Van Le Counseling

06/25/2025

11/28/2024

04/01/2024

It's been a while since I shared an Action for Happiness Calendar, mostly just because I forget that not everyone knows they exist! They are free, available in lots of languages, and come out each month with bite-sized daily activities and prompts for improving your wellbeing.

This month the theme is ACTIVE APRIL with a big focus on physical health. What's that got to do with mental health and wellbeing? I'm glad you asked:

Prioritizing physical wellbeing through regular exercise, a balanced diet, and attentive care of the body is essential for fostering good mental health and overall wellbeing. Scientific research consistently demonstrates the interconnectedness of the body and mind, highlighting how physical activity releases endorphins, neurotransmitters that promote feelings of happiness and reduce stress.

A nutritious diet rich in essential nutrients provides the fuel necessary for optimal brain function, enhancing mood stability and cognitive performance. Moreover, practicing self-care by attending to physical needs fosters a sense of self-worth and confidence, nurturing a positive self-image and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Ultimately, investing in physical wellbeing lays a solid foundation for holistic health, empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives marked by vitality, resilience, and emotional equilibrium.

You can download your printable copy here: https://actionforhappiness.org/calendar

03/10/2024

The fundamental attribution error is the attribution of the source of behaviour to the character and personality of a person above the consideration of context. It's sometimes described as over-attributing causes to disposition over situation.

In a classic example, if a driver swerves in front of you suddenly, it's easy to attribute the cause of the behaviour to the driver being a jerk, i.e. to their character. What we may not see is that the driver is late to pick up their kids, was distracted by a challenging conversation they just had at work, and they're worried they've gone the wrong way and are driving an unfamiliar car.

If a colleague is late to meet us, we might infer that the person is lazy or disrespectful when, in fact, they may have been held up by a traffic accident, been on the phone with a sick relative, and have had trouble sleeping lately. If we are late for a meeting, well, then it's probably for all sorts of good reasons outside our control.

Like confirmation bias, the fundamental attribution error is a big one that can easily colour our interactions with others without us being aware of it.

Some ways to minimise it include:
- Remember that what we see is just a tiny fraction of any other person's life and that we don't see the complete picture.
- Minimise judgment, particularly around character and personality.
- Avoid jumping to conclusions.
- Where appropriate, ask if anything is bothering others.
- Build empathy for others as you would for yourself.
- Reflect on the positive things others do.