains, it doesn't have to be such a challenge. From lifelong learning to developing your relationships, here are seven strategies on how to find meaning in your life. The other day I was talking to a childhood friend about how much things have changed over the past few months. Leaving the negatives aside, we both agreed that we’re now a lot more focused on the things that matter. Suddenly, how to find meaning in life has taken centre stage in many of our worlds. We’re not alone in this struggle to uncover meaning and purpose in our lives. A recent UK poll revealed that a staggering 90 per cent of people aged between 16 and 29 thought their lives had no purpose. This feeling affects older adults too. Another survey claims that more than half of UK workers are unhappy in their current jobs and feel there could be better off pursuing another career. Similar figures exist in the USA. So, as you can see, lots of people sense that something is missing in their lives. RELATED: Values and motivation – essential for meaning in life In fact, how to find meaning in life is probably one of the oldest questions out there – and I'd wager that while many people discover the answer, just as many others don't! But discovering that meaning or purpose doesn’t always have to be the challenge that we often make it. Likewise, it doesn't have to involve grand gestures. You don’t need to take a sabbatical or spend weeks in a meditation retreat. How to find meaning in life: avoid these traps Nowadays we have many tools and resources to live happier lives. So why are so many people unhappy? For starters, finding happiness and finding meaning are related but not the same thing. Researchers found that happiness comes from meeting our needs, but the same can’t be said of purpose. You can have all your basic needs covered, even some extra luxuries, and still wonder what are you here for. Searching for meaning is one of life's big challenges So, when wondering how to find meaning in life, it’s important to understand that meaning doesn’t come from having or doing more things. Some of the things we do matter, others aren’t really important. Focusing on the ones that matter can bring purpose to our lives. But don’t compare yourself to others. There are people who seem to have known what their life purpose was from the start. But they’re the exception and comparing ourselves to them can be frustrating. After all, finding meaning is a personal quest. And the comparison is unfair, because maybe there isn’t a “big” purpose for us, but rather a sense of purpose. Seven practical ideas to find meaning in life 1. Pause Finding meaning doesn’t have to involve grand gestures. You don’t need to take a sabbatical or spend weeks in a meditation retreat. Indeed, research by University of Missouri psychologist Laura King suggests the answer is already within ourselves (watch her below). Take time to reflect on what being human means according to your experience so far. Think about the meaningful moments you’ve experienced, and ask yourself what values can be learnt from them. Then think about how to bring those values into your everyday life. But don’t overthink it. This will only cause stress, and can block your ability to enjoy the little things that give meaning to life. If you feel you’re overthinking it, pause, and take a moment to be mindful. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Pa Pause to find meaning in life YouTube/Society for Personality and Social Psychology 2. Enjoy the journey Author Robert Byrne says that “the purpose of life is a life of purpose”. Like millions of people out there, I’ve been looking for “the thing” that will give a deeper sense of purpose to my life. This has been going on for quite some time, and the truth is, I haven’t found it. But I’m not disappointed or stressed; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. The journey has been packed with discoveries, and has brought me closer to understanding that there’s no “one thing” that gives us purpose. Maybe there are many, or maybe the experience is what’s worthy in itself. RELATED: Why happiness is a journey (not a destination) 3. Find your flow, find your centre While on this journey, make a list of the small things that give you a deep sense of balance or personal satisfaction: your flow. Make an effort to be conscious of what brings you joy, and think about how you can turn those things into habits. Positive habits are important when learning how to find meaning in life, because they help us feel fulfilled. 4. Follow your talents Maybe the things that make us feel centred are already there, but we’re not seeing them because we’re too busy or stressed. Here it may be useful to go back to consider your childhood. What did you want to be or do when you grew up? “Discovering how to find meaning in life doesn’t always have to be the challenge that we often make it.” Unfortunately, it seems we grow out of our dreams too often. You can also think about the things you enjoyed doing or were good at as a child. Maybe you were good at making people laugh, or at telling stories, or at building things with your hands. If these things were parked to the side, take some time to focus on them again and it could bring new meaning to your life. 5. Keep learning If you still can’t see how to find meaning in life, perhaps you haven’t explored enough. Learning something new keeps us engaged and can open our eyes to skills or talents we didn’t know we had. In fact, so-called lifelong learning has been shown to have many benefits: to your health, employment possibilities, and also social and community advantages, which, in turn, can improve overall life satisfaction. Keep learning to discover new purpose shutterstock/Speedkingz You can take this even further: nourish a love for learning by learning about learning. In other words, think about how you can become more receptive to the lessons we can learn from everyday things. And always be willing to share what you learn – you never know who you will inspire. 6. If you were gone tomorrow… Life is short and unpredictable, and this is one of the things that makes humans wonder what's the purpose of our existence. We’re here today but may be gone tomorrow, so finding a purpose and being remembered for our contribution is important to many of us. If that's the case, what would you like to be remembered for? Thinking about what you would like to have inscribed on your tombstone can give you an insight into what you want to do in life, and therefore what could bring meaning to your life. If this is too big a question, make it doable by imagining your life is split into seasons, just like the calendar year. What would you like to be remembered for during this season of your life? 7. Stronger relationships Researchers have found a link between pro-social behaviour, compassion, and empathy and our ability to live happier and more meaningful lives. And there’s also evidence that a strong feeling of belonging increases meaningfulness. So make time every day to build deeper relationships with others. One way to do this is through volunteering. Genuine altruism creates a sense of being worthy and useful. In other words, it gives us purpose. This happens because giving improves the quality of our relationships, and since we’re social beings, this reaffirms our purpose in life. How to uncover meaning in life: look inside yourself We all want to know how to find meaning in life – the good news is we don’t have to look far. Meaning and purpose are already within us. We only need to build a conscious appreciation for our surroundings, who we were, who we are, and our loved ones. This will give us a solid grounding that can help us make sense of the world and understand the role we play in it. ● Main image: shutterstock/SSokolov happiness.com | The fine art of being: learn, practice, share Are you a happiness.com member yet? Sign up for free now to enjoy: ■ our happiness magazine with practical life tips ■ share and support others in our happiness forum ■ develop with free online classes in our happiness Academy Purpose of life | Anxiety | Resilience | Motivation Written by Dee Marques A social sciences graduate with a keen interest in languages, communication, and personal development strategies. Dee loves exercising, being out in nature, and discovering warm and sunny places where she can escape the winter.

From mutual support and solidarity to a sense of belonging, there are many ways 'family' – including our own chosen tribe – can help us. So, if you're asking 'why is family important for happiness?', Dee Marques has six key reasons to explain just that... Family is one of the building blocks of society, and so its structure and role reflect social changes. Over the past 30 years, the traditional family unit has evolved significantly. Right now there isn’t a single concept of family that applies universally. But although family structure may have changed, its importance has not. In fact, there are many reasons why family is important for happiness. Sure, we can’t choose our “blood” family. In most cases, family interactions are a mix of great and not-so-great experiences. But we can make up for that by choosing our “adopted” family members, a tribe of people who aren’t related to us, but who show support and prove they’re there for us so we don’t feel lost in times of need. Indeed, blood isn’t always thicker than water. As someone who spent most of her life away from relatives, I learned that actions speak louder than words (or rather, than blood ties). Over the years I’ve been able to count on the support of people who were unrelated to me, in different countries and through different life stages. My family wasn’t always there, but being close to “my tribe” helped me push through tough times. This has been defining in my own quest for well-being, so in this article we'll look at why family is essential for happiness and the benefits of having a close relationship with our loved ones. Why is family important for happiness: what science says One of the reasons why family is necssary for happiness is because it (usually) provides financial stability in our early years. Having our basic needs covered is crucial when it comes setting the basis for a happy life. But studies show that the link between family and happiness extends beyond money or possessions. Researchers followed up hundreds of families for a decade and found that the quality of family bonds mattered more to overall happiness than income. Family units have evolved shutterstock/wavebreakmedia All over the world, researchers found that support is one of the reasons why family is important for happiness. And this support goes both ways: according to a study, nearly 70 per cent of parents depend on their children for emotional support. And research shows that knowing someone has your back can counter stress, depressive symptoms, and low self-esteem. The sibling relationships is especially important to emotional well-being. In one survey, more than 60 per cent of participants said their sibling was their best friend. Evolutionary biologists say that this could be because we share half our genes, so we’re predisposed to closeness and we respond positively to it. But depending on our background, there could be some differences in how family contributes to happiness. RELATED: Toxic siblings – how to recognise and deal with them A cultural perspective As I wrote in a previous article, the concept of happiness varies across cultures, and so does the “recipe” for it. Family is a central to happiness in every culture, but in some countries this is more profound. Family ties often have a stronger weight in collectivist cultures, those where the well-being of society is above the individual. For example, in Mexico, a World Values Survey found that nearly 95 per cent of those interviewed considered family very important in life. Mexicans rank family as one of the most trust-inspiring institutions and a source of emotional, financial and practical support. “All over the world, researchers found that support is one of the reasons why family is important for happiness.” In India, also known for its collectivist culture, many important life decisions are taken in consultation with family members. The boundaries between self and relatives are somehow blurred, so the common view is that a happy and complete individual can only exist within the family unit. • FIND YOUR TRIBE! Sign-up to happiness.com and connect to a caring community • When answering the question 'why is family important for happiness?', we can also look at Western societies. In the US, a survey showed that more than 70 per cent of participants said family was crucial to their identity. The link between healthy family ties and identity is also strong in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, where parent-child relationships are meant to facilitate independence, individual responsibility, and promote the development of healthy identities. But, regardless of our cultural background, there are (at least) six reasons why family is important for happiness: 6 reasons why family is important for happiness 1. Mutual support and solidarity The people we consider family foster a sense of reciprocity, dependability and mutual reliance. Caring for our loved ones and being looked after by them brings a rewarding sense of achievement. 2. A shelter from the outside world Healthy families are a place of refuge from problems and offer a safety network when things go wrong. Think about the boost you get when it’s hard to cope with life’s hurdles and you spend time doing something fun with your loved ones. And it’s more than a feeling: studies found that quality leisure time with our family can fight off and manage stress. Support and shelter: two reasons why family is important shutterstock/Monkey Business Images 3. Encouragement A UK study showed that the encouragement of parents and grandparents was the main reason why teenagers got involved in altruistic cases. And the link between altruism and greater well-being is well documented – you probably know that it’s good to be good. RELATED: The power of kindness 4. Unconditional love and support Knowing that you have a network of people you can always count on benefits our physical and emotional health. Our “tribe” accepts us for who we are, which is key to a positive self-concept. And research shows that the benefits go both ways, to those giving and those receiving love and support. 5. Shared experiences We’re all in this together, and that helps us build stronger connections and enrich our appreciation for others. Studies show that shared experiences can amplify the effect of positive emotions. Even remembering shared experiences can give a boost to our well-being. 6. A sense of belonging Here’s one last reason why family is important for happiness. Researchers compared people with and without a strong sense of belonging. The results were clear: those who felt they belonged to a supportive group reported being happier. According to psychologists, belonging is a primal need, and meeting this need helps us be more resilient – and happier too. RELATED: Building resilience – 5 strategies for thriving As you can see, there’s much to be won from building strong and meaningful relationships with our loved ones, whether they’re relatives or “adopted” family members. So why not take a minute to think about what can you do today to show them your support? ● Why is your family important to you? We'd love to hear your comments below. Or why not start a thread in our relationships and friendships forum? happiness.com | The fine art of being: learn, practise, share Are you a happiness.com member? Sign up for free now to: ■ enjoy our happiness magazine ■ share and support in our happiness forum ■ develop with free online Academy courses Kindness | Motivation | Learning | Altruism Written by Dee Marques A social sciences graduate with a keen interest in languages, communication, and personal development strategies. Dee loves exercising, being out in nature, and discovering warm and sunny places where she can escape the winter.

The news agenda is still being dominated by Coronavirus, but let's remember that there are still great things happening around the globe. Ed Gould shares his Top Ten round-up from March to uplift and inspire you. The world went through a big change in April as many countries around the world adjusted to a new way of living. Of course, much of the mainstream media only carried stories relating to the global pandemic but there were many other stories of hope and happiness, too. Here are our Top 10 from the month. 1. Plants are all of a glow, according to science The Guardian and many other media outlets reported the happy news that plants can be made to glow in the dark. Scientists from Imperial College London have come up with a commercial means of engineering plants so they will emit light as they grow. This potentially means that we could use less electrical lights in our homes in the future and rely on house plants instead. The technique uses the same sort of bioluminescence found in certain species of fungi to make glow-in-the-dark foliage. 2. Global surge in turtle activity Turtles all over the world are taking to beaches in greater numbers. It seems that the reduction in people visiting the sandy beaches turtles choose to lay their eggs in has meant an increase in females have come ashore to do just that. Reports from all over the world have suggested that turtle numbers will be on the rise in the foreseeable future because currently people are not disturbing these marine creatures. According to David Godfrey, executive director of the Sea Turtle Conservancy, the rise in turtle activity is directly related to the recent changes in human behaviour. Flippin' good: turtles are coming ashore more shutterstock/Neophucket 3. Contact lens technology could help those with diabetes Medical technology is often used to assess chronic conditions and this is certainly the case with diabetes. In a novel twist, a biocompatible polymer has been deployed on contact lenses for the first time to give those living with diabetes some real insight into their blood sugar levels. Rather than taking a kit out to check themselves, people can use the technology simply by blinking. The lenses will allow for up-to-the-minute assessments to be made with ease. 4. Mindfulness linked to forgiveness by science The scholarly journal Emotions published a new paper on MBSR techniques and their links to forgiveness and forgiving attitudes in April. According to PsyPost, the study, which was conducted by a professor at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands, focused on the way mindfulness can play a big part in our interpersonal relationships. The study discovered that people who listened to guided mindful-attention instructions went on to show higher levels of forgiveness regarding past offences than a sample group. RELATED: How to practise forgiveness 5. Poll finds people love working from home A survey undertaken in India, the UK, Brazil, Germany, the US, Australia and New Zealand has found that most office employees prefer working from home. The temporary requirement in many places to do so has meant some adjustments but, according to the New York Post, two-thirds of respondents liked the fact that they were spending less time and money commuting. The OnePoll survey also found that most people liked the flexibility it offered as well as the environmental benefits it has brought about. When work works: home office shutterstock/Rido 6. Coal use for electrical power on the wane Coal is one of the worst fossil fuels for the amount of carbon it releases into the environment. In April, coal-powered electrical production hit an all-time low in the UK according to reports in the British press. What was less widely reported was the fact that within seven days of one another, both Austria and Sweden closed their remaining coal-powered electrical plants for good. According to Inhabitat, both countries have achieved this feat ahead of target. Belgium has already gone coal-free and France looks set to be the next major economy to finally end coal use by 2022. 7. Alzheimer's treatment developed in the form of a spray A report in Interesting Engineering suggested that a Japanese team may have come up with a very innovative way of treating the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The idea is to focus on a protein in the brain known as the tau protein. In people with dementia, this protein is known to build up. The researchers added the protein to a harmless virus and gave it to mice in the form of a nasal spray. Instead of accumulating, the tau proteins were identified as a threat by the mice's immune systems. This, it is hoped, will mean a treatment for people can soon be developed which will work in a similar way. RELATED: Cognitive impairment – 5 ways to reduce the risks as you age 8. Breakthrough means good news for US coral reefs According to CNN, for the first time the Florida Aquarium has been able to grow a coral outside of its natural environment. Specifically, the biologists there have reproduced a ridged cactus coral in a tank under human care. The reefs around Florida have faced major disease over recent years and it's hoped that growing corals in this way will help to save them for future generations, perhaps allowing for them to be released back into the wild. 9. Mindfulness helps to avoid sporting injuries There may not have been much sport going on in April but that hasn't stopped a team of researchers from Dundee in Scotland, Tehran in Iran and Springfield in the US from working on how mindfulness can be linked to fewer sports injuries. Their work focused on elite footballers aged between 16 and 19. It found that if mindfulness techniques are incorporated into the training schedule, the outcome is fewer injuries on the field. Amazingly, as many as 40 per cent fewer injuries were found in those who took part in mindfulness training compared with those who did not. Mindfulness can reduce sporting injuries shutterstock/Monkey Business Images 10. Antibodies become the focus in mental health research Conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder have been treated in a variety of ways over the years but research into them has rarely focused on things like antibodies in the same way that a viral infection might be. That said, researchers are now looking into the role certain antibodies play in mental health. Scientists from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Roehampton have recently published their findings into a protein called Immuno-moodulin which is known to be associated with Obsessive Complusive Disorder. They found that anxiety could be reduced if antibodies were present that could deal with the protein effectively, offering hope to sufferers of many different conditions. ● Main image: shutterstock/Sathianpong Phookit What's your favourite feel-good news story from the past month? We'd love to hear your what you think below. Written by Ed Gould Ed Gould is a UK-based journalist and practitioner of Reiki.