Today is International Day of Happiness. Marchelle Abrahams tells you how to join the joyride.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. Even if you’re not depressed, there is a chance that you’re not happy.
The rise of the mindfulness movement, the proliferation of New Age self-help gurus and the popularity of TED Talks along with the staple supply of motivational reading available, suggest the pursuit of happiness is an on-going search in the lives of millions.
With the pressures of modern living, one surely needs to actively think and seek one’s own bliss, which is why we are happy for International Day of Happiness, March 20, initiated by United Nations adviser Jayme Illien in 2012.
To mark Happiness Day, we’ve gone in search of five feel-good experts you need to know:
Jen Sincero
Recently there’s been a shift from self-help towards self-care quests. New York Times best-selling author and motivational coach Jen Sincero is leading the pack, teaching her followers to live a more authentic life.
Jen Sincero
She’s spent years helping people transform their daily lives. Her book You Are a Badass: How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness And Start Living has won over even some of her fiercest critics by “encouraging them to embrace their awesomeness, give fear the heave-ho, and start kicking some serious ass”.
Visit: jensincero.com
Mel Robbins
Robbins’s tagline is “become the person you want to be”, and she should know a thing or two about this.
Not only is she one of the world’s most sought-after motivational speakers, she’s a trusted global brand; and her TED Talk on "How to stop screwing yourself over" has had over 10 million page views.
Not bad for a woman who started her career as a criminal defence lawyer.
Her international best-seller, 5 Second Rule, has earned cult status by explaining how you can transform your life in just 5 seconds.
Visit: melrobbins.com
Anita Moorjani
In 2006 Anita Moorjani fell into a coma after a four-year battle with cancer. While doctors attended to her, she claims she had a near-death experience that caused her to discover one of life’s greatest truths: heaven is not a destination; it’s a state of being. After gaining consciousness, she was in remission and free of the disease in weeks.
In her book Dying To Be Me, Anita Moorjani makes the case that we are spiritual beings having a human experience.
It has been her life’s mission to tell her story and to spread her message.
In her book Dying To Be Me, she makes the case that we are spiritual beings having a human experience, and that we are all One.
Visit: anitamoorjani.com
Andy Cope
Cope describes himself as a “professional trainer, qualified teacher, author and learning junkie”. And he’s just recently completed a doctorate at the University of Loughborough into the science of happiness and positivity.
Andy Cope
His book, Happiness: Your Route Map To Inner Joy, explores life’s big questions. He breaks it down to include funny anecdotes, but also practical when dealing with changing gear, focus and new perspectives.
Visit: www.artofbrilliance.co.uk
Mark Berber
Toronto-based psychiatrist Mark Berber uses happiness therapy with patients who often suffer from debilitating mental health disorders such as severe depression and schizophrenia.
Mark Berber
According to him, happiness comes down to nurturing a subjective sense of well-being.
His 7 tips to happiness:
- Nurture healthy relationships.
- Become a pet owner.
- Say thank-you and be thankful.
- Be kind and volunteer.
- Forgive and let go.
- Exercise.
- Find meaning and engagement in your life.
Visit: www.drberber.com