VISN 2: Veterans' Wellness, Spring 2007

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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2

Spring 2007

Be Happier Now!!

Grandfather playing with dog and granddaughter

Share Your Joy!
What makes you happy? Do you have an activity you do when you’re bored or feeling down that lifts your spirits?

If so, we’d like to hear about it. Send your comments to Veterans’ Wellness editor Kathleen Hider. Include your name and hometown, and we may publish your responses in the summer issue.

Learn the Secrets to
Creating a Life Filled with Joy

Some people are just naturally happy, while others have to work at it. In the past, psychologists believed everyone had a “set point” for happiness — that you can only be as happy as your personality allows. Today, researchers in the growing field of positive psychology say that’s not the case. A review of studies on mood from the past 20 years pinpoints five key areas where people can actively improve their outlook: hope, zest, curiosity, gratitude and love.

“Every day, we have opportunities to engage in things that make us feel hopeful, give us a zest for life, pique our curiosity, express our gratitude or perform loving acts,” says Mary Schohn, Ph.D., clinical care coordinator for VA Healthcare Upstate New York. “Just doing things that get you up and moving can go a long way toward making you feel better.”

Simple action steps you can take to be happier now include:

Get some fresh air. As the weather gets warmer, make it a point to get outside and enjoy the spring air. If you can, visit a local park or wildlife center, such as Howe Caverns, Letchworth Park, the Finger Lakes region or Watkins Glen. Spending time outdoors, especially on a beautiful day, is a sure fix for a bad mood.

Take a walk. It will boost your endorphins, brain chemicals that improve your mood and outlook. Studies on depression show exercise can make people feel better mentally and physically.

Pet a dog. Animals have a soothing effect on our psyche, which is why dogs are often used for therapy in hospitals and community living centers. Plus, studies show pet owners are happier and often healthier than people without pets. If your living situation doesn’t allow for pets, “adopt” a friend’s, neighbor’s or family member’s pet to play with.

Pick up an old hobby. Get back into practicing woodworking, playing cards, putting together puzzles, cooking, fixing cars, doing needlework or participating in any other hobby you abandoned. Do a search on the Internet, visit your local library or bookstore, or watch TV specials for more ideas or classes in your area. Engaging in activities you once enjoyed can help you reclaim your old passions.

Start a garden. Spring is coming. Go to your local garden store. Most offer free classes on how to start plants from seed, how to get your soil ready for gardening or how to grow vegetables. Don’t forget farmers’ markets.

Be a mentor. Share your unique knowledge and perspective with someone young, such as your grandchildren, a niece or nephew, a neighbor or a teen from your church or community. You may be surprised at how much you can learn from them, too.

Learn new skills. At VA rehabilitation services, you can learn a new trade or embark on a new career. For more information, call Kevin O’Hagan at 585-393-7732.

Be musical. If you enjoy singing or playing an instrument, join a community band, church choir or pops orchestra. If you play the trumpet or another brass instrument, participate in Echo Taps on May 19. For more information, visit www.echotaps.org

Join a group. Engaging in group activities can boost your social network. A study published in Psychological Science found people who are the happiest tend to be more social. Look for groups in the community that share your interests.

Vary your routine. Don’t get stuck in a rut. Drive a different route, eat at a different restaurant or just take a day off to do things you enjoy but never have the time for.

Be a volunteer. Helping other people is a surefire fix for forgetting your own problems. Ask for volunteer opportunities in your church, community center or local VA medical center.

Try something new. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never tried? There’s no time like the present. Whether it’s learning a new activity, trying a new recipe or going someplace you’ve never gone before, doing something different will give you a fresh outlook and something to look forward to.

Treat yourself. Splurge on something special for yourself. Whether it’s a new tool or toy, a dinner out at a nice restaurant or your favorite dessert, do something good for yourself! You deserve it!

Make a list. Feeling bored or overwhelmed? Keeping a list of things to do and crossing them off when they’re done will give you a feeling of order and accomplishment.

Reach out. If you’re feeling alone and isolated, pick up the phone and call a family member or friend. Make plans to get together with other people.

Count your blessings. Make a list of all the things you’re grateful for. Start with the little things and work your way up to the big things. Continue to add to the list and refer to it often.

Write a letter. Put your feelings of appreciation on paper. Send a thank-you card when someone does something nice for you. Write a note to a friend or loved one detailing things you admire about him or her.

Reviewed/Updated Date: April 17, 2007