How to be Happy

You Can Choose To Be Happy

Index

Information
Advice
Internet Links
Books & Media
CSULB Referrals
Other

INFORMATION
How much control do you think you have over your own emotions and happiness? Some think that our happiness is determined by our genetics or our environment, and that we have little control over our own emotions. If you are one who believes that, then that belief alone could be an important cause of lack of control (a self-fulfilling prophesy).

Victor Frankl learned to find happiness even in a Nazi concentration camp. Some people seem to have fame, money, friends, lovers, and everything that we usually think create happiness; yet are unhappy. Other people have overcome terrible circumstances to find happiness. Look at Christopher Reeves, "Superman," who has mentally overcome the tragic accident that left him without use of his limbs and become an inspiration to so many others. How is it that these people find happiness despite such terrible circumstances, yet others are unhappy in relatively good circumstances? [One clue is that happiness is greatly affected by expectations and mental harmony.]

Philosophers from Aristotle to Kant to Russell and religious leaders such as Jesus and Buddha have stressed the primacy of happiness as a top human value and goal. But just making it a top goal is only the first of a number of crucial steps in achieving happiness. While in college, you can learn how to be one of these "self-actualized" people that can find some success and happiness in almost any circumstance.

Return to Index

ADVICE
To achieve happiness, make the goal to seek happiness for self and others a top goal in your life and actively begin a self-development program for yourself to find ways that will help you achieve those goals. Following are some places to begin your quest.

Return to Index

INTERNET LINKS

Learning How to Be Happy and Overcome Negative Emotions

CSULB=> You Can Choose To Be Happy: "Rise Above" Anxiety, Anger, and Depression (free on-line book)
Dr. Tom Stevens' book explores many ways that you can increase your abilities to find happiness. The first chapter provides an introduction to how you can begin your quest for greater happiness, more positive thinking, and greater motivation.
http://www.csulb.edu/~tstevens/hcontent.htm

Go to general self-help start page for additional sites that feature help finding happiness and well-being. Search them with both the terms well-being and happiness.

**International Network On Personal Meaning.
Dr. Paul Wong, Existential and Cognitive Psychology
http://www.meaning.ca

BOOKS & MEDIA

GO TO: book_sites.htm

Return to Index

CSULB REFERRALS

CSULB Student Services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
CSULB students can obtain free counseling from licensed psychologists for almost any type of personal problem including relationships and family problems; stress, anxiety, depression, anger, grief; academic-related concerns; career decision-making; crises; and almost any type of self-development issue. We offer individual and group counseling, workshops, and self-help materials including this web site. Brotman Hall, Room 226; 562-985-4001; web site: www.csulb.edu/~caps

Other student services and student organizations may also be helpful
Go to CSULB student information page for a comprehensive list of student services and activities

Please bookmark this web site and tell others

Success and Happiness Home Page
Success and Happiness Attributes Questionnaire (SHAQ) to assess self on many factors
Self-Help Internet Links (List only sites with useful FREE information)

Free, full-length self-help manuals. Psychologist Dr.Tom Stevens' Web Site at www.csulb.edu/~tstevens
Free, chapters from Dr. Stevens book, You Can Choose To Be Happy
Index of FREE SELF-HELP materials available on Dr. Stevens' web site

Email feedback to Dr. Tom Stevens at tstevens@csulb.edu (We appreciate the feedback.)

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
CSULB Division of Student Services