The pursuit of happiness can end in pain

Maggie Mulqueen, psychologist

Focusing on happiness can lead to perfectionistic tendencies as people try to sustain what is actually a brief and elusive emotion. Instead of promoting happiness as the elixir for life, our society needs to explore how people can find contentment. Unlike happiness, a state of contentment is long-lasting and provides a strong base for mental health. Discovering what makes us feel content and pursuing that help protect us from stress. The pressure people feel to be happy can also be corrosive to establishing a strong sense of self. A patient of mine recently lost 75 pounds. Everyone who sees her congratulates her and expects her to be happy about this accomplishment. Rather than being supported by all these compliments, she feels tremendous pressure to present a happy face to the outside world. How gratifying it may for her if people asked “How do you feel?” rather than stating “You must be so happy!”

Adapted from https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/suicide-studentathletes- happiness-contentment-rcna27992

The pursuit of happiness can end in pain

Maggie Mulqueen, psychologist

Focusing on happiness can lead to perfectionistic tendencies as people try to sustain what is actually a brief and elusive emotion. Instead of promoting happiness as the elixir for life, our society needs to explore how people can find contentment. Unlike happiness, a state of contentment is long-lasting and provides a strong base for mental health. Discovering what makes us feel content and pursuing that help protect us from stress. The pressure people feel to be happy can also be corrosive to establishing a strong sense of self. A patient of mine recently lost 75 pounds. Everyone who sees her congratulates her and expects her to be happy about this accomplishment. Rather than being supported by all these compliments, she feels tremendous pressure to present a happy face to the outside world. How gratifying it for her if people asked “How do you feel?” rather than stating “You must be so happy!”

Adapted from https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/suicide-studentathletes- happiness-contentment-rcna27992

The pursuit of happiness can end in pain

Maggie Mulqueen, psychologist

Focusing on happiness can lead to perfectionistic tendencies as people try to sustain what is actually a brief and elusive emotion. Instead of promoting happiness as the elixir for life, our society needs to explore how people can find contentment. Unlike happiness, a state of contentment is long-lasting and provides a strong base for mental health. Discovering what makes us feel content and pursuing that help protect us from stress. The pressure people feel to be happy can also be corrosive to establishing a strong sense of self. A patient of mine recently lost 75 pounds. Everyone who sees her congratulates her and expects her to be happy about this accomplishment. Rather than being supported by all these compliments, she feels tremendous pressure to present a happy face to the outside world. How gratifying it for her if people asked “How do you feel?” rather than stating “You must be so happy!”

Adapted from https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/suicide-studentathletes- happiness-contentment-rcna27992

The pursuit of happiness can end in pain

Maggie Mulqueen, psychologist

Focusing on happiness can lead to perfectionistic tendencies^d as people try to sustain what is actually a brief and elusive emotion. Instead of promoting happiness^c as the elixir for life, our society needs to explore how people can find contentment. Unlike happiness, a state of contentment is long-lasting and provides a strong base for mental health. Discovering what makes us feel content and pursuing that help protect us from stress. The pressure people^b feel to be happy can also be corrosive to establishing a strong sense of self. A patient of mine recently lost 75 pounds. Everyone who sees her congratulates her and expects her to be happy about this accomplishment. Rather than being supported by all these compliments, she feels tremendous pressure to present a happy face to the outside world. How gratifying it for her if people asked^a “How do you feel?” rather than stating “You must be so happy!”

Adapted from https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/suicide-studentathletes- happiness-contentment-rcna27992

How sleep transformed professional football

A few decades ago, professional footballers spent their nights partying. Now, they are much more aware of the benefits of a good night’s sleep.

The change began in the mid-1990s, when mattress salesman Nick Littlehales contacted the manager of the Manchester United football team, Alex Ferguson, asking whether he had ever considered how sleep affected performance on the pitch. Interested, Ferguson arranged for Littlehales to give a presentation to his team.

Gradually, club managers began to pay more attention to scientific sleep research, and for good reason. (...)

Now, many teams and players are making an effort to improve their sleep patterns, using various means. James Milner from Manchester City found it hard to sleep after evening games, so would play computer games into the early hours. As a result, he was too tired to train the following morning. Since these interventions are cheap and effective, even the less well-known teams can benefit. (...)

Whereas in the past, playing after a party and a few hours’ sleep was seen as a badge of honour, a good sleep is now considered an essential part of performance.

Adapted from https://test-english.com/reading

How sleep transformed professional football

A few decades ago, professional footballers spent their nights partying. Now, they are much more aware of the benefits of a good night’s sleep.

The change began in the mid-1990s, when mattress salesman Nick Littlehales contacted the manager of the Manchester United football team, Alex Ferguson, asking whether he had ever considered how sleep affected performance on the pitch. Interested, Ferguson arranged for Littlehales to give a presentation to his team.

Gradually, club managers began to pay more attention to scientific sleep research, and for good reason. (...)

Now, many teams and players are making an effort to improve their sleep patterns, using various means. James Milner from Manchester City found it hard to sleep after evening games, so would play computer games into the early hours. As a result, he was too tired to train the following morning. Since these interventions are cheap and effective, even the less well-known teams can benefit. (...)

Whereas in the past, playing after a party and a few hours’ sleep was seen as a badge of honour, a good sleep is now considered an essential part of performance.

Adapted from https://test-english.com/reading

How sleep transformed professional football

A few decades ago, professional footballers spent their nights partying. Now, they are much more aware of the benefits of a good night’s sleep.

The change began in the mid-1990s, when mattress salesman Nick Littlehales contacted the manager of the Manchester United football team, Alex Ferguson, asking whether he had ever considered how sleep affected performance on the pitch. Interested, Ferguson arranged for Littlehales to give a presentation to his team.

Gradually, club managers began to pay more attention to scientific sleep research, and for good reason. (...)

Now, many teams and players are making an effort to improve their sleep patterns, using various means. James Milner from Manchester City found it hard to sleep after evening games, so would play computer games into the early hours. As a result, he was too tired to train the following morning. Since these interventions are cheap and effective, even the less well-known teams can benefit. (...)

Whereas in the past, playing after a party and a few hours’ sleep was seen as a badge of honour, a good sleep is now considered an essential part of performance.

Adapted from https://test-english.com/reading