Why Wait for Middle Age to Become Happy?

Learning social and emotional skills improves kids' chances for early success and happiness

Jun 01, 2010
bubble 5 comments
Submitted by: Ginny Deerin

A new study based on Gallup polling, published in The New York Times, finds that people start to get happier around age 50. Enjoyment and happiness rises steadily for 25 years after that point. The survey measured something called "global well-being."

We already know from major advances in the neuroscience of learning, that teaching kids social and emotional skills helps them find success and happiness. So why not start in the early years?

That's what WINGS does.

Learn more about social and emotional development in children

Middle Aged Happiness

On August 14th, 2010 Natalie Prioleau says:

I first learned about this little known nugget of info in church. I actually wasn't surprised because it seemed to me that people have to learn happiness. I think we have to be coached to find positives because complaining and negativity come more naturally to us. However, I believe that it takes people like the Wings founder Ginny, and the incredible staff of Wings to teach this to younger generations.

Facebook Spinoff :)

On August 12th, 2010 Bridgett Ann Mi... says:

"Bridgett Milligan likes this!" :)

I soar with WINGS! The skills I've learned, and will teach, help others and I to fly high! ♥

Manage Stress Early On

On August 2nd, 2010 cristy mccrery says:

Perhaps people feel satisfied because by then, you typically have a family, children are grown, and have a stable job. But the article also stated that worry is something people experience and dies down as you get older because there are less things to worry about. WINGS teaches kids how to handle worry and stress early on by doing yoga activities, making stress balls, and playing breathing games. Kids also make worry jars where they write down all their worries on strips of paper and put them in a jar and close the lid. Once you practice these techniques, you use them often and deal with your stress better. 

Happiness

On August 18th, 2010 Brooke Southern says:

I completely agree with Christy.  Growing up, people find it difficult to manage stress piled up from school, work, drama, becoming an adult, and indecisiveness about many things.  Most of the time, this all becomes too much for people in their younger years to handle.  Adults have been through more and experienced more so they have learned how to manage stress and have true happiness.  Having a family and a stable job definitely helps fill those empty spots in a person's life.  WINGS is a great program for kids to learn different techniques to manage problems such as stress and hopefully discover happiness before the average age of 50.

All of these techniques, I'm

On August 16th, 2010 Stephanie Smith says:

All of these techniques, I'm all to familiar with when we teach them to the kids.  However, I think its funny that I occasionally find myself being sucked into my pit of negativity and forget to put the techniques into practice.