Montreal, Canada (PRWEB) December 17, 2013 -- Spending the last few weeks of the year thinking about everything bad about it is quite common – and according to the researchers at Queendom.com, might actually be a good thing. By recognizing what one dislikes is the first step toward change. Rather than simply stewing in dissatisfaction over grievances, Queendom.com encourages people to use it to propel them into action and change in the New Year.
Analyzing data from 1,123 people who took their Life Satisfaction Test, Queendom.com reveals that the majority of people in their sample are dissatisfied with at least some aspects of their life. In fact, with an average satisfaction score of 58 (on a scale from 0 to 100), there is clearly room – and a desire – to improve.
What women are most satisfied with:
• Relationships with friends (score of 68)
• Relationships with family (score of 66)
• Psychological health (score of 66)
What women are least satisfied with:
• Finances (score of 43)
• Romantic life (score of 48)
• Body (score of 52)
What men are most satisfied with:
• Relationships with family (score of 65)
• Relationships with friends (score of 63)
• Psychological health (score of 63)
What men are least satisfied with:
• Romantic life (score of 43)
• Finances (score of 47)
• Chosen job field (score of 56)
Queendom’s study also reveals that:
• Life satisfaction in general increased with age, particularly satisfaction with one’s body. Older age groups are also more resilient, have a more positive outlook, and are less likely to dwell on issues that bother them.
• Life satisfaction increases as socio-economic status increases.
• Married people are more satisfied with their life compared to single people, with the latter being more pessimistic and more likely to dwell on problems.
• People who engage in religious or spiritual practices are slightly more satisfied than people who don’t.
• People with children are more satisfied with their life than people who don’t, although their sense of fun and pleasure was slightly lower.
“While there is a clear sense of dissatisfaction, our average score on Sense of Purpose/Meaning was at 73. This means that while most people are unhappy with certain aspects of their life, they still feel that their life is important - that it’s worth living, explains Dr. Ilona Jerabek, president of the company.
“This is why we feel that dissatisfaction is not necessarily a bad thing," explains Deborah Muoio, a researcher at Queendom. If anything, it pushes people to change and improve - perhaps even gives some a reason to live. And with an average score of 56 on Sense of Accomplishment, there is much we are still aiming for and desire to achieve. We’re human ‘beings’ – we have an inherent desire to do and be something.”
Here are some tips from Queendom to increase life satisfaction in 2014:
• Let it out. A study on negative life events revealed that people who wrote out what was bothering them or who talked things out with someone showed an improvement in mental health and life satisfaction. So when something is bothering you, don't keep it locked up inside. A problem can often feel less intense when we can share that burden, so to speak. Release all your negative feelings and thoughts in a journal. Talk to a trusted friend, a spiritual leader, a therapist, or join an online community that focuses on helping others get through personal and emotional difficulties. There is always help out there.
• Develop an attitude of gratitude. It seems to be human nature to focus on the negative - just turn on the TV to the latest news reports. Rather than focusing on everything that is going wrong in your life however, why not focus on what's going right? On the one hand, you may not have a great deal of money in your bank account, or your ideal partner or body. So what do you have? Two eyes to read this. A heart that beats. A sunset. Friends. A car. A home. Really dig deep and find all the things that you have to be appreciative of, no matter how minor they may seem.
• Find your "raison-d'être". Whether it's a hobby, raising your children, training/fostering animals until they're adoptable, creating art or music, or volunteering, find something that adds meaning to your life. This sense of passion will make you feel renewed, and help you realize how special and important you really are. Not to mention the fact that you will be making a positive impact on someone's life.
• Read inspirational books. There's nothing more inspiring than reading about people just like you – people who went through the same hardships and still managed to come out on top. It gives you hope and a reason to keep trying. Examples of some good inspirational books include Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search For Meaning", Stephen Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People", Louise Hay's "You Can Heal Your Life", Herman Hesse's "Siddhartha", Barbara Delinksky's "Uplift: Secrets from the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors", and Nelson Mandela's "Long walk to Freedom", to name just a few.
• Set goals. Even if it's just "to clean out the garage and have a garage sale,” a goal sets your focus on something to achieve. It gives your life a sense of purpose. Nothing can be more draining than being in an unproductive rut. Set some solid goals that are challenging but achievable, and chances are that you'll feel motivated to keep going. In the least, it will keep your mind off of what isn't going well in your life.
• Remember, your moment of power is now. The past is done. The future is yet to be determined. Keeping your mind and energy locked on regrets from the past or on fear of what may come leaves you feeling powerless. All that matters is the now. This is where all your power is. You have control over THIS moment right now. You have the power to decide whether you will spend it worrying and fretting or spend it actually living.
Interested in taking stock of your life? You can take the Life Satisfaction Test at: http://www.queendom.com/tests/take_test.php?idRegTest=3297.
About Queendom.com
Queendom.com is a subsidiary of PsychTests AIM Inc. Queendom.com is a site that creates an interactive venue for self-exploration with a healthy dose of fun. The site offers a full range of professional-quality, scientifically-validated psychological assessments that empower people to grow and reach their real potential through insightful feedback and detailed, custom-tailored analysis.
About PsychTests AIM Inc.:
PsychTests AIM Inc. originally appeared on the internet scene in 1996. Since its inception, it has become a pre-eminent provider of psychological assessment products and services to human resource personnel, therapists, academics, researchers and a host of other professionals around the world. PsychTests AIM Inc. staff is comprised of a dedicated team of psychologists, test developers, researchers, statisticians, writers, and artificial intelligence experts (see ARCHProfile.com). The company’s research division, Plumeus Inc., is supported in part by Research and Development Tax Credit awarded by Industry Canada.
Ilona Jerabek, PhD, PsychTests AIM Inc., http://testyourself.psychtests.com/, +1 (514) 745-3189 Ext: 112, [email protected]
SOURCE PsychTests AIM Inc.
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