Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Kia ora koutou, 

You want to be happy? What does that even mean anyway? Happiness is such a fleeting state and often dependent on other factors such as money, accumulated goods, relationships, achievement, and success. Yet it seems to elude so many people. Is happiness a natural human state? 

Russ Harris presents a vid clip about the 3 Happiness Myths. Click on the link to learn more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93LFNtcR1Ok

Russ Harris is the presenter of a great online study option for ACT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The aim of ACT or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is to "maximise human potential for a rich, full and meaningful life; to cultivate health, vitality and well-being through mindful values-based living" it's a creative model "for both therapy and coaching, based on the innovative use of mindfulness and values"(Russ Harris). There is of course much more to the model than stated in this short definition. If you want to know more click here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS13jRcaufs

I have found this way of working very useful with rangatahi (young people). The STOP acronym is very helpful mindful practice when thoughts and feelings are hooking the rangatahi into non-values based behaviour.

STOP - Slow down (focus on the breath), Take notice (of thoughts and feelings and just notice they are present), Open up (get into the here-and-now by noticing what you can see around you, what you can hear, what you can smell, and what you can feel). So you can still have these hooking thoughts and feelings but you can also be present to the moment. Pursue values. 

I have found this little mindful practice really useful for myself as well