Happier and Healthier

The Happier and Healthier workshops were created to increase the wellbeing of people, by sharing some of the theory and practice of positive psychology, positive health, positive interventions, gratitude, and the benefits of physical activity. The workshops explore the benefits that one can obtain by keeping a blessings journal and engaging in regular physical activity. Workshop participants reacted enthusiastically to the presentations, group discussions and exercises using blessings journals and walking. Participants expressed their appreciation and described the benefits they had received from the workshops. Some described a newfound ability to see and reframe events in a more positive light. All participants said they felt better able to cope with life’s events as a result of what they had learned in the workshops and from each other. The participants and presenter formed a support group to follow up on each other’s progress in practicing writing in blessings journals as well as engaging in physical activity. The implications of these workshops are that many more people in our communities would welcome and benefit from learning more about positive interventions they can use to increase their happiness.