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.

  • What the World Needs Now…

    I once led a dedicated team, who worked well together and had each other’s backs. One day, every team member suddenly became difficult to work with. In their own ways, each person started looking out for themselves, rather than thinking of the team. It didn’t take me long to realise why. A new manager had […]

  • Born for Love

    Born for Love. Why empathy is essential – and endangered by Bruce D. Perry and Maia Szalavitz Brain experts Perry and Szalavitz explain how our social experiences affect the way our brains develop, showing how harsh environments breed children with easily triggered stress systems, while stable nurturing grows empathy and rational thinking. With fascinating case […]

  • Mangled Meanings

    Pressimism: Gloomy outlook on life resulting from reading the news.Percycution: Giving your child a name he will hate for the rest of his life.Headshunted: A sideways promotion.Sluggage: Bags that turn up two days after you do.Gymnauseum: Forcing yourself to go to the gym when you really don’t want to.Satire: Found a seat in a more […]

  • Before you get SMART, know where you’re going and why

    You’ve probably heard that you’re more likely to succeed if you set SMART goals, because SMART goals are measurable. In other words, you can tick the boxes as you achieve them. The beauty of this is that each ticked box rewards you with the little dopamine hit needed to get you over the hurdle of […]

  • Gift in the mail

    Sonya* was going through a bad patch and struggling to pay her bills. One day she went to the letterbox and was surprised to find an envelope containing a $100 supermarket gift card. There was no name or return address, so Sonya had no idea who to thank, but she was delighted with the unexpected gift. […]

Stephanie Hills

Promoting Individual and Social Happiness

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