Mary Ellen P. Riley

WHISK TOGETHER.COM

Thriving Moms, Happy Families

Recognize setting goals leads to happier people.

Our thoughts and words effect our happiness.

The importance of staying focused on the goal of happiness.

Happy people are smarter and more creative.

Happy people have more stable and happy marriages.

Happy people make more money. Happy people are healthier and live

longer.

I'm a Millionaire!

-Emeals.com-Molly Maids-Green Envy Lawn Care-Babysitting Swap

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.Albert Einstein

The Nun Study (Danner et al., 2001)

• Only positive feelings predicted longevityAge 85:90% of most cheerful quartile alive;

34% of least cheerful quartile alive.

Age 94: 54% of most cheerful quartile alive; 11% of least cheerful quartile alive

Suggested goal: 3 – 5 things you can try.

As a goal, try to secretly serve someone each day. Write an anonymous thank you note to

someone you admire.Pick up trash along a trail or road.Look for a chance to serve in a group.

Write about your service in your diary.

Many studies demonstrate that people who smile more are better liked.

Practice giving sincere compliments as you smile. Put a pencil in your teeth and keep your lips from

touching it, then watch a “comedy” that isn’t really funny ( e.g., Friends). It will seem much funnier to you.

Erik Giltay in Holland followed 999 older men and women for ten years

The upper third in optimism had half the heart attacks of the bottom third!

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Heartattacks

Giltay, E.J., Geleijnse, J.M., Aitman, F.G., Hoekstra, T., & Schouten, E.,G. (2004). Dispositional optimism and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in an elderly cohort of Dutch men and women. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61, 1126-1135.

Optimism vs. Pessimism

Optimism in women reduced the risk of breast cancer by 25%

Children exposed to excessive levels of stress before age 12 have 30% higher chance of developing cancer as an adult

Peled, R. (2008) Breast Cancer, Psychological Distress and Life Events among Young Women. BMC Cancer (8:245)

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/301/are-we-happy-yet

Your hopes and dreams are within your reach.

If you dream it you can do it! Invest in Good social relationships Optimism. Self-Confidence. Wait long enough, and people will

surprise you and impress you.