How to Be Happy Every Day: It Will Change the World | Jacqueline Way | TEDxStanleyPark

Summary

In this inspiring talk, a mother of three shares her mission to foster happiness and emotional health in children. She introduces a daily giving practice that not only benefits others but also triggers 'helper's high' in givers, reducing stress and promoting happiness. Starting with her young son, she expands the concept to schools, creating a ripple effect of kindness that transforms classrooms and communities, emphasizing the simplicity and impact of small, daily acts of generosity.

Takeaways

• 👩‍👦 The speaker is a mother of three, emphasizing the multifaceted roles and challenges of parenthood.
• 🌍 The World Happiness Report highlights a concerning number of children and adults suffering from mental health issues.
• 👶 Emotional health in childhood is a strong predictor of adult satisfaction, underscoring the importance of a happy childhood.
• 🌟 The speaker's father, a doctor, taught her the joy of giving back through an annual Christmas caroling tradition at his hospital.
• 😊 The act of giving triggers 'helper's high' in our brains, releasing endorphins and other hormones that contribute to happiness.
• 👶🎉 The speaker initiated a family project with her son Nick to give back daily for a year, starting from his third birthday.
• 📝 The idea of daily giving was simple: perform one act of kindness, helpfulness, or giving every day for 365 days.
• 🐾 The first act of giving involved donating towels and blankets to a local animal shelter, teaching Nick about the impact of his actions.
• 🌱 Nick quickly embraced the concept of daily giving, learning about recycling and the importance of small acts of kindness.
• 📝 The 365give blog was created to share their daily giving adventures, which resonated with people worldwide and inspired others to give.
• 🏫 The 365give challenge was introduced in schools, empowering children to choose how they give and positively impact the world.
• 🌐 The ripple effect of the 365give challenge has reached over 5,000 children in 25 schools, promoting happiness and community engagement.
• 🌟 The speaker encourages everyone to start their own list of daily gives, emphasizing that happiness can be achieved through simple acts of kindness.

Q & A

What is the speaker's profession and how does it relate to the topic of happiness?

The speaker is a mother to three children, which she describes as one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Her role as a parent is central to the topic of happiness as she discusses the challenges and aspirations for her children's emotional health and well-being.

What is the World Happiness Report and what does it reveal about children and adults suffering from mental health issues?

The World Happiness Report is a publication that discusses global well-being and happiness. According to the speaker, it reveals that over 220 million children and 1 billion adults suffer from anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders, indicating a significant issue with mental health worldwide.

How does the speaker suggest children learn about happiness and stress from adults?

The speaker suggests that children learn about happiness and stress from observing the adults around them. They notice the busyness of adults, feel their stress, and see them struggle to find happiness, which can influence the children's own emotional health.

What is the key predictor of a child becoming a satisfied adult according to the World Happiness Report mentioned in the script?

The key predictor of a child becoming a satisfied adult, as stated in the World Happiness Report, is their emotional health during childhood.

What is the 'helper's high' and how is it related to the act of giving?

The 'helper's high' is a term used to describe the natural high feeling one gets when they give to others. It is related to the act of giving because researchers have found that when we give, our brains release endorphins, which create this pleasurable sensation.

How does the speaker's father's actions during Christmas contribute to the theme of giving and happiness?

The speaker's father, a doctor, would take his family to the hospital to sing Christmas carols for his patients every Christmas morning. This act of giving back to the patients, bringing joy and smiles to their faces, taught the speaker about the happiness derived from helping others.

What is the '365give' project initiated by the speaker for her son Nick on his third birthday?

The '365give' project is an initiative where the speaker and her son Nick decided to give back to the world every day for one year. The idea was to perform one act of kindness, helpfulness, or giving each day for 365 days.

How did the '365give' project expand beyond the speaker's family?

The '365give' project expanded beyond the family when the speaker started a blog to share their daily giving adventures. The blog gained readership and engagement from around the world, inspiring others to share their own stories of daily giving.

What educational program was created as a result of the '365give' concept being introduced into a local school?

An educational program called the '365give challenge' was created, integrating a simple daily giving practice with the school curriculum. It is unique because it is powered by the kids, who choose how they will give and support causes of their choice.

How has the '365give challenge' impacted the children involved in the program?

The '365give challenge' has impacted the children by helping them understand how their actions can make a better world. It has connected them to each other, their community, and has made their classroom environment happier.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience and the world at large?

The speaker's call to action is for everyone to start a daily habit of giving, similar to brushing their teeth. She encourages people to donate, volunteer, help a neighbor, or be kind to a stranger as a way to create a better and happier world, one give at a time.