Weekly: Finding & sharing

Old Happy: I have to keep it all inside.
New Happy: I can share what's inside.

There's an old proverb that I love, and have used to guide me in so many moments: "Joy shared is doubled; sorrow shared is halved."

As it turns out, this wisdom has been validated by modern science. Studies have found, for example, that by sharing positive news with someone you love, you not only increase your own joy, but give them the chance to experience happiness, too. Equally, sorrow is lightened when someone is there for you: if someone is holding your hand while you're in pain, you'll rate your suffering as less intense.

Today, I'd like to invite you to consider:

What joy have I felt recently, and have I shared it with another person?
What pain have I felt recently, and have I shared it with another person?

If "no" is the answer to either question, your task is to reach out to someone and ask if they'd be willing to connect—be guided by the truth that everything is better when shared.

Tips and Tools

1. Try anyway — This week's animation.

2. Your great ideas — How to make them real.

3. Label it — Describing your feelings.

4. It's our world — So how will we nudge it?

5. All the questions — The power of curiosity.

More from TNH

Book — Order New Happy today to find true happiness.

Podcast — Get a daily morning pep talk — in five minutes or less

Speaking — Book us to speak to your team about well-being, resilience, and productivity.

Articles — Read more articles on our website.

Community

What do you do to feel joy?

"Dance Argentine tango for fun every week."

"I garden. I start seeds, nurture them, then at the right time plant outside. More nurturing; weed, water, provide support, inspect, prune, and ultimately i pick the harvest. Then I start all over again."

“Play badminton.”

“Food photography and blogging!”

“Draw my thoughts in an abstract style.”

Read more