Intervalos criativos para dias felizes : contributo para o estudo da relação criatividade/felicidade

The chief purpose of this study is to explore the interrelationship between creativity and happiness, striving to learn from this interconnection how to contribute to higher fulfillment and gratification in life. Additionally, we try to understand how to become happier, and how to nurture and enhance that experience, building on the assumption that it is possible to become more creative when potential is fostered. Furthermore, we try to comprehend the creativity organics and to identify the core ingredients of what is meant by full and lasting well-being. Finally, we pinpoint the personality traits associated with creative expression with direct or indirect bearing on happiness. Nowadays, and taking the perspective provided by Positive Psychology, empirical evidence sustains that any individual can, deliberately and with success, enhance his happiness level (Lyubomirsky, Sheldon & Schkade, 2005; Sheldon & Lyubomirsky, 2007). Three major factors govern the happiness level: first, so-called intentional activities and practices, accounting for 40%; second, genetically determined setpoint for happiness, accounting for 50%, and, finally, circumstantial factors, accounting for 10%. The best opportunities lie with the first group –intentional activities (Layous & Lyubomirsky, 2014; Lyubomirsky & Layous, 2013). Although scientific research on creativity is still comparatively new, there are already some studies indicating that creative people tend to be happier and more successful than less creative peers (Kaufman, 2014). Conversely, happier people tend to be more creative (Richards, 2007). Thus, we provide a pedagogic proposal, Creative Breaks for Happy Days, combining both specific and strategical activities to stimulate creative thinking and happiness boosting activities. This proposal focuses on the fraction of happiness level (40%) that the Science of Happiness ascribes to individual intentional activities towards choosing happiness. Attaining happiness demands work, effort and commitment, but may well be within everyone’s reac