A couple weeks ago, to close off Mental Health Awareness Month, Johanne Schwensen one of the Co-founders and the Chief Clinical Officer of It’s Complicated gave a talk to various teams that we work with through our Employee Assitance Program. The topic was inspired by Dr. Russ Harris’ book The Happiness Trap, which presents a fresh approach to finding fulfillment in life by challenging traditional notions of happiness and offering practical strategies to overcome psychological struggles.
We will offer this same talk to a wider audience in the near future, as it’s a topic we believe is not discussed enough, especially in today’s fast-paced and demanding world, where achieving and maintaining happiness can often feel like an elusive goal. For many the pursuit of “happiness” can often lead to feelings of unfulfillment. By understanding and applying proven strategies, we have the potential to unlock the path to a more balanced and meaningful life.
Our discussion covered
- Common misconceptions about happiness
- Explored the concept of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Identified the key components of psychological flexibility
- The value of practicing mindfulness and self-compassion for enhanced well-being
- How to develop resilience in the face of adversity
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on mindfulness, acceptance, and behavior change. ACT is based on the idea that suffering is a natural and inevitable part of human existence – the goal of which is not to eliminate or suppress negative thoughts and emotions but to develop psychological flexibility and learn to live a meaningful life despite the presence of pain and distress. A fulfilling life lies in accepting and embracing the full range of human emotions, rather than trying to avoid or suppress negative ones.
The Happiness Trap emphasizes the importance of identifying one’s values and aligning one’s actions with those values. Living a value-based life, even in the face of discomfort or negative emotions, can lead to greater satisfaction and a sense of purpose.
We are very much looking forward to sharing this talk again!
