Random Acts of Kindness

Since I’m having a better than average weekend (and this is saying something as weekends come primed for success being as I’m not engaged in fee for service tasks) I thought I’d share some information gained while doing research for RAK (Random Acts of Kindness). This is because as part of the Wellness Committee I have offered to go in early to work tomorrow and hand out treats (Mars bars are on offer) and some examples of RAK to the employees to start the week off in the right spirit. This is what I found on living life to the fullest:

Joie de vivre. We all know people whose engagement with life can only be described as joyful. Fittingly, nature rewards these happy-go-lucky types: Being optimistic in middle age increases life span by at least 7.5 years—even after accounting for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and physical health, according to a large Yale University survey. What's behind their hardiness: They minimize the destructive effects of stress.
"Of course, optimists get stressed," says David Snowdon, a professor of neurology at the University of Kentucky who studies aging. "But they automatically turn the response off much more quickly and return to a positive mental and physical state."
Here are four habits that longevity experts say are at the heart of a sunny disposition—and that you can adopt, too.
1. THEY WORK THEIR CELL PHONES
Perhaps your neighborhood gossip is on to something: All that chitchat keeps her plugged into a thriving social network—and people who socialize at least once a week are more likely to live longer, keep their brains sharp, and prevent heart attacks. One reason: "Just talking on the phone to a friend has the immediate effect of lowering your blood pressure and cortisol levels," says Teresa Seeman, PhD, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at UCLA.
"Our research shows that having good long-term relationships provides as many physical benefits as being active or a nonsmoker." Make the effort to connect with the friends you already have. Call now, and before you hang up, schedule a lunch date—personal contact is even better.
2. THEY EXPRESS GRATITUDE (WITHIN REASON)
Buoy your spirits by recording happy events on paper, your computer, or a PDA. People who write about all the things they are thankful for are optimistic about the upcoming week and more satisfied overall with their lives, according to a University of California, Davis, study. They also feel physically stronger.
"It's hard to be bitter and mad when you're feeling grateful," says Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, author of the upcoming book, "The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want." But don't overdo it. Women who kept a gratitude journal only once a week got a bigger boost in happiness than those asked to record their good fortune three times a week. Find the frequency that works for you - giving thanks shouldn't feel like a chore.
3. THEY'RE RANDOMLY KIND
Do you perform five acts of kindness in any given day? That's the number of good deeds that boosts your sense of well-being and happiness, according to research by Lyubomirsky. Your karmic acts can be minor and unplanned - giving up your seat on the bus; buying an extra latte to give to a coworker. You'll find that the payback greatly exceeds the effort. "You see how much you're appreciated and liked by others," she says. Be sure to keep up the good work: When Lyubomirsky asked her study subjects to space their five good deeds over the course of a week, the actions started to seem routine and lost some of their therapeutic effects. But don't fret if you can't make the quota daily. "Being spontaneously kind also delivers rewards," she says.
4. THEY REAPPRAISE THEIR LIVES
Yes, you can rewrite history—and feel better about yourself in the bargain. Set aside a little time each week to write about or record—or even just mentally revisit—an important event in your past. Reflecting on the experience can reshape your perception of it, as well as your expectations for the future, says Robert N. Butler, MD, president of the International Longevity Center-USA in New York City. When creating this "life review," you get to list all your accomplishments—an instant self-esteem booster. Organize your historical review by epochs: your postcollege years, early marriage, career, motherhood. Subdivide each section into triumphs, missteps, and lessons for the future.
It's helpful to look at the bad times as well as the good. Perhaps now that a few years have passed, you'll be able to see how that breakup or failed job opportunity opened other doors and finally forgive yourself—and your ex-boyfriend or would-be boss. "Even if a memory is painful, it's good to work through it," says Butler. "If you can come to terms with past events, you'll be better able to handle tough times down the road." So be honest, but also go easy on yourself. Remember: You are the heroine in this tale.
The Best Kind of Pessimist
If you're an irritable sort who thinks of your eternally cheery neighbor as a delusional Pollyanna, are you doomed to poor health? Not if you're an active pessimist, a feisty spirit who loves to complain, criticize, and generally mix it up with others—but then takes action. "Active pessimists do battle with life. Being that engaged is actually good for them and can provide some of the same benefits that optimists enjoy," says Toni Antonucci, PhD, director of the Life Course Development Program of the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan.
Passive pessimists, on the other hand, feel paralyzed by gloom, have given up on themselves and life, and will likely live fewer years because of their bummer attitude.

I’ve been trying this on this weekend as I’ve slept in both days – the best treat I can give myself as a NON-lark - morning person. Yesterday was a rainy, windy day with the shore captain unloading fish and so the animals and I took advantage of it to veg out. I did manage to make brown bread, an apple cake and do two loads of wash but this was decidedly a low output day compared to my recent schedule. After supper we headed up to friends up the road for an evening of snacks, beverages and conversation until the life partner (who had been up since 5 a.m) fell asleep upright in a straight backed dining room chair so it was time to take the old fella home.

Today was a slow starter for us with Dutch apple pancakes, the Sunday paper read and crossword completed before starting anything more strenuous. It turned out to be a day to get some ‘around the place’ tasks crossed off the to-do list. While I hung out laundry as it was breezy but gloriously warm (in the 20s) the newly interested gardener put mulch around the shrubs we had transplanted last weekend. Then I convinced him to hang up my old fashioned washboards in the laundry room, the pencil drawings of birds in the living room, as they needed to be relocated since the bookcase was installed, and even redistribute the duck decoys on the top of the kitchen cabinets. They of course were wearing a years worth of dust and it was a two-person job as each one had to be taken down, washed and then put in a place approved by the interior designer because two of them had gone to the top of the bookcase. I was even more pleased as he went on to fix some seams in the flooring. Really pushing my luck here I thought, as the races will be on TV shortly. As I am considering that if this is what retirement is like for us I could certainly handle it…it occurs to me that mister is particularly accommodating as hunting season is shortly upon us.

After a dog walk and some more puttering it is time to think of supper because we’re headed out to the movies. Mister has agreed that we should see Mr. Woodcock and although a 15-year-old male gave it two thumbs down he also loved Superbad so I’m not counting his review. I will keep you posted as to whether it suited 51-year-old senses of humour.
Too bad every day can’t be a weekend day but then I guess then it would be…. retirement.