22 Things Happy People Do Differently

in Attitude, Happiness
Tags: happiness

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This article is from Chiara Fucarino. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to address those with clinical depression or other mental illnesses.

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a person living in the slums of a third world country could be happy and content. I have spent plenty of time amongst both groups to have seen it first hand. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.
The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …
1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others.
Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth.

Get the book that will help you add these habits to your life!

Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.

Smokers cost their employers an extra £4,000 a year each, finds research

4 Jun 2013 05:00

But a consumer group hits back saying coffee breaks, personal phone calls and social media also distract employees from work.

Smokers cost their employers an extra £4,000 a year each, finds research

Smokers cost their employers the equivalent of around £4,000 more each year compared to non-smokers, according to new research.
The study, published today in the Tobacco Control journal, found that several factors linked to the habit including absenteeism and smoking breaks resulted in greater costs to businesses.
For the research, a team in the United States approximated the total costs for employers when examining these factors.
Their calculations showed that low productivity due to excess absenteeism costs employers the equivalent £344 a year per smoker, presenteeism (lower productivity while working because of nicotine addiction) costs £307 and smoking breaks cost £2,045.
Other factors, including increased annual pension costs were added, with the total additional cost to the employer estimated at £3,865 per year.
The researchers concluded: “Employees who smoke impose significant excess costs on private employers. The results of this study may help inform employer decisions about tobacco-related policies.
“It is important to remember that the costs imposed by tobacco use are not simply financial costs. It is not possible to put a price on the lost lives and the human suffering caused by smoking. The desire to help one’s employees lead healthier and longer lives should provide an additional impetus for employers to work towards eliminating tobacco from the workplace.”
The findings follow previous studies which have found that smoking by employees costs businesses money because of lost productivity and medical expenditures.
The study comes just weeks after the Welsh Government’s attempts to cut smoking rates were called into question by health campaigners after new figures showed just a 1% drop since the 2007 smoking ban.
Welsh Health Survey figures found nearly a quarter (23%) of the Welsh population still smokes – a figure that has remained static for three years, and which has only dropped by 3% in nine years.
Campaigners said that the findings of the study provided a strong argument for companies to encourage their employees to stop smoking, which they claimed would also help to lower the smoking rate in Wales.
Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in Wales, Elen de Lacy said: “These figures are not surprising and should be a wake-up call to anyone who doubts the impact that smoking has not only on health but the economy as well.
“Putting in place no-smoking policies and providing support to help staff members quit would not only improve the health of employees, but also provide an economic benefit for businesses.
“We know that 23% of adults currently smoke in Wales and we urgently need to ensure quit smoking services in the community are accessible to all and offer a broad range of services if we are to have any chance of meeting the Welsh Government’s aim of reducing this to 16% by 2020.”
Chris Mulholland, head of British Lung Foundation Wales, said: “Smoking is the number one cause of preventable ill-health in the UK. “Policies in the workplace must not lose sight of the fact that smoking is an addiction. What we really should be seeing is improved access to, and more innovation, in providing smoking cessation services in the workplace for those who want to give up.”
But Simon Clark, director of the consumer group Forest, which lobbies for the rights of smokers, said that for many smoking should not be factor when it came to employing individuals.
He said: “This study trots out the usual estimates and calculations. Yes, smoking is a risk to people's health but so is obesity, drinking to excess and lack of exercise.
“Many smokers believe the occasional smoking break improves rather than reduces their productivity. This is just another attempt to stigmatise smokers and encourage employers to discriminate against them.
“Non-smokers take coffee breaks, make personal phone calls and use social media at work. Should those activities be targeted too?
“Smoking should not be a factor when it comes to employing people. People should be judged on their ability to do the job, not on whether they smoke.”

FG seeks increased trade ties with Japan

June 2, 2013 by Olalekan Adetayo Leave a Comment

   

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
| credits: www.date360.net

The Federal Government on Saturday called for increased trade ties between Japan and African.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo made the call at the fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development in Yokohama, Japan.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Umar Sanni, quoted Sambo as describing increased trade as critical to sustaining economic growth.

The vice-president, who is representing President Goodluck Jonathan at the Summit, regretted the trade imbalance between Japan and Africa.

He argued that if Africa was to sustain her recent economic development, the expansion of trade within the continent and also with the rest of the world, including Japan, was critical.

“While the value of total two-way trade between Japan and ASEAN countries was over $205bn in 2012, trade between Japan and Africa was a paltry $29bn in the same period. To enhance the level of trade between Africa and Japan, therefore, there is an urgent need to promote private sector interface between Japan and Africa under TICAD,” he stated.

He, however, acknowledged the strides achieved under TICAD, since its inception in 1993, particularly in Nigeria, in the areas of rural water supply, basic education, health care delivery, rural electrification and women empowerment, among others.

Access Bank GMD, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, wins African Banker of The Year award

Sunday, 02 June 2013 18:25 Editor News - Metro

THE Group Managing Director (GMD) and Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has emerged winner of the 2013 ‘African Banker of the Year’ Award. This was disclosed at the awards ceremony organized by African Banker Awards, the publisher of African Banker Magazine, IC Events and Business in Africa Events during the yearly African Development Bank (AfDB) meetings held on Wednesday, May 29, in Marrakech, Morocco.
In its seventh edition, the African Banker Awards is one of the biggest landmark yearly events that recognize and celebrate the achievements of Africa’s banking and financial sector, bringing together over 500 key industry players and top government officials from Africa and around the world to celebrate excellence and best practices in African banking and finance.
The Access Bank Chief Executive emerged winner in the ‘African Banker of the Year’ category, which had two other Nigerian bankers - Andrew Alli, President/CEO, Africa Finance Corporation, Segun Agbaje, CEO/Managing Director, GTB Bank and other established bankers from both Mozambique and Tanzania, Joao Figueiredo, CEO and Chairman, Unico Bank; and Dr Charles Kimei, Managing Director, CRDB, as contenders.
Citing some of Aig-Imoukhuede’s achievements, an analyst said “Under his leadership, Access Bank transited from a lowly rated Nigerian bank to rank among Africa’s leading financial brands and Nigeria’s Tier 1 Banks, adding that Access Bank is the only Nigerian bank in the medium-sized category after the 2004/2005 N25 billion recapitalization that retained its brand identity and subsequently, transformed into a Tier 1 Bank”.

Non Hip-Hop Rumors: Does Bill Clinton Have A Mystery Black Son…From A Hooker? CAN THIS BE TRUE !!!!

by illseed (@illseed) and Ya Mama! 

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Aw man! This would be a really bad for Hillary if she runs for president in 2016. But, I’m going to say this is a sham from some bottom feeders! I think. Bill Clinton has had a pretty long running history of playing outside of his marriage. But, now there is a 27-year-old mixed heritage man (that means black and white) who claims that Bill is his father. Oh, and his mother is a former hooker. GREAT.
Here is the scandal-esque report. I’m not inclined to believe this with out some DNA testing to back it up.

Bill Clinton has a secret son he fathered with a hooker – and the now 27-year-old young man is desperate to meet his biological dad.
In a bombshell exclusive interview, Danney Lee Williams Jr., the love child the then-governor of Arkansas conceived with ‘working girl’ Bobbie Ann Williams, tells GLOBE he fears Clinton, 66, who’s battling heart disease and also suffers from Parkinson’s, will pass away before they can meet.
“I read he doesn’t have long to live and I want to meet him face to face before he dies,” says Danney, who lives in Little Rock Ark.
“I just want to shake his hand and say, “Hi Dad,’ before he dies. I’d like to have a relationship with Chelsea, too. She’s my half-sister.”
Danney also wants Clinton to acknowledge and meet his five children, who he says are the former President’s only grandchildren and range in age from 10 years to just 4 months old.

Study Shows That Numbers Of Working Moms Have Increased: Is That A Good Thing?

It is nearly 10:00p.m. EST which means that I can finally sit down. I’ve been up for about 16 hours now and like hundreds of thousands of other working moms like me, I get my first real break of the day once my kids are in bed. After getting the kids off to school this morning, I headed into the office where I worked a full day before returning home to make dinner, do dishes and a few loads of laundry.
Tomorrow, I get to do it all over again. Parents don’t get a break on the weekends: in my house (probably like yours) there are soccer games, dance rehearsals, field hockey and ice hockey practices to make as well as special events (my oldest daughter is running her first 5k race tomorrow as part of the amazing Girls On The Run program and my middle child is singing along with her dad on stage at Pete-apalooza). That’s not even counting our “normal” schedule that includes Pancake Sunday and “linner” (our traditional mix of lunch and dinner on Saturdays).
It’s tough, this parenting thing. Nobody tells you how tired you’ll be at the end of the day: there’s no warning about how much you’ll want to just curl up and sleep before you realize that there are still many, many things to do. You can’t be prepared for the realization that you haven’t seen a non-animated movie for goodness knows how long or that you know all of the lyrics to every single Taylor Swift song. And then there’s that moment when you realize that your oh-so-fashionable Coach purse is stuffed with sanitizing wipes and Madeline dolls.
It’s definitely not what they prepped me for in law school.
But it is the norm for more women these days. A recent report by the Pew Foundation reveals not only are the numbers for working moms up – but that mothers are now the sole or primary income provider in a record 40% of households with children – that’s nearly four times the rate from 1960. It is, as the Washington Post so aptly noted, a “sweeping change in traditional gender roles and family life over a few short decades.”
On some level, it’s to be expected. Women have made inroads into a number of nontraditional female professions (like the law): women make up almost of half (47%) of the U.S. labor force today.
Not all “breadwinner moms” – those that make the lion’s share in their households – are created equal, however. According to the study, 5.1 million (37%) are married mothers who have a higher income than their husbands, and 8.6 million (63%) are single mothers. As you probably guessed, married moms tend to outearn their single mom counterparts, nearly by a factor of four.
And while most Americans (79%) believe that it’s silly to assume that women should automatically return to “traditional roles”, we’re still conflicted about what we believe the balance should be when it comes to work and home. According to the study, about half (51%) of respondents say that children are better off if a mother is home and doesn’t hold a job. Nearly three-quarters of adults (74%) say the increasing number of women working for pay has made it harder for parents to raise children, and half say that it has made marriages harder to succeed.
But what about the money? Two-thirds of respondents say it has made it easier for families to live comfortably. We’re one of those families. My income pays for camps and sports and rehearsals – all of those things that my kids say they want to do – while my husband’s income pays the bills (mortgage, utilities, car payments and the like). Could we survive without my income? Of course we could. Would we want to? I’m not so sure.
The assumption is, of course, that women work because they have to. While there is clearly a segment of the population – as evidenced by the study – that has become dependent upon a second income, it doesn’t always follow that a second income is the result of a desperate choice. Many women, like me, work because they like what they do.
As much as I love cobbling together Revolutionary War costumes at the last minute, baking bread and making cookies – and I wouldn’t give those things up for anything – I also love my job. And as the mother of two daughters, it thrills me that they see me not only work but be genuinely enthusiastic about what I do. And yes, I’ll admit that my job isn’t terribly glamorous as far as they’re concerned: my oldest daughter was devastated when she learned that I “worked with taxes” and not “drove taxis” – which is what she told her kindergarten class – and my middle daughter was not all impressed to find that when I was on “Good Day Philadelphia”, it wasn’t to report the weather (darn that Sue Serio!) but to talk about tax season.
It’s also true that being a working mom isn’t always the financial boon that it’s painted to be. While total family income is higher when the mother, not the father, is the primary breadwinner, having a second wage earner doesn’t always provide the most advantageous tax result. Since our federal income tax system is progressive, the more money you make, the more tax you pay at the higher end.
A “secondary wage earner” – meaning the person whose income is tacked onto your family income (which statistically tends to be the mom) is taxed at the highest marginal rate. Every family who files married filing jointly pays the same rate of tax on the first $17,850 of income – that’s the 10% rate. The next $55,000 (or so) is taxed at 15%. Once you cross the $72,500 threshold, you pay 25% on the excess. The next bracket (28%) kicks up at $146,401 and so on. What that means is that while the primary breadwinner (whoever that might be in your household) is taxed at a progressive rate, the “add-on” is taxed at the highest marginal rate. That means that in a double wage earning household – especially if the wages are not equal – the primary bread winner runs up the brackets while the secondary breadwinner is taxed at the highest marginal rate. The real life result is that a paycheck of say, $50,000, in a $100,000 household is only worth about $37,500 (not taking into consideration state and local rates).
If you want to compare current figures, you can check out the 2013 rates here.
Of course, the numbers aren’t all about tax rates. The reduction due to federal taxes doesn’t take into consideration the other costs of being a working mom, namely the b word: babysitter.
Under the federal income tax laws, a regular babysitter – while a great solution for your family – can actually complicate your tax picture. As happened with my family, you can find yourself making the leap from simply being parents to being employers: for federal income tax purposes, a babysitter can be classified a household employee. That means figuring withholding and paying payroll taxes in addition to paying a salary – those numbers can quickly add up.

Whether you opt to have a babysitter or if you use out of home child care (like camp or daycare), you might qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit. But here’s another thing that nobody tells you about parenthood: that credit for child care is never as good as it sounds.
If you pay someone to watch your qualifying child or dependent (generally, a child under age 13) while you work or look for work, you can, in theory claim the Child and Dependent Care Credit. The credit is not a straightforward deduction – it is rather a percentage of the amount of expenses actually paid for care. The amount claimed can be up to 35% of your child care expenses, depending upon your income (Check out Ashlea Ebeling’s excellent piece on The ABCs Of Child Care Breaks).
It sounds terrific – a tax break for child care – but the math doesn’t always work out. The average cost of center-based daycare in the United States is $11,666 per year per child or a whopping $972 a month. Prices are even higher in metropolitan areas – up to $2,000 a month for infant care.
As the mother of three children, this means that if I work full time outside of the home, I can expect to spend at least $36,000 on child care for children who are not in school full time. Let’s assume that I make $50,000 , which is higher than the median income in the US. My entire after tax salary would go towards paying for child care. My tax credit, however, is limited to $6,000 for child care expenses. That’s because, for 2013, the cap is $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more children (apparently, the addition of a third child doesn’t phase those in Congress all that much – those folks have clearly never been to my house). You can see that, with those numbers, an additional salary could easily be eaten up in taxes and childcare.
So why work at all? Increasingly, Americans say that it’s not a good idea: only 16% say having a mother who works full time is the ideal situation for a young child. Ten years ago, a 2003 CBS News/New York Times survey found that 61% of Americans said children are better off if their mother doesn’t hold a job, while 29% said children were just as well off if their mother worked.
I’m going to have to disagree. Money aside, there can be an intangible benefit for working parents. In my case, I want my kids to understand that I like what I do, that I am valued in my field and that my worth as a person isn’t tied to just one title. My kids know that I am their mom first but they also know me as “taxgirl” – in fact, my oldest daughter made me a cool “taxgirl” pillow for Christmas. It makes me incredibly proud that she sees me work and understands that it’s important to me.
I am extremely lucky to have some pretty amazing kids. But I like to think that – money and taxes aside – that my decisions about work and family are made for the right reasons and not just about dollars. I’m not so naive to think that money isn’t important and I know that it has a big impact on my life. And realistically, right now, like many of you, with student loans and a mortgage and groceries and fill-in-the-blank with living expenses, I couldn’t easily give that up.
But all of that aside, being a mom? It’s my first and best job. Always.
–

Mouka Unveils New Range Of Products

By: Chika Izuora on June 1, 2013 - 2:01am

inShare

Leading foam and bedding manufacturing company in Nigeria, Mouka Foam Nigeria Limited, said it is diversifying its products range to maintain its market lead just as it lamented the harsh business environment which is affecting its profitability and expansion initiatives.
The company’s managing director, Mrs Peju Adebajo, however assured its customers that despite the constraints the company will continue to retain its market lead with new innovations and business initiatives just as it launched new baby range of products as part of its commitment to adding comfort to lives and also an indication of its commitment towards the support of the Nigerian child.
The new products include the baby bliss, abbie and dyno. The baby dyno is specially made of cotton material that is suitable for the child’s delicate skin and comes with baby friendly designs. Unveiling the new baby range products, Adebajo said: “I am particularly pleased that Mouka, as part of its commitment to giving back to the society and ensuring the well-being of Nigerians, is seen as partner to  government and the society at large in providing good health for the citizenry.”
Adding further, “This occasion gives us a unique opportunity to acknowledge the Nigerian child and promote their well-being. As you are aware, proper nutrition and adequate sleep are key factors to the developmental growth of children in their formative years. Hence, we realised the need to add comfort to the lives of our children and no other day would be more appropriate for launching this new baby range product than the Children’s Day; a day dedicated globally in honour of our children, tomorrow’s leaders,” she said.

Stay active, avoid expensive medical bills

The World Health Organisation (WHO) say physically active people save about $500 (NGN80,000) annually in healthcare expenses. With recent trends of shrinking economies and increase job loss worldwide every penny counts.

Staying physically fit does not only reduce stress but also saves cash. Equally having an active lifestyle has also been linked with a decreased chance of developing chronic conditions like diabetes and arthritis.

Eating smarter, exercising more, and making wise lifestyle changes, can possibly save thousands of naira yearly on medical bills and extend your lifespan by five to seven years.

Exercise can help you save money, increase your lifespan, and improve your quality of life. If a pill could deliver on even half of these promises, it would be priceless, says Steve Vernon, health consultant.

You don’t need Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers to eat healthy. “Simply eat out less as most outdoor food contain more fatty ingredients like cheeses, cream based sauces, and butter than necessary”, say Erik Folgate, health expert.

According to him breakfast full of fibre and protein. Oatmeal and eggs have a lot of fibre and protein, plus they are cheap to make. They will also keep you full until lunch

Folgate also advise against supplements, according to him they might help you lose weight quick and stay healthy, but once you get off them, it’s easy to quickly gain the weight back.

Any amount of exercise helps, but more is better exercise could also include heavy housecleaning to brisk walking to gardening. For the aged she suggests smaller, intense bursts rather than a full hour at a time.

Just like an engine that seizes up after months or years of non-use, the human body, with no structured exercise, will grow old and begin to malfunction before it’s time.

Experts say the age range of the any population who do not exercise regularly, are setting themselves up for an expensive future. Whether it is the development of lifestyle-type diseases, the insidious onset of obesity, deterioration of muscles and joints, or repeated viral or bacterial illness, the associated costs will slowly mount up and alarm you.

Regular exercise is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. Instead of spending money on diet club memberships and meal replacements, go for a bike ride or a brisk walk. That way you can lose the pounds and keep your cash say, health experts.

While subscribing to an expensive gym for a routine exercise, it is advisable you run outdoors and use shape magazines as guides.

BY : ODINAKA MBONU

Section: 

Personal Finance