New Delhi, Aug 17: Happiness is no longer a state of
mind, in today's e-age it is just a click away!
Online happiness clubs are offering tailor-made programmes
like happy classes to self-help books to special accessories
that can help boost careers and love lives and if one were to
believe them, cyber addicts are enrolling for online happiness
programmes in large numbers.
One of the clubs claims to have 59095 members and
geographical boundaries don't matter.
"Finding true happiness is a very personal journey. The
happy class, provided in nine easy lessons direct to your
inbox, guides you to discover the habits you can adopt today
to increase joy and reduce stress. The get happy workbook to
help create a personal action plan for happiness based on
one's strengths and weaknesses," says David Leonhardt of an
online club.
Being happy is a skill which one can learn, says Lionel
Ketchian of another club. An online "PHD certified happiness
test is also available which gauges the happiness index of a
person.
Another club offers a "daily dose of happiness" which it
claims "motivates you, inspires you, elevates your spirits
each day. This popular, short and free ezine gives you a happy
quote, a self-actualization thought or a practical tip on how
to be happy (or happier) in your e-mail inbox every day. One
day it might be about boosting self-esteem, another day about
reducing stress. , still another might be about gratitude or
meditation or positive thinking."
However noted psychiatrist Dr Samir Parikh says "online
happiness clubs should not be seen as a clinical cure for
depression and related illnesses. But for a large number of
people the online clubs and blogs act as support groups where
they share a common platform and discuss their problems."
"In such limited cases, it can be of some help rather than
for treating depression, he says.
Meanwhile, a number of online happiness stores are offering
books, CDs, posters, which they claim contain "practical
guidelines which a person can follow for leading a happy and
successful life". They can be ordered online and are available
for a price.
A number of blogs too have come up which claim to offer
"insightful" write ups on how to be happy and also offer
discussion forums for those feeling "low".
There is even a map available online which tracks world
happiness - people in which all cities are more happy.
However, Dr Parikh says "happiness is a state of mind, and
a person who can cope with the pressures of life and do a
balancing act, can sufficiently remain happy."
Bureau Report