More research has shown how making the effort to be kind, smile, record three good things a day and practise mindfulness can bring happiness and fulfilment.

The most effective happiness habits are: “spreading happiness”, “three good things”, and “simply smile”, according to the Happiness Habits Experiment Report by Lucy McCarraher and Annabel Shaw, published in May.

Meanwhile, people who commit to regular mindfulness will experience more “satisfaction”, suggests research by Ashridge into whether meditation can help clients cope with the stress of leading soundly and sustainably.

Ninety per cent of individuals who committed to practising mindfulness activities, including meditation, experienced benefits such as feeling calmer (61 per cent), improved sleep (22 per cent) and having a different perspective (22 per cent). Only 52 per cent of the non-mediating group noted beneficial value from their self-chosen non-meditation activities, according to the study “Mindful leadership: Exploring the value of a meditation practice” by Emma Dolman and Dave Bond published in The Ashridge Journal (spring 2011).

The happiness study found that once embedded, happiness habits have a powerful effect, while working on three habits at a time is the ideal number to raise happiness levels.

For more information go to www.therealsecret.net/The-Experiment.html

Coaching at Work, Volume 6, Issue 4