Spread a little happiness at work

In the spirit of the season, and recognising the pressures on the primary healthcare team, why not grab yourself a little daily happiness and download the free Happy for Life app.

“Discover an easy way to be happier every day with the free Happy for Life app from the Guardian.
Take your pick of daily, simple activities that will boost your mood, and keep track of which make you happiest.”

You can also check out the Guardian’s Ten keys to happier living.

Or how about Doing Well from the Inside Out  – a new programme developed by Action for Happiness to help build well-being and resilience in organisations.

“Why does happiness matter?”  you hear Scrooge ask? According to Mark Williamson, Director of Action for Happiness, the scientific evidence is compelling. Amongst the examples – doctors who are happy have been found to make faster diagnoses.

 “The pursuit of happiness is not some fluffy nice-to-have or middle-class luxury” he says. Rather, “it’s about helping people to live better lives and creating a society that is more productive, healthy and cohesive.  As Aristotle said: Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”

Action for happiness has also developed a “Practical Ideas for Happier Living Course” as a new way to promote mental wellbeing in local communities. They are training people to deliver this within Public Health/the NHS to people with mild to moderate depression and anxiety issues.

Happy New year to one and all,

Sue

Sue Lacey Bryant
Primary Care CPD Tutor, Health Education Thames Valley
e-mail: Sue.LaceyBryant@hee.nhs.uk