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Diary of a Happy Therapist: Complaints on the Decline

 Happiness, Mental Health  1 Response »
May 272009
 
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As I have had the joy, pleasure and honor to teach class about Happiness THREE times per week, I have had noticiable results in my own life.  I thought I was a pretty happy person to begin with!  They say the most effective way to retain information is to teach it – so here I am!  And I am LOVING it!  Tonight, in Happiness 101 we did an exercise in which we thought of that time in our life when we laughed so hard we cried or our sides ached.  So, we thought of that moment, then forced ourselves (at first) to laugh.  It quickly turned into genuine laughter.  It was SO great!  From a biological level, the body does not care if you are really laughing or forcing yourself.  It releases endorphins (happy chemicals) into your body just the same.  I have been focusing a lot on reducing the number of times I complain (out loud or in my head). The average person complains 70 times a day!  Last night I had a wonderful affirmation that I am on the right path.  My mother-in-law came to stay and unbeknownst to myself, was ribbing my wife everytime she complained, exclaiming “Happiness 101!  Happiness 101!”   So, my mother-in-law had planned on doing the same to me as soon as I complained.  We all played a game of cards and she never got her chance to tease me.  I did not complain once!!  I know that even times when I am tempted to complain in my head, I am consciously thinking positive affirmations to ward off the negative thoughts.  I don’t know what the specific count is, but I think I’m winning.

~Frank 

P.S.  ‘Still caffeine free and sleep is starting to improve

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 5:27 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Happiness Setpoint

 Happiness, Mental Health, Uncategorized  No Responses »
May 252009
 
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZm_1Vh99U4&rel=0]Everyone has a Happiness Setpoint.  This is basically how happy you are naturally.  It is analagous to one’s weight.  Some people keep weight off easily.  Others have to really work at it.  So, some people are natually happy and let life’s trials slide off easily.  Some of us – not so much.  The Happiness Setpoint is one of the reasons why we may feel really happy for a while but it seems to wear off and we return to our Happiness Setpoint.  The nice thing is that it works the other way as well.  You know that one really awful event you are scared might happen someday?  Well, you can rest assured that if it did, you would return back to your Happiness Setpoint.  You are more resilient than you think.  Most people have a constellation of negative happiness that rob them of the opportunity to be happier.  By changing negative habits, you CAN raise your happiness setpoint!  Join us for one of our Happiness classes:  “Happy Hour” at 5pm on Mondays via conference call OR Happiness 101 our live class at my office every Tuesday 7pm.  Call 801-262-0317 for details.

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 5:05 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Happiness 101

 Happiness, Mental Health  No Responses »
May 202009
 
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You missed it!  In this week’s Happiness 101 class we talked about the issue of Comfort vs. Happiness.  Think about it: Comfort vs. Happiness.  Next week we will discuss taking ownership of your Happiness and how to break free from the Happiness Robbers.

Happiness 101 is an uplifting, positive, FREE class where you’ll have fun, learn to break unhappy habits and learn HOW to be happy.  The material taught in this class is based on scientific research that supports what will REALLY make us happy versus what we think will make us happy (studies show we are surprisingly poor at making decisions that will ultimately lead to happiness).

Join us Tuesday (5/26/09) 7pm at 220 East 3900 South #7 at 7pm

Call 801-262-0317 for recorded information

‘Keep smiling.

~Frank

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 6:37 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

"Happy Hour" A class about Happiness via conference call

 Happiness, Mental Health  No Responses »
May 202009
 
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Last week we learned that we laugh an average of 15 times per day, while the average child laughs an average of 400 times a day!  We have a lot of catching up to do!

In this class you will learn the basics of happiness and how, even when times are good, we do not feel as happy as we THINK we should!    Studies have proven again and again that we are poor predictors of what will actually make us happy.  So join us, have some fun and learn how to really be happy.  YES, we will actually be meeting on Memorial Day.   So, please take a moment and think of where you will be at 5pm on Monday (go ahead, I’ll wait)……..   Okay, on Monday, 5pm dial (309) 747-2560 Your participant access code: 951526#  If you can, I suggest you dial in a few minutes before.

Of course you are welcome to join us the following day, Tuesday 7pm for the in-person class Happiness 101.

‘Can always get up-to-date information by calling 801-262-0317.

See/Hear you  soon.

~Frank

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 6:33 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Diary of a Happy Therapist, Part I: Decaffeinated

 Happiness  No Responses »
May 172009
 
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The Dali Lama said in his book The Art of Happiness that we should identify those things we are doing that cause us to suffer and those things that bring us joy.  Do less of the former and more of the latter.  Though I consider myself to be a happy person, I realized there were many things I could do to address both ends of the scale.  One of them was caffeine.  ‘Seemed easy enough.  This was not even taking action.  It was INaction.  Piece of cake.  The effect of caffeine is that one usually feels uplifted for a relatively brief period of time, followed by a “crash”.  Coming off of caffeine seems to have had the opposite effect.  Initially quitting caffeine generated irritability and a number of physical reactions including headache.  Caffeine contributes to anxiety, hypertension and insomnia.  Rather than simply ceasing the negative behavior, I have replaced it with a positive: water.  Now, a month “sober” I miss it but the drug’s stranglehold seems to be loosening.  Next cut: processed sugar?? Yikes!

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 6:13 am  Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Free Therapy

 General, Mental Health, Substance Abuse  No Responses »
May 142009
 
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Many people have access to free therapy and, sadly, do not even realize it.  If you are working, even if it is only part-time, you are most likely entitled to free therapy through your Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).  They will usually approve 3-5 sessions of therapy completely free (not even a co-pay).   Just call your human resources department and tell them you would like to contact your EAP.  The EAP is a separate company than your employer, so the nature of your call is completely confidential.  EAP usually also offer free legal consultation and financial advice.  If you, or someone you know is struggling, please let them know about EAP.

~Frank

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 1:40 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Happiness 101

 Happiness, Mental Health, Upcoming Events  3 Responses »
May 142009
 
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This week’s class (5/12/09) was a mind blower as we talked about how negative talk and complaining can effect your very cells.  This upcoming week we will discuss “Comfort vs. Happiness”!

Happiness 101 is an uplifting, positive, FREE class where you’ll have fun, learn to break unhappy habits and learn HOW to be happy.  The material taught in this class is based on scientific research that supports what will REALLY make us happy versus what we think will make us happy (studies show we are surprisingly poor at making decisions that will ultimately lead to happiness).

Join us Tuesday (5/19/09) 7pm at 220 East 3900 South #7 at 7pm

Call 801-262-0317 for recorded information

Also watch for announcements for “Happy Hour”.  This is the Happiness 101 class brought to you via conference call, Mondays at 5pm

‘Keep smiling.

~Frank

P.S. We are looking at starting an on-line video webcast for the Happiness class.  You would need a fast computer, updated Adobe and a headset that has a mic on it.  We are considering Monday mornings.  If you are interested, please let us know

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 4:06 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

"Happy Hour"

 Happiness, Mental Health, Salt Lake Mental Health, Upcoming Events  No Responses »
May 132009
 
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All the knowledge and fun of Happiness 101 is now as close as your phone!  This week we had a very successful launch of “Happy Hour”.  It’s  Mondays at 5pm.  We will have the first class available to download free of charge.  We crammed a TON into that call including the definition of Happiness, the Happiness set point, touched on the Happiness robbers which we are going to into more on next week’s call and also why you never feel like you are as happy as you SHOULD be as well as the myths of happiness.  This is all scientifically based information that is designed to help you be happy LONG-term.  Join us Monday, 5/18/09 at 5pm by calling (309) 747-2560 Your participant access code: 951526#  If you can, I suggest you dial in a few minutes before.

Of course you are welcome to join us the following day, Tuesday 7pm for the in-person class Happiness 101.

‘Can always get up-to-date information by calling 801-262-0317.

See/Hear you  soon.

~Frank

P.S. We are looking at starting an on-line video webcast for the Happiness class.  You would need a fast computer, updated Adobe and a headset that has a mic on it.  We are considering Monday mornings.  If you are interested, please let us know

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 4:06 am  Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Greetings!

 General, Happiness, Mental Health  No Responses »
May 122009
 
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Greetings!  Thanks for coming!  Sincerely, I am honored. 

This is the place where you can keep up with all the goings on.  And there is a LOT! 

  • Happiness 101 (free class)
  • “Happy Hour” (a free class via conference call)
  • Happiness spreading via the web
  • Update on SaltLakeMentalHealth.com
  • Frank on internet radio
  • Healing Arts Team

I’ll also share my perspective on a variety of subjects regarding mental health – especially happiness!

Namaste

~Frank

 Posted by Frank Clayton at 10:22 pm  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,
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