Launches the movement for happiness in Britain (AP)

LONDON - Is there a science of happiness?

A growing group of economists, politicians and academics think so - and put theory into practice by starting a "mass for a happier society movement."

Action for happiness has launched Tuesday in London, by encouraging the buddies, meditation and acts of random kindness. It is more current as the British Government statisticians measure the well-being of the country economically battered.

The founders of the non-profit group include a former political leader of Downing Street, biographer of Tony Blair and a distinguished Economist. They say happiness - long seen as the preserve of the poets, philosophers and spiritual leaders - is a very serious problem.

Co-founder Richard Layard, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics, said the group "has no dogma or belief." It is a secular movement based on science. ?

"Our happiness levels have been stuck for the past 60 years," he said. "Income is not much difference." The quality of human relations at home and in the workplace - there are many ways including those who have been neglected for a higher income. ?

A growing number of politicians are taking place this mantra. Prime Minister David Cameron said "" it is time that we have focused not only on the GDP but on GWB - general well-being.""

Cynics say that is well, because the British economy was battered by the recession and the country is facing deep public spending cuts.

But research suggests the money may not really buy happiness - of welfare in Great Britain, the United States and other countries has remained static, then same as disposable income and financial security soared during the great expansion of postwar Western economies.

Global happiness surveys produce surprising results, putting countries such as Bangladesh and Nigeria in advance much more rich nations European and North American.

The research to find out why has attracted a growing movement of "science of happiness" which has taken root in many countries.

The concept was launched by the small Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, king decreed a gross National happiness policy in the 1990s to promote the well-being of his people in economic development.

Canada has established an "index of well-being," national while the Japan and South Korea include the right to happiness in their constitutions. The Brazil lawmakers have proposed to amend the constitution to "the pursuit of happiness" an inalienable right alongside education, health, food, work, housing, recreation and security.

In Britain, the Office of national statistics has added questions about welfare to its regular household survey to 200 000 households. Starting this month, the survey asks questions, including "How are you satisfied with your life today?" and "how anxious you feel you yesterday? The answers will help statisticians of the administration to refine their methods of measurement of happiness.

Action for happiness is based on the principle that kindness breeds happiness. It encourages people to do small acts of generosity - the embrace of holding open a door, say sorry or giving to a seat on the bus.

The group said it already has more than 4,000 members from 60 countries and hope that millions of "militants of happiness" will walk forth to spread goodwill throughout the world.

"It is a movement for the cultural radical change, be a culture focused primarily on self-interest to one based primarily on the promotion of the happiness of others," said Layard.

Launch of the group in a London Conference Room looked like a festival of positivity, assisted by the chat host and representatives of groups ranging from the happy Initiative of the city of marriage counselling service tells.

Inside, the participants held a moment of meditation of mass. Outside, a group of "guerrilla huggers" provided physical contact to passers-by surprised but especially welcoming.

Many of those involved think they know the reason for his misfortune - in our hyper-connected world, many of us lack of human contact.

"We have enough touch in daily life," said Majella Greene, 43, a psychology graduate student and one of the huggers of the guerrilla. "Young people and people who work remotely have enough contact with other people."

His group aims to remedy that sweep down the busy urban scene and offering of Cuddles Office staff and the buyers of the lunch hour. While some rush past - "I am anti-hug," says a man - many stop by for a quick hug.

"It is easy to be cynical, but why not?", said James Cowan, 29, a worker marketing. "It puts a smile on the faces of the people."

____

Online:

http://www.actionforhappiness.org

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.