Roots of Happiness

Words are the strongest form of communication humans have and they carry deep meaning. Just as certain words convey happiness and can be uplifting, others can cause sadness, anger, embarrassment, anxiety, fear, helplessness, or solitude. Finding “light in the deepest, darkest corners” of the English language, lexicographer and etymologist Susie Dent highlights 100 happy words […]

International Day of Happiness is celebrated each March 20th “to recognize the importance of well-being and happiness in the lives of people and to promote the idea that policy objectives should strive for a more inclusive equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all […]

“Well-being can be defined, measured, and taught. Well-being includes positive emotions, intense engagement, good relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.” That is the thought behind Positive Psychology and the more constructive aspects of human nature. Although people such as psychologists Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Erich Fromm invented and used the term “positive psychology,” and celebrated mentally […]

March 20th is International Happiness Day. It’s definitely a day to celebrate!  Aside from all the uplifting news that we report at The Good Times, more reasons to be cheerful and optimistic on this International Day of Happiness include: 9 out of 10 people now live free from extreme poverty Almost 90% of the global […]

In these tense times of COVID-19, some simple suggestions to relieve stress are welcome. Here are 10 good tips: Let your creativity run wild: if you’ve always wanted to paint, write, or compose, now’s the time. Structure and plan your daily life (getting up, taking a shower, having breakfast, starting your work day, going grocery […]

Bhutan – the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” (or Druk Yul in Bhutanese) – is a small landlocked country in Eastern Asia, on the edge of the Himalayas. The kingdom’s government, presiding over about 770,000 people, has but one aim – ensuring that its citizens are happy and well. To do so, it has created […]

“Our generosity is hard-wired to the reward mechanisms in our brains. When we give our time, energy and kindness to others, it not only helps them, it’s also great for our wellbeing too,” according to Action for Happiness, a movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. Take Kazi Mannan, for example. […]

March 20th is International Day of Happiness. Join the movement to celebrate this day. According to the official website, the theme this year is: Share Happiness If you join, you’ll receive: happiness ideas to share, action ideas for children, the World Happiness Report, life-changing local action ideas, and the Happiness Guidebook. Take action to support the International Day of Happiness.

What Comes Easier to Write About – Happiness or Misery? By Carol Vorvain, reproduced with permission from Writers Boon “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” That’s what Leo Tolstoy, one of the greatest writers of all time, tells us at the beginning of “Anna Karenina.” But is it […]

Do you live in an urban setting? If so, consider planting a rooftop garden. Besides the decorative benefit, roof plantings can provide fresh food, contact with nature and beauty, habitats or corridors for wildlife, noise absorption, recreational opportunities, cooling mechanisms, hydrological advantages and less pollution. What’s more, large-scale adoption could even have ecological benefits. Nine good reasons to […]