The search for happiness: perhaps we cannot imagine something more important for our lives, yet it is not so obvious that an existence must necessarily be directed towards this goal. Of course, well-being, that yes, is something that the more there is, the better. And in all areas, including work.
They know this well in the department of Psychology of the University of Turinwhere a workshop entitled «Contexts and tools for well-being and happiness», held by the psychologist, began Marta Casonato, manager of the study office of Mezzopieno and Semi Onlus, in collaboration with which the course is organized. An initiative that imports some sections of the most popular course ever at Yale University into Italy, “Psychology of Good Life“.
Among the objectives is that, through an experiential approach, to train critical thinking about the forms that happiness and well-being can take in different areas of life. Thus, we spoke to Marta Casonato about happiness and well-being in the workplace, also asking her for some practical advice to train them.
Many argue that we have become “slaves” to the concept of happiness; what do you think?
«Happiness has become a fairly mainstream concept in recent years and the way it is narrated has made it almost a” must “, an additional item on our” to do “lists, another thing to take care of. If we are not happy we feel like losers, especially if we compare ourselves with the image that many of the IG profiles we follow “sell” to us. This charges the well-being and happiness of a counterproductive pressure, which takes us away from the authentic goal: it is not a question of being happy at all costs, but of allowing ourselves the time and space to listen and understand what could make us feel better ».
This workshop also aims to make people understand what the most authentic needs are at work; here, what are they?
«Needs are extremely subjective and vary according to the stages of life. However, research teaches us that there are aspects that, if cultivated, make everyone happier: feeling involved and engaged in interesting things, feeling positive emotions, building and cultivating good relationships, finding meaning in what we do and, for some, achieving results. . A fairly wide range, which ranges from more factual aspects, such as indulging in rewarding experiences, to other more spiritual ones, such as feeling worthy and counting for something. In the laboratory we try to bring the attention of students to all these issues ».
But why do we somehow neglect our most nuclear needs at work, devoting energy to aspects that are not?
“The reasons are manifold. First, not all workplaces promote the organizational health and well-being of employees and collaborators. In these cases, even those who would be inclined to listen to their needs are put to the test (this is why we aim to train future professionals who are attentive to well-being). In other cases, and I am thinking of many women and men I know, we let ourselves be absorbed by performative dynamics without cultivating the other dimensions we have mentioned, even where this would be possible. But in the long run this drains all mental and physical energies and leads to phenomena of addiction to work or progressive exhaustion ».
If you were to define happiness at work, what would you say?
“Happiness at work is not limited to satisfaction with what you do. It is also being able to manage without too much stress the hitches and setbacks and being able to relate in a serene way with colleagues and customers (and maybe even with the management!). But in addition to these dimensions linked to pleasantness, we must not forget that it is crucial, to be happy at work, to feel that our work is important for us, for the organization in which we carry it out and perhaps also for the users. Be careful though! You do not need to be a human rights lawyer to perceive your contribution as useful: a burnout or unmotivated emergency room doctor provides a contribution to the organization and to lower users than a precise and kind cashier or a careful and attentive worker do. meticulous. Each of us can and should feel our contribution valued, in any field we operate ».
What elements has your laboratory borrowed from the Yale course and in which ones does it differ?
«From the Yale course we have borrowed the centrality of the work that each student has to carry out on himself to get involved on the issues addressed, inside and outside the classroom. Whether we are talking about gratitude, savoring the positive things that happen to us, or taking care of our relationships, the issue cannot be addressed only from a theoretical point of view, but necessarily requires working on oneself, to experience it, to feel it. , think it, make it your own. The innovative aspect that we have included is that of confrontation with people who work in various contexts (the community, educational contexts, business) and who have invested a lot in this issue “.
Below, in the gallery, you will find five practical techniques suggested by Casonato to bring more happiness and well-being into your daily life.
Source: Vanity Fair
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