(no subject)

[deckardcanine]

Ages ago in a psychology class, I learned the term "microstressors" (sometimes hyphenated or as two words) for various minor annoyances that can build up to rage or other significant negative emotions. Only today did it occur to me that I know no word for the opposite. "Microrelievers"? That's a start, but what about little things that don't just relieve you but also make you happier, however slightly? Is there even a single verb in English for making someone happy? Ah, OK, Merriam-Webster recognizes "happify," but I don't want to resort to "microhappifiers." Then again, the very name kind of qualifies as one in itself.

You may think this is merely pedantic, but I suspect that psychology could go further by dwelling more on the positive. Lots of people have made informal lists of things that bring joy to their lives; why not get scientific about it? If I learn of a jargony label that's caught on, I'll know that somebody's on the right track.

This struck me today because I realized that I've been smiling more often lately. I could not put my finger on any one bit of good news leading to that smiliness, so I can only assume... oh, all right: microhappifiers. Y'all happy with this term?

Comments

[nefaria.livejournal.com]

Sounds like something that psychologists should definitely be looking into. "microhappifiers" sounds awkward, but I guess it's as good a name for it as any other.

[thatcatgirl.livejournal.com]

Micropleasers?

Microhappifiers is kinda funny, though.

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

Your suggestion is more likely to catch on. :)

[deckardcanine.livejournal.com]

On second thought, "micropleasures" probably works even better.

[thatcatgirl.livejournal.com]

ah, good point.

[akktri.livejournal.com]

How about "Swapportunity"?
Oh, wait. That's that damn yogurt commercial.