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.

  • 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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  • The Bond

    The Bond. How to Fix your Falling-Down World  By Lynne McTaggart From quantum science discoveries of entangled particles and the observer effect to the ways that we are affected by solar activity and findings that evolution appears more intentional than random – this book starts with a fascinating overview of how everything is interconnected. The […]

  • Life in puns

    I lost my job as a stage designer. I left without making a scene. * * * * I always wanted to be a Gregorian monk, but I never got the chants. * * * * My new watch was so expensive I had to finance it. I’m living on borrowed time. * * * […]

Stephanie Hills

Promoting Individual and Social Happiness

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