Moments

Experts share online the ways to achieve 'Good Mood'

'Good Mood' can infect people around us and make family life more pleasant. Experts were invited to the 'Good Mood Everyday' seminar held recently to share ways of how to achieve happiness through appreciating others and showing gratitude. Speakers also shared ingenious ways to teach children as well as how to use the eyes, ears, mouth, hands, body, brain and heart to facilitate communication between couples.

Happiness starts from appreciation

Experienced social worker and motivational columnist Ms Chiang Wai-yu has a formula for achieving happiness: regardless of circumstances, you can achieve happiness as long as you are willing to change your thinking, beliefs and attitudes. She pointed out that love of kinship, friendship and romance can all help people feel happy. Spreading universal love and naturally showing concern for others can also help one achieve even greater happiness. Therefore, we should be grateful and treasure everything we have. There is no need to envy others of the things they possess which you don't have. By putting aside this jealousy mindset, one can live happier and more contentedly. Meanwhile, she also encouraged members to take the initiative to find happiness in life and shared the following tips on achieving happiness:

Mindful Eating Go through the training of 'eating raisins slowly': Learn to be thankful and appreciative of life from every slow act such as slowly chewing a raisin, observing the appearance of the raisin, sniffing the smell of the raisin and enjoying the taste of the raisin.
Achieve happiness by being thankful
  • Being thankful means to focus on what you have while jealousy focuses on things which others have but I do not have. We should learn how to be grateful for all the things we have.
  • Start writing a Gratitude Diary and record all the events that you are thankful for.
Happiness starts from appreciation
  • Learn to appreciate one another to better maintain family relationships.
  • Express appreciation for your family by playing the 'Appreciation Game'. Let them know what you admire about them or the things they have done that you appreciate. This game will help you always remember the good things about your family members.
Formula for happiness
  • Happiness = 50% Biological Set Point + 10% Circumstances + 40% Voluntary Control.
  • Regardless of circumstances, you can achieve happiness as long as you learn to change your thinking, beliefs and attitudes.
Love can help us achieve happiness

Find happiness in love

  • Find happiness in kinship, friendship and romance: Treasure the different kinds of love we have.
  • Find happiness in universal love: Show more concern for people around you, show your love for others and help them achieve happiness.
  • Find happiness in playing: Recognize the importance of playing and rekindle fun times from the past by taking time to play childhood games with your family in your leisure time.
Blissful family life

Psychiatry specialist Dr Mak Wing-chit, Ivan emphasized that providing children with a sense of security is the most effective way of parenting. Frequently threatening your children as a means to communicate with them is self-defeating. The relationship between parents can also affect children's perception of their spouse or the opposite sex when they grow up. A good husband and wife relationship can help set a good example for the children.

Providing your children with a sense of security
  • Let your children know that they are important and you are paying attention to them.
  • Avoid being over-protective or making unreasonable demands.
TIME OUT Let children reflect on their mistakes in a safe environment when they have done something wrong. Parents should stand quietly at one corner and observe them. This can provide a sense of security to the children.
TIME IN Show appreciation, encouragement and support when children perform well.
The relationship with your husband/wife is an example for your children

Good communication depends on eyes, ears, mouth, body and mind:

  • Observe one another's feelings with your eyes
  • Listen patiently with your ears
  • Express your feelings with your mouth
  • Set an example by initiating personal communication
  • Respect each other's opinions from the bottom of your heart and reaffirm each other's feelings
Dr Ivan Mak gives tips to parents on how they can communicate effectively with their children
Ms Chiang Wai-yu shares tips on having a happy family
Endless laughter as members and their family members enjoy the 'Appreciation' game at the seminar