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((One of the bestways to rnal(eyourseLf h.ppyis to rna.l(e otherpeople h.ppy.One of'thebest)-loways Lo maheother peopLeh.ppy is to beh.ppy younseLf."-Gretchen Rubin,author of The HappinessProjectaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaa aaaeaa aaaaaaaaaaaScience ofHappinessn this badge, you are the test subject and your life isyour laboratory. You'll find out how scientists measurehappiness, and you'll put their results into action. You'l]also get to perform a happiness experiment on your friendsor family-all with the goal of making your world ahappier place.Stepsyourself happier2. Think differently for happiness1. Make3. Get happy through others4. Do a helpfulhappiness experiment5. Create a happiness action planPurposeWhen l've earned this badge, l'll know how to use the scienceof happiness to make myworld the happiest place it can be.sctENcEo, ,orr,* r, ,

Tips Before Takeoff)Sign your Girl Scoutlnternet Safety Pledtebefore you begin this badge.)In this badge, you're both the experimenter and the research subject!journal to record the results of your happiness experiments, soyou'll end the badge with a record of the strategies that work for you.Keep)a!n each step, you'llexperiment with one activity science says willincrease your happiness. lf you find the method doesn't work foryou, you might go back and pick a different choice to see if anothermethod is more effective. That's the scientific process.STEP1r#, urserrWhat would make you happiest? Money? Cool clothes?Living in a mansion on a tropical island? Such things may makeyou happy for a while, but science shows they aren't what keepyou happy in the long run. What is? Pleasure, engagement, andmeaning (see the box for more information). ln this step, practicegptting more engagement and meaning in your daily life. Do oneof these choices for two weeks.cHotcEs - Do oNE:nGet into a state of "flow." When you hit your flow, you're really intowhatever you're doing. You get so focused that you might not notice timeflying by! Try getting into the flow of playing a sport, reading a great storyor doing a cool craft project for at least a half hour each day.OEnTakinggood care ofyourself is anotherfactor in happinessexercise is great for yourbody and your mood!a!a aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaajournal or in a video or audiorecording, write down, draw, or record three things that went well each dayand why you consider them blessings.Count three blessings. InORnJaaaaata gratitudeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaStop and smell the roses! Pay attention to the little things that make youhappy. Try taking mental photographs of the things you love throughoutyour day-it might be a pretty sunset, afuzzy dog, or a food that tastesreally good. Record three to five things every day.Focus on pteasure. During your two weeks, record how you feel amovie,eatingapiece of cake, or window shopping. Comparehow happy thess rftomeiltsmade you versus your happiness level while doing the choice you piCked(which science says will makeyou happier*seethe box),,,v

re il?4:r1 1 aSTEPv ,aThink differentlyfor happinessa:Careers to Explorer Psychologistr CareercounselorSometimes you can't change what happens in your day, but youcan change howyou reactto it. Scientists saythat people whostay positive, or are "optimistic," are happier, even if more badthings happen to them! Choose one of these ideas, and use it fortwo weeks each time something happens that upsets you. Don'tforget to track your results!o Conflict mediatorr Socialworkero Sports psychologistcHorcEs - Do oNE:o ClerSy persontrFocus on what's realistic. Sometimes our worries make us focus on thevery worst outcome, even when that's pretty unlikely to happen. Duringyour two weeks, when you start to feei negative about something that'scoming up, write down what you think the worst part could be, what thebest part could be, and what you think will most like1y happen. When youIook at all sides realistically, does it help you feel more Try to use your strengths. Maybe you're good at listening, a whiz atmath, or have a great sense of humor (see page 4). Make a list of all yourstrengths. (If you're having a hard time thinking of them, ask your friendswhat they are!) Then, when you have to face something tough in the nexttwo weeks, focus on what you're good at and think of how you could usetrusted adult, go to www.authentichappiness.organd try their VIA Strength Survey for Children (8-t7) to see what scienceWitho Physicaltherapisto Psychiatrist.High schoolguidancecounseloro Medicalresearcher.Pediatriciano Day care worker. Artormusictherapistr Motivational speakero Advicecolumnisto Cartoonisto Novelasto Copywriterone ofyour strengths.FoR MoRE FUN:1 .:'ii.r.!i EaoWedding photographero Newproduct developersays your strengths are.ORnaaaa3aaaaaaaaaaaaa.aaBe happyfor others. Scientistsa a a a a aaaa.say that if you celebratea aawith someone,So when a friend or family member tells you aboutsomething great in their lives, pay attention and try to be happy for themeven if you're busy or a little jealous. Celebrate with some kind words, byasking more about what's happening, or even by giving a short speech intheir honor. See how you feel-are you more positive about youryou'll be happier.rcrown situation?ZD-v-sctEN.Eo, ,or",*.r, ,

In!i.:.,.il.i.'',11i': .,.,"'. i:,.v ,.,.,-.j ,,.".::.,i.""""'"-,,.--"'.--. .iaJYour "signature strengths" are the things you're good at. Positive psychologistDr. Martin Seligman has found that people are happiest when using their strengths,and that these strengths tend to1.Creativity:fit into 24 categories. Which strengthsYou lovefinding new,Curiosity:You take an15.Open-mindedness: You'reable to see things from all sides3.7.You do not back downfromYou finish whatyou8. Integrity: You present yourselfin a genuine way and takeresponsibility for your actionsVitality: You approach lifewith excitement and energy9.Love: You value yourrelationships with family and closefriends, and theyvalue you1O.Kindness: You're generous; you enjoydoingfavors and good deeds for othersSoclal int lligence: You're awareof the feelings of yourself and others12.13.Gitizenship:17.Humility:You don't seek attention,Prudence: You weigh your choicescarefully and think before you act18.start, no matter what stands in your way11.Forgiveness:speak for themselvesyou know you are rightFersistence:16.letting your accomplishmentsWisdom: You have a wayoflooking at the world that makessense to other people5.Bravery:You like leadingYou feel comfortablegiving people second chances4. Love of learning: You loveto learn new ideas and skills6.Leadership:groups; you're comfortable motivatingpeople and helping everyone get alonginterest in new experiencesa challenge ifFairness: You treat all peoplefairly; you aren't biasedand interesting ways do things2.14.are yours?You workwell in a groupor team, and you're loyal to your group19.VSelf-regulation: You'reable to control your impulses2O.Appreciation of beautyand excellence:You noticethe beauty in everyday life21. Gratitude: You're aware ofthe good things in your life andtake the time to express thanksHope: You expectgoodthings to happen; you believethe future is in your control22.23.Humor:You love to laughand make other people laugh24.Spirituality:You have strongbeliefs in a higher purposev

STEPu3S.'nt*:'PYthroushOne of the most common ways tofind engagementand meaningisin our relationships. Agood wayforyou to be happyonthe inside isto care about others and focus on relationships with people on theoutside. ln steps 1 and 2, you worked on yourself so now it's time toworkon your relationships with others. Do oneof these activitiesat least twice so you'll know if it works for you. Record the resultsinyourjournal.tfueselittlethin6youcHorcEs - Do oNE:nndoforothersGatrMake a gratitude visit. Thank a mentor, friend, teacher, coach, or familymember who has helped you in some way. Visit them face-to-face, and tellthem why you're thanking them and how they helped. After you have donethat, ask yourself how you feel. What was hard or easy about this? Howlong did the effect last?ORaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaWriteaIrry ness .i!EA ,. O,ffi.sYi 71b1fifforgiveness letter. In a handwritten note to a mentor, friend,teacher, coach, or family member, ask them to forgive you for somethingORnadduptobigaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayou might have done wrong. If you stop feeling bad about what you did,the science ofhappiness says you'Il be happier. Send the letter and see howyou feel. What was hard or easy about this? How long did the feeling last?(/TtP: Even doing "small" thingsfcr others can increaseour happines-stuff likeeomplimenting a friend'soutfit, helping sorn{eoilecarry their books, or puttingaway the family grocarieswithout beingasked. Alla aaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a aaa aaaa aaaaaMake something meaningful. Ma-ke a collage, video, or painting thatshows how much someone means to you. Explain to them why you madeit and what it means. Once you give it to them, see how you feel. What washard or easy about this? How long didthe feeling last?a'{lffi .t!ItffiltJlTIt,J,N

crlau, ta- UJnlrpq'Swryog'What do you think is somethinga happy person would sayand why? Choosefive differenthappiness factors you wantto test. Then, for each one,create a statement that Yourtest subjects will rate from 1 to5-1 meaning it isn't at alltrueand 5 meaning your subjectfeels that way all the time.The factors your subjects ratethe highest are likely thosethat make them happiest.STEPa helpful happinessArDoIThe science of how you think, or psychology, used to focusonly on mental illnesses. Now scientists also try to find outwhat makes people stay well-iust as exercising keepsyour body strong!, staying happy keeps your spirit strong.So "positive psychologlists" test peopte's happiness. ln thisstep, do your own experiment to test the happiness of agroup. Share your results so the whole group can be happier!trHere are some example(a high score means this persongets happy through "fl ow)trtheyapologize;'(a high score means this persongets happy through forgiveness)o@@@@o@@@@"Even when things look bad,I try to see the bright side."La a a a a aaaaaaaaaaaaaataaaaaaa.aa.aTry quick potling. Through e-mail, IM, texts, or verbal questions, askro schoolmates or Girl Scout sisters to rate how happy they feel at threedifferent moments throughout the day on a scale from r to 5, with 5 beingvery happy and r meaning they're not happy at all. Also, ask them whatthey are doing at each moment and who they're with. The science saysif they're doing something they find meaningful with people they care about, they'll be happier than if they're alone or disinterested. Is that qtrue for your group? Afterward, make a chart to share with your friends.Explain what you measured, and share ideas about what could make themeven happier. (If you're going online for this choice, remember to do sowith an adultl)ffi"Even if someone hurtsme, lforgive them if(meaning)iIIDesiln your own five-question happiness survey. Happiness surveysusually indude statements that subjects agree or disagree with on a scale.Use what you've learned about happiness to make some statements foryour suwey (see the box for tips). Give it to a group of friends -maybe youcan help them find their strengths, point out where they might be moreoptimistic, or share the power of gratitude!Ono@@@@"l like to share mytalents with others."tcHotcEs - Do oNE:statements:"When l'm doing somethingI love, time seems to fly by."vexperamentORtra a a a aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaa a.a.aaaFocus on one friend. Talk to a friend who seems sad, and ask if you canhelp them become happier with what you've learned. Suggest an activityto do together, and try one of the tips for being happy. For example, youcould help them find their strengths or count their own blessings. Whichtip helped them feel better?a1 Ii(staying positive)o@@@@"Myfamily and friendsare the most importantthingsto me."(being with other people)o@@@@"l'IaI;z.f V,Q,-.,.,t:'.,,,,,-','.';i:;,,:;-