Hope feels dangerous in a pandemic – so I am trying to build happiness by focusing on small delights | Emma Beddington

I am not one of nature ’s sunbeams, but we all need optimism in our lives right now. Can looking for little moments of joy help?Apparently the fear of happiness has a name:cherophobia. You can check if you have it byanswering a questionnaire that is halfway between teen mag summer quiz and theEdinburgh postnatal depression scale. “Having lots of joy and fun causes bad things to happen” – strongly agree, somewhat disagree, neither agree nor disagree?I am a “strongly agree”. Not one of nature’s sunbeams, I am superstitiously inclined to regard happiness with suspicion; absurdly, I seem to believe that expecting the worst can ward it off.Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Health & wellbeing Psychology Mental health Life and style Science Society Source Type: news