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.

  • Smile – and feel better

    Try holding a pencil between your teeth, in such a way that the pencil doesn’t touch your lips. This forces your face into something that looks like a smile. Years ago, experimenters found that people holding a pencil in this way rated cartoons as funnier than they did without the pencil. The conclusion was that […]

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  • These puns are fully groan…

    I had my patience tested. I’m negative. The older I get, the earlier it gets late. I got a new drum kit today. It takes some beating. I went to the paint shop to get thinner. It didn’t work. I don’t want to get technical or anything, but according to chemistry, alcohol is a solution.

  • Help on the bridge

    A disabled lady in an electric wheelchair got stuck in a rut while crossing a narrow bridge. She could not go forwards or backwards.  A guy in a big car, possibly a Jaguar, stopped his car on the brow of the bridge and got out to help.  The stuck woman said afterwards, “No idea who […]

  • The many layers of forgiveness

    Forgiveness is considered an important ingredient for a happy life. It’s a saintly quality, which frees both perpetrator and victim from the effects of past cruel actions. But since most of us have not yet reached saint status, the whole concept of forgiveness can be fraught with confusion. Should I forgive someone who is still […]

  • Kindness at the Supermarket

    Recently I did my weekly grocery shop quite late on a Friday night. Many shoppers were going through the self-checkout area with just a few items, but for those of us with full trolleys, there was only one checkout open, and quite a queue. I noticed the woman in front of me was smiling despite […]

Stephanie Hills

Promoting Individual and Social Happiness

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