Catherine O'Brien - Children's Mobility & Sustainable Happiness

Sustainable HappinessSustainable Happinessand Children’s Mobilityand Children’s Mobility

Catherine O’Brien, PhDCatherine O’Brien, PhD

SchoolSchool of Graduate and Professional Studiesof Graduate and Professional Studies

EducationEducation Department,Cape Breton UniversityDepartment,Cape Breton University

Delightful PlacesDelightful Places

“Delightful places are best incorporated into routine

experiences and not once in a while places to enjoy. Relaxation

in a city needs to be almost like routine treatments – once a

year is helpful but not lasting. A little pleasantness almost every

day starts to have a cumulative and positive effect.”

Respondent’s comments, 2005 Delightful Places Survey

Top Ten Descriptions of Delightful Places

A pleasure to walk through Peaceful Beautiful Appealing for children Lots of visible green space Appealing for youth Appealing for seniors Welcoming Natural A pleasure to ride a bicycle through/in

Sounds of Delightful Places

Water The wind Silence People talking, and Birds

Also… deer, butterflies, dogs, ferryboats, fish splashing, frogs, and whales

Activities Associated with

Delightful Places

80% of our respondents said RELAXING.

Activities Associated with

Delightful Places

Next came …exercise, nature watching, people watching, eating and drinking, and meeting people. Some specific activities were named such as cycling, camping, canoeing, gardening, hiking, swimming, napping, thinking, and walking.

Smells of Delightful Places

the earth, water, flowers, and food.

the scent of pine trees, chocolate, seaweed, fresh air, eucalyptus trees, freshly cut grass, sweat from other cyclists!

Feelings Associated with

Delightful Places

83% of our respondents said RELAXED.

How do you feel in a Delightful Place?

I feel relaxed – 83% I feel more connected to myself – 65.6% I feel connected to nature – 63% I feel energized – 61.6% I feel safe – 58% I feel at home – 55.7% I feel connected with other people – 50% I feel connected to a spiritual essence – 39%

How to create a Delightful Place?

““Provide more Provide more cycling/walking cycling/walking trails in other natural areas trails in other natural areas close to cities.”close to cities.”

How to create a Delightful Place?

““The ocean is the ocean. You can’t create it!”The ocean is the ocean. You can’t create it!”

How would you describe a Delightful Place?

“A delightful place is an area/place you return to over and over and always leave with a smile and a sense of connecting with something bigger than you.”

How Would you Describe a Delightful Place?

“An ability to return to this place in one’s mind and find an inner peace, even when one is many, many miles away.”

How Would you Describe a Delightful Place?

“A place where I can’t stop smiling.”

“The best part was walking in the hard rain. I walked with a friend and saw some worms and birds”

(5 year old students on IWALK )

We walk to school because…We walk to school because…

““We can stop and say We can stop and say hello to a kitty or a pup hello to a kitty or a pup and sing along with the and sing along with the birds.”birds.”

““I walked with a friend and I walked with a friend and saw some worms and birds.”saw some worms and birds.”

(5 year old students on IWALK )

“Walking and talking with my dad was the best bit. We saw two slugs with no homes, but they still had their aerials, and someone had dropped their apple from their

packed lunch. I wish my dad could walk with me all the time.”

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Sustainable HappinessSustainable Happiness

““Sustainable happinessSustainable happiness is is happiness that contributes to happiness that contributes to individual, community and/or individual, community and/or global well-being and does not global well-being and does not exploit other people, the exploit other people, the environment or future environment or future generations.” (O’Brien)generations.” (O’Brien)

Day-to-Day Sustainable HappinessDay-to-Day Sustainable Happiness

Choices related to what we eat and drinkChoices related to what we eat and drink How we transport ourselvesHow we transport ourselves What we wearWhat we wear How we relate to one anotherHow we relate to one another

Sustainable Happiness!Sustainable Happiness!

Source: From the "Active and Safe Routes to School Manitoba Clean Air Day Poster Design Competition 2009,” Resource Conservation Manitoba

Research on HappinessResearch on Happiness

What can we learn from happy people?What can we learn from happy people?

Can we increase happiness?Can we increase happiness?

Can we teach happiness?Can we teach happiness?

What are the benefits of happiness?What are the benefits of happiness?

Happiness and HealthHappiness and Health

Happiness is a good indicator of health and Happiness is a good indicator of health and longevitylongevity

Positive well-being is related to faster recovery Positive well-being is related to faster recovery from surgeryfrom surgery

Seligman, M. (2002) Authentic happinessSeligman, M. (2002) Authentic happiness


Happy people tend to seek out and act on Happy people tend to seek out and act on health informationhealth information

Positive mood has been shown to lower blood Positive mood has been shown to lower blood pressurepressure

Ed Diener and Martin Seligman, “Beyond Money”Ed Diener and Martin Seligman, “Beyond Money”


Happiness has been associated with reduced Happiness has been associated with reduced risk of heart diseaserisk of heart disease

Karina W. Davidson, Elizabeth Mostofsky and William Whang. Don't worry, be happy: Karina W. Davidson, Elizabeth Mostofsky and William Whang. Don't worry, be happy:

positive affect and reduced 10-year incident coronary heart disease: positive affect and reduced 10-year incident coronary heart disease:

The Canadian Nova Scotia Health Survey. European Heart Journal, Feb 17, 2010The Canadian Nova Scotia Health Survey. European Heart Journal, Feb 17, 2010

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Happiness and EnvironmentHappiness and Environment

Happy people tend to be less materialistic

More empathetic

T. Kasser (2004) Materialism and its alternatives, in A Life Worth Living: Contributions to Positive Psychology

Happiness and EnvironmentHappiness and Environment

More likely to engage in ecologically beneficial behaviour (cycling, recycling)

Nature-relatedness linked to positive emotions and happiness

T. Kasser (2004) Materialism and its alternatives, in A Life Worth Living: Contributions to Positive Psychology

Nisbet, Zelenski, and Murphy. The Nature Relatedness Scale: Linking Individuals’ Connection with Nature, Environmental Concern, and Well-being

Happiness and CommutingHappiness and Commuting

Cyclists are more likely to enjoy commuting than commuters who use motorized transportation

Workers who walked to work were also more likely to enjoy commuting

Turcotte, M. (2006) Like commuting? Workers’ perceptions of their daily commute, Canadian Social Trends, Statistics Canada


“This finding that happiness adds to health opens new ways for health promotion, preventive public health care in particular. It implies that we can make people healthier by making them happier.”

Veenhoven, R. (2006) Healthy happiness: Effects of happiness Veenhoven, R. (2006) Healthy happiness: Effects of happiness on physical health and the consequences for preventive health care, on physical health and the consequences for preventive health care, of Happiness Studiesof Happiness Studies, 15-11,p.6., 15-11,p.6.

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We can make people healthier by We can make people healthier by making them happier.making them happier.

What kind of happiness could do this?What kind of happiness could do this?

Shop ‘til you drop?Shop ‘til you drop?

Designer fashions for our kids?Designer fashions for our kids?

Nature-Deficit Disorder?Nature-Deficit Disorder?

Social ComparisonSocial Comparison

Supersize MeSupersize Me

HAPPINESS.HAPPINESS. STARTING AT $47,000.*STARTING AT $47,000.*

* Happiness guaranteed for day of purchase only* Happiness guaranteed for day of purchase only

Authentic HappinessAuthentic Happiness

Relationships with family and friendsRelationships with family and friends

““Being” in the momentBeing” in the moment

Feeling engaged with our work, or other Feeling engaged with our work, or other commitments (family, volunteer, etc)commitments (family, volunteer, etc)

Leading a meaningful lifeLeading a meaningful life

Research on HappinessResearch on Happiness

Can Money Buy Happiness?Can Money Buy Happiness?

Material wealth beyond a basic income level doesn’t Material wealth beyond a basic income level doesn’t contribute significantly to well-being and life contribute significantly to well-being and life satisfaction.satisfaction.

Ed Diener and Martin Seligman, “Beyond Money: Toward an Economy of Well-Ed Diener and Martin Seligman, “Beyond Money: Toward an Economy of Well-

Being”, Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2004.Being”, Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2004.

Happiness Happiness ≠≠ Over-Consumption Over-Consumption


““Sustainable happinessSustainable happiness is is happiness that contributes to happiness that contributes to individual, community and/or individual, community and/or global well-being and does not global well-being and does not exploit other people, the exploit other people, the environment or future environment or future generations.” (O’Brien)generations.” (O’Brien)

Sustainable Happiness Survey

Activity Before Course

Carpooling 5

Water Conservation 8

Expressing Appreciation

7

Composting 12

Fair Trade Products 7

Walking for short trips 12

Physical Exercise 12

Public Transit 2

Local Products 8

Where Products are Made

6

Reducing Consumption 8

Sustainable Happiness Survey

Activity Before Course One Year Later

Carpooling 5 9

Water Conservation 8 12

Expressing Appreciation

7 16

Composting 12 13

Fair Trade Products 7 10

Walking for short trips 12 13

Physical Exercise 12 14

Public Transit 2 4

Local Products 8 14

Where Products are Made

6 13

Reducing Consumption 8 16

Sustainable Happiness and Health EducationSustainable Happiness and Health Education

Developing educational resources for K-6 that link sustainable happiness, with healthy, active lifestyles.

Natural HighsNatural Highs

1. The cold side of the pillow. 1. The cold side of the pillow. 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts. 2. Laughing so hard your face hurts. 3. A hot shower. 3. A hot shower. 4. No lines at the supermarket. 4. No lines at the supermarket. 5. A special glance. 5. A special glance. 6. Getting mail.6. Getting mail.

1.

Natural HighsNatural Highs

7. Hugs. 7. Hugs. 8. The first snow fall. 8. The first snow fall. 9. Playing in the ocean. 9. Playing in the ocean. 10. The smell of lilacs. 10. The smell of lilacs. 11. Hearing my favourite song.11. Hearing my favourite song.12. An unexpected text message.12. An unexpected text message.

1.


Walking, cycling, active commutingWalking, cycling, active commuting

Children’s Mobility, Health & Happiness: A Children’s Mobility, Health & Happiness: A Canadian School Travel Planning ModelCanadian School Travel Planning Modelhttp://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/schooltravel.asp

School Travel Planning in every province and territorySchool Travel Planning in every province and territory

Influencing municipal and school board/district policy and Influencing municipal and school board/district policy and practicepractice

Integrating Integrating Child and Youth Friendly Land Use and Child and Youth Friendly Land Use and Transport Planning GuidelinesTransport Planning Guidelines

Sustainable happiness and healthSustainable happiness and health

Traditional Planning

“Communities are traditionally built with one transportation mode and user in mind – the adult automobile driver.”

McDonald, N. C. (2008). Children's mode choice for the school trip: the role of distance and school location in walking to school. Transportation, 35, 23-35.

Shifting Assumptions

“If we can build a successful city for children we will have a successful city for all people.”

Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá

Children and Youth are particularly susceptible

Air quality; airways smaller, lung function growth,

risk of childhood leukemia, in-vehicle exposure

Traffic injuries and fatalities

Physical activity through everyday transport

Independent mobility and

play patterns

Literature Reviewwww.kidsonthemove.ca

US study found that children who actively commute to school are more physically active outside of school.

Heelan, et al (2005). Active commuting to and from school and BMI in elementary school children, Child Care Health and Development, 31(3).

Literature Review

A CDC study found that the Safe Routes to School projects in the US have improved the walking and cycling environment for adults as well as children. “Investment in SRTS can contribute to increased physical activity among children and adults.”

Watson, et al (2008). Investment in safe routes to school projects: Public health

benefits for the larger community. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Guidelineswww.kidsonthemove.ca

• Raising the profile of children and youth (1-3)• Providing for children and youth as pedestrians (4-7)• Providing for children and youth as cyclists (8-11)• Providing for children and youth as transit users (12-

14) • Providing for journeys to and from school (15-16)• Reducing transport’s adverse impacts (17-19)

Guidelines 1& 2

Guideline 1 In transport and land-use planning, the needs of children

and youth should receive as much priority as the needs of people of other ages and the requirements of business.

Guideline 2 Within each municipality designate a staff member (and

perhaps also a council member) as responsible for bringing the perspectives of young people to consideration of transport and land-use planning issues.

Guideline 3

Establish or adapt one or more forums for children and youth to ensure that their perspectives are considered by land-use and transport planners.

Guidelines 4 & 5

Guideline 4Identify where children and youth want to go or need to go and, to the extent possible, provide ways of getting there by foot.

Guideline 5Assess pedestrian routes used or to be used by children and youth to ensure that they are as safe and suitable for them as possible.

Guideline 7

Guideline 7Ensure that sidewalks are always cleared of ice and snow.

Guideline 8

Guideline 8

For older children and youth, ensure that destinations that cannot be a walk away are no more than a bicycle ride away.

Guideline 11

Guideline 11

At destinations, provide secure, convenient bicycle parking.

Guideline 15

Guideline 15

Help ensure that school policies and practices favour walking, cycling and other forms of active transport for trips to and from school, and also regular public transport where this is appropriate and possible.

Guideline 18

Guideline 18

Post and enforce much lower speed limits, particularly in urban areas.

Canadian Guidelines

Guidelines for every province

Guidelines for rural areas

www.kidsonthemove.ca

Ontario Professional Planners Institute

Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI) has officially endorsed the Guidelines.

Sustainable Happiness!Sustainable Happiness!

Source: From the "Active and Safe Routes to School Manitoba Clean Air Day Poster Design Competition 2009,” Resource Conservation Manitoba

Healthy ChildrenHealthy ChildrenHealthy SpacesHealthy SpacesHappy ChildrenHappy ChildrenHealthy ChildrenHealthy Children

Healthy CommunitiesHealthy CommunitiesGlobal Well-BeingGlobal Well-Being

Thank you!Thank you!

[email protected]

www.sustainablehappiness.cawww.sustainablehappiness.ca

Catherine O'Brien - Children's Mobility & Sustainable Happiness

Education

Transcript of Catherine O'Brien - Children's Mobility & Sustainable Happiness