don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

In recent weeks, there have been several essays at this site about the nature of happiness in general, and the role of happiness as part of REAL wellness. Real wellness is an ambitious and profoundly beneficial mindset, philosophy and lifestyle. REAL wellness is devoted to a high quality of living. This quality of life orientation sets REAL wellness apart from more limited attempts at most companies to encourage employees to reduce risks, better manage their health and get tested for one possible problem or another. All these are fine steps and useful elements in traditional worksite wellness programs, but quite limited in scope when compared with the next generation of wellness—the REAL variety focused on reason, exuberance and liberty. 

How are YOU doing in the happiness area? How much do you know about the art and science of happiness? Here's a little test I created to peak your interest in this topic. There are only ten questions—it might take two minutes to check the ten boxes, unless you ponder one or more of the questions in a deep, pensive fashion. However, these are easy, simple questions—deep thinking should not be necessary.

Ready? Here is my little REAL wellness happiness test. Please check the T (true) or F (false) block at the end of each of the ten short questions. T of course only means "more true than false"; F the opposite. 

When you complete the last question, move on for a short discussion of what the happiness experts think are correct answers to each of the queries.  

1. Circumstances over which we have some influence account for about 15 percent of our sense of being happy.      T___F___
   
   
2. Personality and temperament are mostly beyond our choosing.      T___F___
   
   
3. Success, achievement and good fortune bring short-lived paroxysms of happiness but not sustained levels of happiness.      T___F___
   
   
4. Natural good looks are not linked with happiness.      T___F___
   
   
5. Beyond a low level, money is not a big factor.      T___F___
   
   
6. Educational level is not so important.      T___F___ 
   
   
7. Older people are happier than the young.      T___F___ 
   
   
8. Intelligence is not linked to happiness.      T___F___
   
   
9. Volunteer and charity work generate happiness, but not as much as dancing.      T___F___
   
   
10. Worksite REAL wellness programs foster happier employees who become stronger and better looking with higher morale, superior bowel movements, more antibodies to resist illness, tax exempt and able to get better gas mileage.      T___F___

The first nine statements are true.

No research has been done or books written about the last question. I admit I made that up. Sometimes I exaggerate. I think REAL worksite wellness makes for happy employees, but who really knows?

What do YOU think? More on what I think next time (May 29).

Meanwhile, be well, work at being happy and always look on the bright side of life.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MENTAL DOMAIN under the skill area of emotional intelligence. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

 Send e-mail to Don Ardell