Happy Nation is based on two basic ideas

  1. Focussing on what makes us happy can bring us to greater heights of joy and fulfilment than focussing solely on the problems we wish to solve. This is the philosophy inherent in Positive Psychology.
  2. Happiness, like any other emotional state, is not an isolated phenomenon – it affects, and is affected by, the people around us. To reach fulfilment we must work towards enhancing the happiness of all, using love, compassion and gratitude. This social happiness philosophy is consistent with the principles of Deep Ecology.

Stephanie Hills has thirty years’ experience working with people in distress, both as a social worker and a counsellor.

A large part of her work has comprised using narrative and art therapy to help people move on from depression. While still helping people facing difficulties, Stephanie’s work has broadened to include the promotion and enhancement of individual and social happiness.

Using the principles of Positive Psychology and Deep Ecology, she assists individuals and groups to improve their functioning in various life spheres, taking into account the social, cultural, economic and environmental context of people’s lives.

  • Looking at things from all sides

    A wise teacher of mine used to challenge her students with the question, “What if the opposite were true?” This is a great way to prompt lateral thinking. It can help us to spot where our supposedly logical conclusions might be based on rather tenuous assumptions and help us to understand how someone else might […]

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  • The Optimistic Child

    The Optimistic Child. A Revolutionary Approach to Raising Resilient Children                                                                      by Martin Seligman This classic book, first published in 1995, is by Martin Seligman, who is considered the founder of positive psychology. It outlines the school-based programme he developed to teach optimism and resilience in children, and the research behind it. The book goes on […]

  • Silly observations

    False teeth are like stars. They come out at night. * * * Two fish in a tank. One of them says to the other: “How do you drive this thing?” * * * A nine-year-old girl has disappeared after using moisturiser that makes you look ten years younger.

  • Going above and beyond

    As homelessness becomes more prevalent, many unemployed people find it necessary to make use of public spaces such as libraries, where they can find warmth, shelter and company during the day.  A young man living in his car became a well-known regular at one library.  Council staff helped to connect him with services and resources […]

  • Compassion and happiness

    It’s well known among happiness researchers that people who do volunteer work and have an altruistic approach to life are happier than those who focus on themselves. This has been shown through statistical surveys and also through brain imaging. Richard Davidson put Buddhist monk volunteers into an fMRI machine and got them listen to people’s […]

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Stephanie Hills

Promoting Individual and Social Happiness

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