Health and Human Services Professional Development

How Your Career Path and Everyday Habits Influence Longevity by   Jill Bowers   on   August 2, 2013   National Geographic writer and explorer, Dan Buettner, and colleagues (from National Geographic and The Institute on Aging) examined 4 geographic locations (“blue zones”) in which individuals live longer than they do in the United States. They found these individuals had some things in common in (eating habits, outlook, exercise, and more – see infographic for more): This information reveals the importance of healthy choices and balance in your life….and hopefully you have chosen a career path that gives you a sense of purpose and makes you happy. For more information, see Dan Buettner’s Ted Talk, “How To Live To Be 100+” here: blob:https://embed.ted.com/e7ba03a4-05ca-4280-a89e-21da733b5e9f *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

Making Happiness Happen by   Mikki Sherwood   on   August 28, 2013   Think that making more than $50,000 per year or living in a better climate will solve all of your problems? Think again. According to designer Stefan Sagmeister, you can train your mind to focus on happiness and overall well-being. Sagmeister’s rules for happiness include: having meaningful friendships and relationships, doing more of what you want to do and less of what you do not like, using variety (in tools and techniques), making sure you get the end results you want, and getting involved in projects where about half of the information is new and the other half is familiar. You are in charge of your own destiny, so try to train your subconscious mind. Finding a career that you enjoy and that allows you to take Mr. Sagmeister’s suggestions (e.g., be involved in projects that are familiar, yet challenging) could facilitate  your  happiness. If you are at the point in your acade...

Can Physical Health Impact Happiness? YOU BETHCA!! by   Mikki Sherwood   on   March 2, 2014   The body’s natural desire is to be healthy, says Dean Ornish in this Ted Talks video,  “Healing Through Diet,”  Dr. Ornish states that optimal health, and therefore happiness, occurs when you follow a lifestyle that includes a low-fat and plant-based diet, stress management training, moderate exercise, no smoking or drinking alcohol, and the psychological support of peers. Dr. Ornish also states that it is important to be aware of behaviors that can have a negative impact on health later in life. For example, it is important to eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet consisting of all the main food groups: dairy, protein, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is also important to stay in shape by exercising on a regular basis. On the other hand, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes can negatively impact health.  Dr. Ornish states that it is relatively easy to...

Positive Psychology for Your Career and Daily Routines by   Jinwen Ye   on   January 19, 2015 Once an interviewer asked Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, “what is the WOW factor in Positive Psychology that our readers don’t know?” His simple response was, “If there is a wow, the wow is that there is no wow.” I have been inspired by many of his positive psychology videos.  I’ve included one of my favorites and summarized some of the research he discussed in the infographic   here . I found some of these tips to be particularly valuable as I was reflecting on my own behaviors and goals. As you are beginning your semester, setting your goals, or refining your New Years resolutions, perhaps you will find some of these tips valuable too! *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).