I recently attended a workshop called Happiness Matters by Rachel Brozenske. She outlined the extensive research that shows it not only feels good to pursue happiness, it also improves your health, increases job productivity, strengthens your relationships and lengthens your life. There are four steps that help you move toward happiness. Seek activity that:
1. Is pleasurable without being harmfully addictive to your body or to others.
2. Creates a sense of flow -- you enjoy yourself so much you lose track of time.
3. Has meaning.
4. Creates connection with others.
Pleasure at work:
I found that many activities in my job meet the four requirements. I like talking to physicians about their career plans: the course work they need, the volunteer work they must do to get management experience and how their spouse might react to a required move. I did that for my pediatrician husband who wanted to be a medical director, so I know emotions run high. I enjoy the risks associated with teaching something new, especially when the experience is well-received. These pleasures balance out the stress of never having an empty email box for more than a few minutes.
Pleasure away from work:
Quilting is a new hobby for me. When I quilt, I follow directions and put together pieces I don’t understand. When I turn over the finished block, it is beautiful in ways I could not see as I was putting it together. Three hours can pass and I don’t notice until nature calls. I find connection and meaning by taking quilting classes. It’s the first time I have sat with a group of women where no one complains about husbands and children—just quilting talk.
In this time of enormous stress in health care, it is important to think about taking care of yourself.
What do you do at work or away from work that makes you happy?
