The document discusses pathways to happiness through increasing energy levels and promoting personal holidays for self-care and wellness. It highlights the importance of sleep, cultural changes toward work-life balance, and various policy initiatives that support mental health and community engagement. Examples of cities implementing these practices are provided, emphasizing the need for societal acceptance of these values.

1. Pathways to Happiness
for health
in the area of having energy

2. Pathways to Happiness are ways
to increase our health
by increasing our energy level

3. We are
doing
well in
the area
of health
but with
some
decline
over the
years
100= happiest

4. A score of 40 and below means we have satisfaction with our energy level, and of 60 and above means we feel satisfied with our level of energy
Overall, we are
satisfied with
energy level, with a
small increase over
the years.

5. Courageous Policies

6. Promoting & Providing Personal Holidays
Increase awareness of importance of taking care of oneself.
Encourage employers to provide personal holidays.
Include personal holidays as part of government employment
benefits.
Personal Holidays are designed to be a day off to focus on one’s
happiness and wellness.

7. Resources for Personal Holidays
Example Cities with Personal Holidays:
City of Portland, Oregon offers 3 personal holidays a year:
https://www.portlandoregon.gov/citycode/?c=27938&a=12412
City of Madison offers 3.5 personal holidays a year:
https://www.cityofmadison.com/human-resources/benefits/vacation-holidays

8. Raise Awareness about Importance of
Sleep
Increase awareness of the down side of not having enough
sleep and the upside of having enough sleep.
Make getting enough sleep a socially desirable activity.

9. Resources for Awareness Raising about Importance of Sleep
Example City Project:
Promoting Healthy Sleep – City of De Pere, Wisconsin
https://www.de-pere.org/egov/apps/document/center.egov?view=detail&id=4866
Article:
Raising Awareness of Sleep as a Healthy Behavior by G. Perry, S. Patil & L.
Presley-Cantrell
https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2013/13_0081.htm
Sleep Awareness Resources:
National Sleep Awareness Project
http://www.sleepeducation.org/healthysleep

10. What’s it going to take?

11. Cultural acceptance of an
integrated perspective on work
and life.
Rather than celebrating a work hard, play
hard attitude, celebrating quality of life in
which rest and work are linked.

12. Take a personal holiday
Take a day or even an
hour to conscientiously
take care of yourself by
resting.

13. Other policies in the Pathways to Happiness tool series
Campaign finance reform
Guaranteed basic income
Media reform
Massive public transportation
Local food reliance
Village living (cities and rural)
Multi-use zoning
Public spaces
Political festivals
Participatory governance
Participatory budgeting
Anti-corruption policies
Transparency in government
Compassion training for police
Community-based monitoring
Sousveillance
Vote holiday
Vacation laws
Family & Sick leave laws
Flex time and job share laws
Telecommuting policies
Babies at work policies
Intergenerational care
Department of Neighborhoods
Volunteer programs
Conservation Easements
Expansion of Parks
Adult & Kid Park Programs
Parent Support Program
Self-Discovery Programs
Job Placement Programs
Urban Growth Boundary Ordinances
Urban Stream Daylighting
Green and Living building ordinances
Solar and Green Energy Development
Same Sex Marriage Laws
Public child care
Age-friendly cities
Loneliness awareness campaign
Heritage Programs
Rural Colleges
Arts & Culture Policy
Lifelong Learning Programs
War on Adult illiteracy
Low Cost & Tuition Free College
Mindfulness practice in schools
Social justice awareness raising
Mental health –priority counseling
Part time worker choice protection
Compassionate Charter & Games
Ban on Advertising to Children
Elimination of Food Deserts
Zero Waste Restaurant and Supermarket
Limits on Rates Charged by Credit Card Companies
College Loan Forgiveness
Savings Tax Incentives for Low and Middle Income
Investing in Engagement in Community Centers and Parks
Ordinances to Encourage and Reward Urban Agriculture
Comprehensive Plans for Walk able Cities and Towns
Encourage and Support Street Vendors
Bike Friendly Cities and Towns
Increase and Preserve Green Cover
Promoting and Providing Personal Holidays
Raise Awareness About the Importance of Sleep

14. We envision a world where all beings can thrive.
Can you envision it too?
happycounts.org