COURTESY TOI OCT 23
How the pursuit of happiness has changed in the new normal
Saptaparna.Biswas@timesgroup.com
News about rising COVID cases, deaths, destruction and job losses certainly makes it appear like this year has snatched away our happiness completely. Yet, as humans we are programmed to find new means to an end. From taking long vacations to settling with popcorn to enjoy a movie night on the couch — we redefine happiness to suit the new normal. Experts claim that the current population has been finding joy in the most routine activities to dodge the negativity that comes as their ‘plus one’ with the pandemic. Here’s how:
FINDING JOY IN ROUTINE
“To guard themselves against spiralling into anxiety and fear of the uncertain, most people have sub-consciously trained themselves to find satisfaction and joy in small things like cooking, baking, creating art, gardening etc,” opines psychologist Shweta Dev. Even achieving their set goals for the day or month add to the happiness. “Ticking off the tasks in the checklist boosts morale, due to which they feel intrinsically motivated to create and complete more goals for the week or month. It may seem mundane on the surface, but humans have now brought down the bar of finding a sense of achievement,” Shweta adds.
TURNING TO JOURNALING AND ART
Research has indicated that penmanship — be it in the form of words or art — has been a great motivator to staying happy. Matthew Lieberman, a psychologist from University of California, studied what they called the ‘Bridget Jones effect’, about maintaining a journal. “Writing seems to help the brain regulate emotions unintentionally,” he mentions in the research. Similarly, doodling and creating art — even if it is not Instagrammable — has a cathartic effect on people.
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A MOVIE NIGHT
Cinemas in your neighbourhood may or may not open soon, but when experts say that a movie night at home can increase your happiness quotient, you’ve got to make popcorn and enjoy! “People have found an escape, a getaway from their worries and troubles, by watching films and being completely consumed by the story. That is why many are recreating the whole movie experience with their families or by themselves, just to bring some of the lost happiness back,” shares Dev.
DAILY CHORES CAN BRING HAPPINESS, TOO!
However unlikely it seems; this is backed by research! A study by Florida State University found that “people who washed dishes mindfully upped their feelings of inspiration by 25% and lowered their nervousness by 27%”. This study finds favour in the Indian context, too. Mindfulness coach Manish Behl states, “Chores like washing dishes, clothes, bathing, making simple meals, when done mindfully, can uplift your mood. It does not create happiness per se, but it drowns other negative thoughts, fears etc, which results in a visibly sprightly person.