Action 5: Encourage other supports cont.
The 10 Keys to Happier Living In 2011, global not-for-profit organisation Action for Happiness, which describes itself as ‘a movement of people taking action for a happier and kinder world’, was launched. It’s aim is to reduce poor mental health. As part of the launch, positive psychology expert Vanessa King led the development of the evidence-based 10 Keys to Happier Living, represented by the acronym GREAT DREAM. Scientific research suggests we can take practical action in these areas to boost our wellbeing and to help prevent depression and anxiety (132). The set of strategies incorporates the Five Ways to Wellbeing, and includes a further five more ‘internal’ areas. The ten keys are:
– Giving: Do kind things for others. – Relating: Connect with people. – Exercising: Take care of your body. – Awareness: Live life mindfully. – Trying out: Keep learning new things. – Direction: Have goals to look forward to.
– Resilience: Find ways to recover from setbacks. – Emotions: Look for things that make you feel good. – Acceptance: Be comfortable with who you are. – Meaning: Be part of something bigger. King says: “Different things work for different people at different times, so we need a menu rather than a prescription of actions.” (132)
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