We All Want It – Here’s How To Be Happy
Lots of studies have been carried out on what makes people happy – and the results might surprise you!
Interestingly, our baseline level of happiness is determined partly by genetics – but only partly. You can’t do much to change your genes, but you can certainly change yourself to become a happier person.
Here are 6 ways you can be happy:
How to Be Happy Step 1: Cultivate strong social relationships
This is the single biggest factor in happiness. It doesn’t matter whether you have a few close friends or strong ties to a large community. According to “The Happiness Advantage”, the happiest 10 percent of people have the strongest relationships (by a mile). You’ll be happier if you have good social support. So treasure your relationships, and work on them.
How to Be Happy Step 2: Be with happy people
You can’t always choose who you work with, for example, but you can and should control who you spend your leisure time with (and your lunch break). People around you impact your mood (and you impact theirs), so make it a positive experience for everyone. Happiness is catching!
How to Be Happy Step 3: Care for others
If you help others – other people, animals, the planet, cleaning up an area – you will be happier. In the same way as you feel good after exercise, so you feel good when you help or volunteer. (And it’s very green and eco friendly to help others and the planet).
Related: The other benefits of volunteering
How to Be Happy Step 4: Work at being happy
It sounds daft, but actually putting some effort into happiness, makes you happy! There are many things you can do. Listen to cheerful music, keep a gratitude journal, read, watch or listen to something funny, laugh at yourself…. whatever it takes. You’ll feel happier.
How to Be Happy Step 5: Be outside
Spend at least 20 minutes each day outside. Studies show you’ll not only maintain a better mood, but your mind will be more open and you’ll improve your working memory too. Sunshine and fresh air feel good (they’re free green medication!) – but even a bad weather day will bring you benefits.
While you’re outside, combine the experience with some exercise. It’s difficult to be happy if you’re unwell or have no energy. So eat healthily, exercise regularly and spend time outdoors – you’ll be healthier so you’ll almost automatically feel happier.
How to Be Happy Step 6: Buy experiences, not things
Suppose you had some money and wanted to spend it on a fancy new TV or smartphone, or a holiday. Which do you think would “buy” you greater happiness? You’d probably use the material item every day, but once your vacation is over, you’d only have memories and photos. So it seems logical that the material item would bring you more happiness. But in fact, studies have shown that experiences are better. Which is good news for the planet, because experiences are much greener than material items. It seems that we get in initial burst of happiness from our new item, but after that we quickly adapt to it and it’s no longer as enjoyable. So, if you want to “buy happiness”, spend on items such as travel, outdoor activities, concerts, classes or movies.
How To Be Happy Bonus Tip:
If you want to amp up your happiness from an experience, share it. Participating with others makes it more intense, new studies show. If it was a pleasurable experience, the enjoyment will be intensified by sharing it.
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Clare, these six things, once they’re pointed out, make perfect sense. I am amazed by the increase in depression in recent years and believe it is a direct result of not having the social life that past generations did. Now we work, come home to sit in front of the big screen TV and play with our smart phones and computers. Social media is not a replacement for actual interactions with people and it shows.
Lois I’m sure you’re right – it’s bound to have a major impact when we don’t socialize as much as previous generations did. Even though we ‘connect’ with others electronically, it’s just not as rewarding as interacting face-to-face. It must have a massive impact, without us really realizing. I hate going to a restaurant and seeing families and couples sitting there on their phones or tablets, and not talking to each other. It just can’t be quality time. Thanks!