Mastering the 5Gs for an Enhanced You
Happiness: Mastering the 5Gs for an Enhanced You is all about the small, powerful, yet simple steps to spark joy in your everyday life.
The book introduces you to five transformative concepts—all starting with the letter “G”. These five practices are packed with mindfulness and fulfilment, but also backed by scientific discoveries and real-life experiences.
This book is not about grand life overhauls or impossible promises. It introduces the five transformative concepts of 5Gs—practices designed to cultivate a meaningful life—and shares small, actionable steps that you can easily practise anytime and everywhere.
This quintet of principles will surely become part of who you are as you navigate the adversities of life with resilience and grace. Accompanied by down-to-earth insights, personal experiences and scientific evidence, this book offers a fresh approach to happiness as an ongoing journey and a process.
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
1 What are the 5Gs of Happiness?
Happiness as the Path
But … Why Should I Invest in Happiness?
The 5Gs of Happiness Investment
2 Greeting, The Power of Hello
The Catalyst for Connection
Starting with the Little Conversations
Acknowledging Human Existence
The Universality of Greetings
But What if I am Socially Anxious?
Visualisation and Experience: Greeting
Summary
3 Giving, The Helper's High
Survival of the Givers
The Helper’s High
Giving is Good for Business
The Cycle of Generosity and Upstream Reciprocity
Instant Karma and Selfish Altruism
A Note on Loving-Kindness Meditation
Visualisation and Experience: Giving
Summary
4 Gratitude, Living Life in Full Colour
An Evolutionary Social Glue
The Grateful Body and Brain
Being Grateful for the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Seeing the World in Full Colour
Visualisation and Experience: Gratitude
Summary
5 Glorifying Skilfulness, Basking in Others' Triumphs
When Comparing Goes Wrong
Pay Attention. Be Astonished. Tell (Others) About It
Helping People Feel Seen
Visualisation and Experience: Glorifying Skilfulness
Summary
6 Giggle, No, It is Not a Joke
The Brain and Body on Laughter
Life is Lighter with Laughter
Laugh and Preserve Life
Why Should We Laugh?
Visualisation and Experience: Giggle
Summary
7 The History of the 5Gs
Synthesising Happiness: Spiritual and Religious Inspirations
Friendliness
Compassion
Praise and Gratitude
A Word on Faith
And Then Came Giggling
A Comment on Religiosity and Happiness
Summary
8 Mental Health, Well-Being and Being Happy
Why This Chapter?
Defining Happiness and the Good Life
Are Some People Born Happier than Others?
The Business of Happiness
Buying Happiness
Consumption to Connection
Happiness is Connection
Neuroplasticity of the Brain: Clue to Better Mental Health
When You’re Happy and You Know It
Friendliness and Happiness at the Workplace
The 5Gs are Your ‘Chill Pill’
Summary
9 Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
What is Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS)?
Deep Dive: The Five Steps of MHPSS
How About Mental Illness?
How Do We Help People with Psychological Disorders?
Prosocial Initiatives as Promotion of Wellness and A Buffer for Societal Stress
Bonus: Unfocus to Engage the Default Mode Network
10 Conclusion
Afterword
About the Authors
Bibliography
Index
Alvin Ng Lai Oon is a Professor at the Department of Psychology, Ƶ University, Malaysia. He is also the Founding President of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology, which he established in 2010.
Janessa Tan is a health writer, certified yoga and spin instructor, and MSc graduate in Health Psychology from the University of Portsmouth. Janessa integrates psychological, physical, and lifestyle factors in her writing and coaching to inspire meaningful change.
Basic Information
- 978-629-7646-29-9 (Paperback)
