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This Holy Week, Start Your Pursuit of Happiness
08 Apr 2020EXPERIENCEBY Tracy

What our current way of life is teaching us is that perspectives need to change. Due to this quarantine, how we usually see and do things need to be adjusted and THAT is the new norm. The same mindset should be applied to our pursuit of happiness. This Holy Week, while we are all in the confines of our homes, we should take advantage of this solitude to determine what makes us happy and if we are not, how can we achieve it?

by Chel for SweetEscape in Manila

Yale has a very popular class called the Science of Well-Being taught by a psychology professor, Dr. Laurie Santos. It is a science-backed process to determine and boost one’s happiness. The course is said to teach you to gain the following skills: Gratitude, Happiness, Meditation, and Savoring. Due to the drastic change in our lifestyle these days, establishing a new habit may be difficult but recommended. Because at this point, what have we got to lose? We are given the gift of time so we should make the most of it because, well, now we can.

by Jeff for SweetEscape in Cebu

What this class wants one to develop is a lasting positive habit. Because once you decide to be happy and make it an important aspect of your life, everything else follows. And as humans, we have every right to be happy. Here are some happiness strategies inspired the Science of Well-Being that we can contemplate on this Holy Week:

1. Find a healthy habit

Start on something that helps you find focus and keeps you calm and connected. Yoga, Meditation, learn a new skill, music, dance, or all of the above. Do it all in the comforts of your home and find out which one works best for you, then keep at it. Starting a healthy habit may lead to improved focus and more positive moods.

by Mark for SweetEscape in Coron, Palawan

2. Interrupt Your Tasks

Ever start binging on a K-Drama series and find yourself falling in love with it so much that you don’t even realize that you have gone through all 12 episodes on 1 sitting? How about cutting that experience in 4? Split up anything you enjoy doing. A new song or that soft creamy cheesecake. Every time you interrupt what you’re enjoying and go back to it at a later time, you will find yourself enjoying it more, increasing your level of happiness. As weird as that may sound there’s research that backs it up. Worth a shot, don’t you think?

by Hisham for SweetEscape in Singapore

3. Live every day to the fullest

Life is fleeting. Think about that and imagine that life as you know it can change in a snap of a finger. That can greatly affect your appreciation for it and adjusts your perspective. It allows you to see the good in your life and helps set your priorities because, in your mind, you could lose it all at any time.

by Janos for SweetEscape in Siargao

4. Learn to savor moments

Watching a beautiful sunset by the beach with your significant other or having Sunday dinner at home with the family, complete for the first time in years. Savoring is the act of being in the moment and appreciating its value. This skill allows you to enjoy your experiences more and longer. Plus, when the people around you can see or feel that you are living in the moment, the experience is enhanced because they will savor the moment, too.

by Janos for SweetEscape in Siargao

5. Experience over material things

Spending a huge chunk of your savings to purchase the latest gadget can give you happiness that disappears almost as soon as you’ve bought it. Spending on experiences, however, adds more than one benefit to your happiness. Traveling to new places benefits your senses and gives you memories you can have for a very long time. Invest in experiences.

by Noel for SweetEscape in Quezon City

6. Be KIND!

Kindness in words and actions goes a very long way. Sending random messages of encouragement to a friend going through a tough time, paying for a stranger’s cup of coffee or adopting a stray dog. When you do things for others out of the kindness of your own heart, you also make yourself happy. That’s another thing you can’t buy.

by BG for SweetEscape in Quezon City

This Holy Week, no matter what your circumstance is, train your mind to find the silver lining in every situation. Remember, happiness can be learned, and your happiness is crucial for your well-being.

As a company, we support your pursuit of happiness. At this time, we strongly encourage everyone to combine that pursuit with your strategies to stay safe indoors and physically healthy. When all these blows over, we look forward to being there for you as you make new memories and experiences to savor for the rest of your lives.

Your personal photographer, SweetEscape