Mental Health - Widower Experience (WX)

March 20th, the International Day of Happiness, offers us the opportunity to pause and reflect on happiness. It is a day to acknowledge that happiness is not only found in big, spectacular events - that you find it much more in the small, everyday moments. It is a day to remind ourselves that we can greatly contribute to our own happiness and that of those around us. Happiness is both simple and complex, a n easy yet multifaceted term that encompasses momentary or enduring positive feelings, ranging from quiet joy to exuberant delight. A person can be considered happy if they consistently feel good because their life contains much of what they value. In the sense of good fortune, happiness signifies a lucky break or a positive turn of fate. For me, happiness has a lot to do with 'coherence,' whether things go smoothly or take an unexpected, yet good and positive, turn in life or our surroundings. A healthy social, societal, and professional environment, as well as contact with...

I am very sure that all people long for happiness - a fulfilling feeling of life - most people certainly agree on this. What happiness is and what it means for oneself and for other people, everyone probably wonders, so many people have asked themselves, people have asked themselves across all times and philosophy since ancient times: An inner contentment is the form of happiness that everyone is seeking and trying to find. I see conscious living, conscious enjoyment as the happiness of life and the meaning of life, and it is also an attitude of appreciation and gratitude towards pleasures and joys. The modern consumer society and business world ... What I observe, or as I see it, is that the modern consumer society often leads to the point that people are dissatisfied because they are constantly striving for external things to find their happiness. Often, however, they are not aware of what they really want and what would truly fulfill them - fulfilling them really,  inside themse...

Experiencing and enjoying happiness is and will be an ongoing path we can find and go. I am sure everyone wants to have a meaningful and joyful life, cultivating certain behaviors can help, including meaning, authenticity, optimism, gratitude, compassion, and generosity. Based on what I learned in my life, struggled now and then in my life, for sure was challenged by near-death experiences, floodwaters, house fire, and the death of my wife - I became a firm believer that a large determinant of happiness is personality. The individual differences how people respond to events and also to other people have an impact on the levels of a person’s happiness. 5 Pillars of Happiness One influencer on happiness I like to mention upfront is one I do not have - but I learned that for many people it is an important of the important aspect - religion - it can be a powerful source of happiness. While not true universally, religion has been associated with greater happiness. Positive effects ...

Happiness is an emotion that all people desire, actually all the time, and at the same time most find that they experience it all too rarely. Poets and philosophers focus on the question "How can I be happy?" for centuries - and don't we all concentrate on this question in the last few years or centuries? For decades, however, scientists from other disciplines have also taken it up. Nobody knows a simple recipe for a happy life. Last but not least, this may be due to the fact that we are chasing “a false kind of happiness”. Joy - Happiness - Contentment What we generally and our Society understand by the term happiness - and the related terms "joy" and "contentment" I am unable to say or interpret. But I can share what I understand and feel when I think about happiness, joy and contentment. Joy is a strong feeling that usually occurs in response to a pleasant situation and moment. Joy is rather short-term; a feeling of being alive and vital. Happiness...

March 20th is the UN International Day of Happiness International Day of Happiness aims to globally acknowledge and cherish the value of happiness in lives. This day encourages individuals to spread positivity in any possible way and prompts nations to prioritize their citizens' happiness.  Happiness plays an essential role in life for several reasons: Physical Health: Happiness has been linked to better physical health. Happy people tend to take better care of themselves by exercising, eating healthy, and getting regular check-ups, which reduces the risk of disease. Happiness also boosts the immune system, improving resistance to common illnesses. Mental Health: Happiness aids mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. It contributes to resilience, helping individuals handle adversity more effectively. Longevity / lifespan: Studies have suggested that happier people may live longer. A positive outlook on life can contribute to increased lifespan. Productivity: Happ...

August is Happiness Happens Month - it is a whole month dedicated to celebrating what makes you happy.  Happiness Happens Month is a beautiful reminder that joy is a gift to be treasured, a beacon to guide us through life's ups and downs. It embodies the essence of finding happiness in the little things, of embracing the vibrant tapestry of life, and of spreading warmth and kindness wherever we go. The purpose and meaning of Happiness Happens Month resonate deeply with our journey of self-awareness and the pursuit of living with dignity. It's an invitation to become attuned to the rhythm of our souls, to breathe in gratitude, and to dance in the light of our own existence. It's about recognizing our worth, our unique place in the world, and choosing to live with grace and honor. During this special month, we are called to revel in the joy of living. It's a time to savor the sweetness of every sunrise, the tranquility of a quiet moment, and the laughter that bubbles up f...

International Day of Happiness aims to celebrate happiness all over the world, inspiring people to spread positivity, whether big or small, with others and encouraging each nation to prioritize the happiness of its citizens. March 20th is the UN International Day of Happiness . We can create a happier and kinder world together by adopting simple, daily practices. This year’s theme is: ‘ Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind ’ Maybe you’ve always thought of yourself as being a “glass half full” or “glass half empty” kind of person.  And many people think, that’s just the way they were born. - I firmly believe it is the way how they see the world, their life or in the very moment. While some people seem to be naturally happier and some have to work harder at it, everyone can implement practices in their lives shown to elevate satisfaction and joy.  Research tells us that when people feel happier, they are more resilient, more productive at work, and nicer to be around. We are simply ...

Life is made up of small moments spread over days, weeks and months. Your happiness is built on these small moments. That is why you should strive to enjoy your day – every day. And everyone's daily routine should have enjoyment and fun built into every day, because it  is important for our mental health and well-being. I like to share a few ways on how you can enjoy Your day so that you can get started to interwreathe more enjoyment into your day and your life. Find the Moments, Activities or Breaks which boost your energy Lately I wrote about giving yourself the right and permission to rest ( Link to the article ) Sleep is the top priority when it comes to resetting your mental health, but that can be hard to believe when you consider that one in three adults does not get enough sleep every night. Sometimes the key to resting and making breaks - and happiness lies all too often in the simple things, like the great outdoors. Research shows that spending just 20 minutes o...

Optimist Day is celebrated on the first Thursday of February and takes place on February 1 this year. The day focuses on building and sustaining a positive future. Are you wondering how this is possible? Well, anything can be achieved as long as you stay focused and optimistic. And for me it is part of being stoic. Pessimism and optimism from the perspective of a stoic depends on our / your perception of the bigger picture – our place in the grand scheme of things. Stoicism Isn't Pessimistic. I see it as boldly optimistic. One of the most common myths or misconceptions about Stoicism is that it advocates the suppression of emotions. Critics often misinterpret Stoicism's emphasis on emotional self-control as advocating for a numb, cold or unfeeling existence. People who know me or just met me knows that I am far from suppressing emotions :-)  How do I explain Stoicism to people in my life who are not familiar with philosophy and are looking for a simple explanation?  One valuab...

Once I wrote an article where I expounded that " Simplicity is not the goal that it’s just the side effect of good design work. " and  since a while I have the feeling that 'Simplicity in life' in comparison to 'complexity in life' has a similar relation - peace of soul and happiness in your life are side effects of increasing harmony and mental balance. And it brings as well a state or quality of being worthy of honor and or respect for oneself and others. When we design and live in harmony with our authentic selves and align our work, habits, relationships, but much more our thoughts, and actions with our true values, we experience a greater sense of peace and happiness in every aspect of our lives. We are able to achieve things that before, we could only dream about and we then now see in yourself and others as well. When we’re not in harmony, we experience more fear, feelings of lack and limitation, restlessness, doubt, and dissatisfaction with our lives. ...

When you are grieving, the intensity of your emotions can make it seem that life or a moment is not OK. Negative feelings may easily become overwhelming, leaving you feeling disconnected from others and terribly alone. At these times, directing loving kindness to yourself and those around is a simple way to reconnect with others and open your heart to receive their love. I like the method of Loving Kindness How I do it ... As most often for such practices, I check that I do have a comfortable body position. This will be easiest lying down or seated.  Once I feel comfortable I bring my attention and awareness to my breath, feeling the movement of my belly. Inhaling, noticing sensations of breath. Exhaling, noticing sensations of breath, as the belly rises and falls. We'll now shift into this practice of joy. Now bringing to mind someone who you really believe has your best interests in their heart. Someone who has extended kindness and support to you. This could be someone you know ...

In contrast to animals, we as human beings can be and do many things in our lives and have many great options to choose from in order to find luck and happiness.  If we make decisions here and there that we doubt afterwards, that we would not make the same way with more knowledge and experience at a later point in time - that is no reason to grieve. Life is an open-ended experiment. In fact, it would be a shame if we didn't design our personal experiment ourselves, not only "just let it happen". We are experiencing extremely challenging times and I can no longer count the additional challenges I face in the recent years. Especially in these challenging times, the question of what makes us happy is more important than ever. In my opinion, human life is about much more than just living without fear or fulfilling an 'achievement' or, in the worst case, just existing. At least I think that people want to find themselves - and everyone wants to live in a good partnersh...

My stoic mantra ... Go as far as you can. When you get there You will see how it goes on. Your path and purpose will become clear and become yours - when you begin to trust yourself. The path - your path is the destination. Live your life for you with self-awareness, trust und confidence You have to trust in yourself - trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, good in others ... whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life. When you look to the past, don't sit and dwell on your regrets. Instead, focus on the things you learned from each experience and how they may enrich your future. Use the past not as something to hold you back, but as a method for reaffirming the drive to move forward on your chosen path. Live your life for you and not to please expectations Social pressure is deceiving - we all become influenced without noticing it. Before we realize we lost control of our lives, we end up envying how other people li...

I've been working on this article for a long time - and I'm still not finished - but due to current local events, I'm publishing the current state of it.  After a traumatic event, it is possible to help children feel safe with comfort, support, and assurance. We can help them deal with their fears, grief, and help them recover in a healthy way.  I have put together the following tips and recommendations based on studies and support from psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health experts who specialize in crisis situations. Whenever possible, I tried to provide simple tips on what to expect, what to do, and what to look out for. IMPORTANT - If you, or children or teenagers need support for their mental health, do not hesitate to contact a doctor or another health care provider for help or a recommendation.  1. Tips to assist children after the event  Make the child feel safe and secure. This includes physical closeness - all children, from toddlers to teenagers, ...

My wife and I always tried to follow our dreams and our understanding of joy and happiness. And now I have to dream on my own. And my leading thought regarding ‘dreams’ is that I firmly believed and still do that there is only one way to happiness and that is to abate worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will. And in the reasoned weeks I learned that there is a philosophy which is almost congruent with my way of thinking and acting, the philosophy of stoicism which I mentioned in a post before .   Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning. Nothing in the world can take the place of endurance and patience - even I have to admit if it comes to patience I am really bad - but said that I have to work on myself as well :-) . That...

The world is full of opportunities and we are choice makers. We have to and can choose the angel to look at every event and take it as a learning experience. Gratitude greatly improves every aspect of your life. Learning more gratitude, being more thankful, is not only the way to more happiness and satisfaction. Becoming more grateful is the perfect antidote to frustration, envy, and anger.  Gratitude is what we long for the most: recognition and appreciation for what we have achieved, a simple “thank you” for a good, generous deed. Writers, philosophers and grandparents regularly remind and advice us, rightly to be so and feel that way. Being thankful is an essential key to a happy and fulfilling life but as well for success.  Gratitude is more than saying “thank you” because someone has done you a favor. Being grateful is an attitude. And a way of living. It has been proven that enjoying the little things in life leads to more happiness. If you establish a grateful atti...

World Kindness Day is today, it is an international observance on 13 November. It was introduced in 1998. Kindness is defined by doing something towards yourself and others, motivated by genuine desire to make a positive difference. We know that kindness and our mental health are deeply connected. Kindness is an antidote to isolation and creates a sense of belonging. It helps reduce stress, brings a fresh perspective and deepens friendships. Kindness to ourselves can prevent shame from corroding our sense of identity and help boost our self-esteem. Kindness can even improve feelings of confidence and optimism.  We're all familiar with the saying “it's better to give than receive”. What might surprise you is that this is actually backed up by research. Kindness to others involves a desire to create positive relationships of trust, reliability, dependability, connection, support, and honesty. Kindness and goodwill are values we all should care about and both refer to the motivati...

Sometimes life gets tough and you might feel like you’ve lost yourself. Maybe you feel like you are not the person you are supposed to be and you feel lost in life. In this case, you have a lot of growing and learning to do.  Sometimes life gets tough and you might feel like you’ve lost yourself. Maybe you feel like you are not the person you are supposed to be and you feel lost in life. In this case, you have a lot of growing and learning to do.  Life is not only about finding yourself. Life is even more about creating yourself. Rebuild Your Life Month is observed each year in June and it allows people to take a moment to reflect on the way they’re living their lives.  It is a smponth in the year / a time set aside for people to assess their current situations and make positive changes ... Shifting career paths Enhancing personal happiness, Changing unhealthy habits ... this month supports and encourages a fresh start. This time of the year should empower people to take ...

Self-determination, self-definition, autonomy is not only a community, public, social spirit or topic or only for society, but also for each and every one of us. Especially when it comes to going your own way - living your own life - realizing your own meaning in life. enjoying your and using your freedom. And what I like to emphasize is that the freedom I mean has nothing to do with not being aware of others, seeing others or even when I see it here or there - it has nothing to do with absence or non-recognition of authority or other, or even anarchy or the ruthless living out of all desires. Quite the contrary I have in mind- it has to do with responsible action as well as consideration and respect for ourselves and others. Freedom also challenges us to make the best of our circumstances, to choose from the multitude of possibilities to go our own meaningful path and to live your life. Even more it has something to do with building bricks, concrete for a stabile basement, wa...

What I learned in the past year is that the most painful kind of love is called grief. It happens when THE beloved person is taken away or is about to taken away with no hope for return.  Grief is love and the confusion caused by not knowing how to love someone who is gone. Grief is love's frustration, bitterness, anger, and resentment at death's destruction. Love and the loss of love can quite literally hurt. Grief and Love Can Hurt Just As Much As Physical Pain. Headaches, migraines, overall muscular pain and heaviness are all common symptoms - which I experienced as well. Some people start saying “ I am afraid to fall in love because I don’t want to get hurt again ”. I have no idea why, but I was always sure, that searching for love makes no sense - I think that such a thinking reveals only one's own lovelessness. And I was always sure that if someone is loveless s/he will never find love, I firmly believe that only the loving find love. I experienced that happiness come...