—
Want to know one of the key differences between the most- and least-happy folks who participated in a University of Maryland study that analyzed how 30,000 people spent their free time?
The happy people preferred to peruse a newspaper than stare at their TV.
I couldn’t help but do a double take when I read an article in Prevention magazine called “6 Weird Things that Make You Happy.” Subtitled “Unexpected ways to boost your bliss,” the article examined “happiness triggers.”
Complete disclosure here: Reading a newspaper came in at No. 6.
Here are the other things that triggered happy buttons:
1. Tear-jerker movies. Apparently when we watch a sad movie, our own existence seems much better.
2. Getting older. As we age, our gray cells react less intensely to the negative things we see and hear. About 42 percent of those over age 50 said they felt optimistic about life’s next chapter.
3. A fake smile. According to the study, even a fake smile is better than no smile at all.
4. Thursdays. People say they get a little happiness “bounce” by Thursday. Yep, it’s the new Friday.
5. Doing less for your kids. Parents who tend to think they have to do everything for their kids are less happy than those who let their kids figure it out by themselves.
And then there’s No. 6 — reading a newspaper.
I’m not sure I like the fact that the people who conducted the study labeled reading a newspaper as a “weird” thing if it makes you happy.
But, if you fall into this category, we’re making a few changes that could add to your happiness.
You may have noticed a new puzzle has been added to the Family Fun section. It’s called Bananagrams! and it tests your word skills. The level of difficulty can be judged by the number of bananas shown in a small box. Friday was a three-banana day, and I couldn’t complete the puzzle. Hopefully, you’ll do much better than me.
On Jan. 14, we are trading out the comic strip “Arctic Circle” for “Rhymes with Orange.” As always, let me know what you think after you’ve read the new strip for a few weeks. Many of you have voiced your opinions about “Arctic Circle,” otherwise called “that cartoon at the bottom of the page.” Apparently it was less than memorable.
We know our readers love their pets. Beginning on Jan. 13, you will find a locally written pet column in the Life section of Sunday’s paper. We will bring you information regarding city ordinances that will affect pet ownership, details about dog parks in the area and pet adoption opportunities. We hope you will join in on the conversation with questions about pet ownership.
On a more serious note, we have added a Statehouse correspondent in Jefferson City to cover the legislative session that opens this week. Eli Yokley, of Webb City, attends the University of Missouri-Columbia but has been writing on the subject of politics for years. In addition to writing for us, he will continue his work as the chief political correspondent for Missouri News Horizon. He is also the editor in chief of PoliticMo, one of the top political blogs in Missouri as ranked by The Washington Post and The Riverfront Times. You can contact Yokley at eyokley@joplinglobe.com.
Feeling happier yet? I hope so. And, by the way, I don’t think that’s at all weird.
Carol Stark is editor of The Joplin Globe. Address correspondence to her, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, MO 64802 or email cstark@joplinglobe.com. Follow Carol Stark on Twitter @carolstark30.
Opinion
Carol Stark: Boost your happiness: Read a newspaper
- Opinion
-
-
Other Views: Still inspiring
Cutbacks in the military budget and the still-recovering economy mean this Memorial Day weekend will go down as a relatively subdued affair — relative, that is, to our usual end-of-school, official-start-of-summer blowout.
-
Our View: Setting standard
The sight of hundreds of young student volunteers walking across Moore’s Fourth Street interstate overpass had to be uplifting to the city’s tornado victims.
-
Our View: Safer schools
Being able to see for ourselves what would have happened to our children had they been standing in the main hall of their schools during the May 22, 2011, tornado had a profound effect on our understanding of safe schools.
-
Marilyn Beasley, guest columnist: Claiming responsibility for abuse of power
Over the past few months we’ve witnessed the abuse of power by President Barack Obama and his administration.
-
Our View: ‘Why?’ has no answer
Just hours before, there was breakfast and laughter. There were pictures on the walls and memories in every room.
-
Our View: Absent from House
We can’t figure out why two Missouri legislators think they should be elected to the U.S. House when it appears they can’t seem to show up to take care of business in the Missouri House.
-
Your View: Terrible injustice
I see this Jasper County nuisance law as a terrible injustice on the rights of the residents of Jasper County.
-
Your View: Should we be outraged?
Were there effusive apologies following the lockdown of Boston as most of the continent indulged vicariously in the ongoing manhunt?
-
Your View: Terrorism is terrorism
In the May 13 issue of The Joplin Globe there was an Associated Press article concerning the New Orleans shooting.
-
Phill Brooks, columnist: Missouri Senate did what Founding Fathers had in mind
George Washington once described the Senate as being like a saucer in which you pour coffee or tea.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Other Views: Still inspiring
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
