Celebrate Hunt for Happiness Week

Hunt for Happiness Week: January 19–25, 2014

One surefire way to beat the winter blues and blahs this season is to join the Secret Society of Happy People as they celebrate the 13th annual Hunt for Happiness Week, January 19-25.

This year in particular, people of all ages from children to senior citizens should join in the celebration as a way to chase cheerfulness. Why? Because this year the annual celebration happens to include a day some refer to as Blue Monday, “the most depressing day of the year”. Blue Monday is said to land on January 20 this year. The original date was mathematically calculated in 2005 by Dr. Cliff Arnall a researcher at Cardiff University.

Mr. Arnall created his formula for the most depressing day of the year by working six distinct factors into the equation: weather conditions (gloomy old January and its typical lack of sunshine), debt level and our ability to pay that debt, time elapsed since Christmas, time elapsed since failing our New Year’s resolutions, our general seasonal motivational levels, and our need to take action and to have something to look forward to. Do note however, this formula is not an exact science. And the good news is: if a Blue Monday really exists, being aware of it helps us combat any sad feelings the day may bring.

Beat seasonal sadness. Ways to Celebrate Hunt for Happiness Week

The Secret Society of Happy People website offers a number of suggested ways to celebrate Hunt for Happiness Week.

Hunt for Happiness Week Ideas:

• Hunt for Happiness Week Activities
  Sign up to receive an e-mail newsletter that contains Hunt for Happiness Week activities. Activities will be e-mailed to you daily.
• Start Collecting Something that Makes You Happy.
  For example, begin a rock, coin, doll, angel — whatever makes you smile — collection. Hunt for these things that appeal to you and surround yourself with them. Your environment will then bring moments of happiness.
• Create a “Happy Space” in your home or workspace.
  Use colors that you love, add a candle of your favorite scent, music that makes you feel good and any decorations and textures that bring a smile to your face. Surround yourself with happiness.
• Become Childlike.
  Think back to what you loved to do as a child and do it. For instance, if you enjoyed coloring, buy a coloring book and new crayons, ride a carousel or swing. Sing your favorite children’s song (with a CD or bring out the old record player), and visit the children’s library and reread your old favorites.
• Play with your children or grandchildren
  Get them involved in Hunt for Happiness Week
• Most important, have fun hunting for and creating happy moments!

At Alternatives for Seniors, we’re looking forward to

celebrating Hunt for Happiness Week.

Alternatives for Seniors is a print and online directory that specifically caters to the housing and personal care concerns of senior citizens and their families since 1992. Call our Senior Specialists at (888) WE-ASSIST (888-932-7747) or visit the Alternatives for Seniors website to begin searching for the perfect home for you or your loved ones. Also, be sure to join our Facebook community and follow us on Twitter.

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BLOG Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Writer: Ryan Allen