The power of simple interactions can create a culture of wellness. It’s the little things that count. A smile. Kind words. Laughter. Dr. Shawn Achor says that only a quarter of job success is predicted by IQ, and that 75% of success in the workplace is predicted by social connections, level of optimism, and ability to see stress as a challenge instead of a threat (2011).
Social connections are good for us. Friendships can reduce stress and boost happiness (Achor, 2013, 2018; Alvarado & Shafer, 2017; Kohll, 2018). Training our brains for optimism could be similar to training for an athletic event. After taking a long hiatus from running, I recently started up again to prepare for a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K race. Whenever I have a chance, I lace up my Asics and hit the road for a long and sweaty run. We can do similar things to prepare and train for happiness. Fake it until we make it. Here is a prescription for happiness from researcher, Dr. Achor, to train our brains to have positive and sustainable changes for happiness: (1) meditate (Dweck, 2007), (2) exercise (Babyak et al, 2000), (3) journal (Slatcher & Pennebaker, 2006), (4) practice gratitude (Emmons & McCollough, 2003), and random acts of kindness (Lyubomirsky, 2005).
Responsive relationships support child development and learning (Harvard Center on the Developing Child). Early childhood educators use daily interactions to create high quality environments that are rooted in positive relationships. It is the little things that count that can give us the happiness advantage.
Sources:
Achor, S. (2011). The happy secret to better work [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work
Achor, S. (2011). The happiness advantage. London, UK: Virgin Publishing.
Achor, S. (2013). Before happiness: The 5 hidden keys to achieving success, spreading happiness, and sustaining positive change. New York: Crown Business.
Achor, S. (2018). Big potential: How transforming the pursuit of success raises achievement, happiness, and well-being. New York: Currency.
Alvarado, S. & Shafer, L. (2017). The power of simple interactions. Usable Knowledge. Retrieved from https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/17/11/power-simple-interactions
Center on the Developing Child. Three principles to improve outcomes for children and families. Retrieved from https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/three-early-childhood-development-principles-improve-child-family-outcomes/
Kohll, A. (2018). 5 reasons social connections can enhance your employee wellness program. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/01/31/5-ways-social-connections-can-enhance-your-employee-wellness-program/#7e2e2d56527c