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Give your ultimate happiness tip!
Body Worlds has become a household name. There is now a permanent exhibition on the Damrak in Amsterdam. More than 200 anatomical specimens of real people show the complexity, resilience and fragility of the body. And all this around the theme of happiness. Would you like to pay a visit? Then quickly enter the contest.
The DNA of happiness consists of 50 percent hereditary factors, 40 percent of own actions and 10 percent of living conditions. The exhibition opens with that message BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project. Your happiness is therefore largely in your own hands. And that’s good news because people who are happy live several years longer than people who are unhappy.
Luck
According to doctor, scientist and anatomist Gunther von Hagens, happiness is an elusive phenomenon. “Important medical studies show a direct link between happiness, health and well-being.” Many people see happiness as a state of mind, a state you are in or not. The exhibition tries to nuance this view. “Everyone has a starting point for happiness determined by your genes. This is where you return every time. But you can improve your happiness level.”
The exhibition provides starting points for improving the level of happiness. The anatomy is of course the starting point, but other matters are also discussed. People also have basic psychological needs such as autonomy, competence and kinship.
Inspiration
Along the way you will encounter all kinds of inspiring facts. This is how happiness is contagious: contact with a happy person increases your chance of being happy by 15 percent. Smile is also a good means of happiness. On the other hand, some issues are being discussed. Do you really get happier when you have a lot to choose from? What is the effect of sexual pleasure and addiction? And what about getting married and having children; is that the key to happiness?
Anatomy
Yet the anatomy of the body continues to predominate. And that is still the charm of BODY WORLDS. The exhibition shows human bodies treated following Von Hagens’ plastination method. On the basis of small specimens, such as the heart or a joint, and specimens of the whole body, you gain insight into the human body. There is something magical about the exhibition. You can see the blood vessels, fiery red, almost art. And you see bodies in all kinds of keys. For example, playing basketball, swinging and making love.
Understandable text and explanations ensure that you learn a lot about the body. And especially the effect of stress and happiness on your body. The importance of movement is emphasized. You can see how osteoporosis, arthrosis and arteriosclerosis become visible in the body. Attention is paid to smokers’ lungs, diabetes and obesity. A body diameter of a 150 kilogram man with at least 5 centimeters of subcutaneous fat does make you think. With a finger pointing here and there, the importance of a healthy lifestyle is made very visible. And that can be a bit confronting.
The idea of dead people on display may be a bit sinister at first. But what you see is fascinating and very educational. According to the makers, many people see their bodies as something for granted and they try to take that image away. And many of the millions of visitors who have visited the exhibition worldwide since 1995 are indeed starting to look at their bodies and health differently.
Got excited? Then take part in the contest and maybe you’ll win two tickets. We can raffle two cards ten times. This promotion runs until December 15, 2014.
BODY WORLDS: The Happiness Project is located in the heart of Amsterdam (Damrak 66) and open from Monday to Sunday from 9am to 7pm. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday the exhibition is even open until 9 pm. More information and ticket sales can be found on the website.
This contest has expired. Unfortunately you can no longer participate. Prize winners will receive a personal message.