Greater Good - The Science of a Meaningful Life

January has been the month of the New Year’s Diet for many folks, and so I’ve been blogging about why dieting isn’t good for our happiness—or even for our kids’ health. I hope you find some inspiration here!

This month’s posts about body image and dieting:

Please Quit Your Diet, Now
It may be hurting your child.

My Aging Mom Bod
If I love my body at 40, will she love hers at 14?

Not Too Thin, Not Too Fat
How to raise healthy, happy kids.

Podcast: Why Not to Diet
Want to lose weight? Please don’t diet to do it.

Podcast: Dieting and Shame 
Mindful ways to make healthy lifestyle changes

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© 2012 Christine Carter, Ph.D.

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Wondering which Raising Happiness posts were most popular in 2011—on Greater Good and Facebook—and which generated the most comments?  Here’s the list!

11. A Surprisingly Simple Way to Feel Madly in Love
Love Potion No. 9: Gratitude in Relationships

10. What To Do When You Are Unhappy
Feeling better after we feel bad

9. Occupy Parenting, Part 1
Why parents must support the movement

8. How Happy are Your Kids’ Friends’ Friends’ Friends?
It matters MUCH more than you think.

7. The Foundation of Happiness
My favorite gratitude practices.

6. Living Life Fully, Part 1
There is no bucket list.

5. Gratitude vs. Materialism
Holiday happiness is simpler than you might think!

4. Is Stress-Free Parenting Possible?
One day at a time, I think it is.

3. My UC Berkeley Commencement Speech
Brief advice for a life well-lived

2. How to Raise an Unhappy Child
Why do so many people still believe that achievement leads to happiness?

...and the most popular post of 2011 was…

1. Should You Stay or Should You Go?
Some relationship problems are workable. Others aren’t.

Happy New Year, everyone!
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© 2011 Christine Carter, Ph.D.

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We’ve survived Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber-Monday—and for some of us, the holiday shopping has only just begun.  All this shopping, and the materialism it fosters, doesn’t make us happy.

Materialistic folks tend to be dissatisfied with their lives, have low self-esteem, be less integrated into their community, find less meaning in life, and be less concerned about the welfare of others. 

Materialistic kids don’t do as well in school, and are at greater risk for depression, anxiety, and unhappiness; they are less inclined to connect to and help others in their neighborhood and community.

So how can the holidays possibly be happy with all the prompts to think materialistic thoughts and the push to buy, buy, buy?

There’s good news: When we practice gratitude, we can stave off the emotional dangers of the materialism that the December holidays bring. Read the rest of this post to find out how and why. 

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© 2011 Christine Carter, Ph.D.

Become a fan of Raising Happiness on Facebook.
Follow Christine Carter on Twitter
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