How to Teach Your Teen To Count Their Blessings

Most teens think their life would be happier if they had the newest gadget or more money or a better car. Surveys and research show that people probably won't be much happier in the long run even if they won the lottery. Happiness depends more on heredity and what is known as the happiness set-point that shows any given person is happier depending on the ups and downs of certain experiences and repeatedly reverts to a certain level. Why teens believe more would be better is based on illusion more than anything. Teach your child to be happy with what they have by reminding them that nothing is more important than when you're thinking about it. Be happy in the here and now with what you have. Read on to learn how.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

How to Teach Your Teen To Count Their Blessings

1. Teach them that the tendency to exaggerate the importance of what's in our minds can get in the way of enjoying what you already have. In one study, college students were asked if they'd be happier if they had more dates in the next month but there was no correlation to happiness to the number of dates they had previously had.
2. Teach them to not focus on the moment-to-moment happiness or unhappiness of others. The grass is always greener on the other side does not hold up and all people have problems they deal with. We tend to greatly over estimate other people's happiness.
3. Teach them that there is a difference between what we think about happiness and what we feel. Immediate gratification and overall happiness are not the same. Personal income and pleasant feelings are not correlated; in fact, a higher income is closely related to higher tension and unhappiness.
4. Teach them that overall happiness and an attitude of gratitude will take you farther than any new gadget or gift. Be thankful for your natural talents and abilities. You can always find someone worse off then you and it seems like you'll see that when you open your eyes outward and upward instead of self-centered and inward.

Tips & Warnings

• Focusing on the illusion of happiness is not good. Being in touch with the reality of good things in your life will lead your teen to making good choices about what they think will make them truly happy--not what will give them immediate gratification.