Scientifically Proven Things That Will Make You Happier
Get in touch with your inner animal
Different things make men and women happy. Think of a keg for men and a manicure for women.
Evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa says realizing this difference is one of the keys to happiness. "One of the best ways to improve happiness is to recognize and accept that we are animals," she writes. "We are all designed by evolution to be a certain way, and no amount of denial or fighting will change our evolutionary legacy and its implications. One of the ways that men and women are different is in what makes them happy."
Evolutionary psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa says realizing this difference is one of the keys to happiness. "One of the best ways to improve happiness is to recognize and accept that we are animals," she writes. "We are all designed by evolution to be a certain way, and no amount of denial or fighting will change our evolutionary legacy and its implications. One of the ways that men and women are different is in what makes them happy."
A global Nielsen study of 28,153 people from 51 nations found what makes each sex tick: "Men are happier with money, while women find greater joy in friendships and relationships with their children, co-workers and bosses."
Attempt to break a bad habit
A recent study tracked the symptoms of depression in people who were trying to quit smoking. It was found that subjects were happiest whenever they were successful -- even if they were only successful for one day.
Simply trying to quit was enough to boost the subjects' moods.
A recent study tracked the symptoms of depression in people who were trying to quit smoking. It was found that subjects were happiest whenever they were successful -- even if they were only successful for one day.
Simply trying to quit was enough to boost the subjects' moods.
Make up to $75,000 and not one penny more
Money doesn't buy happiness; countless studies have proven that.
Why? Because wealthy people usually make money by doing stressful work; they don't spend much time relaxing and enjoying life.
But a new study found that money can make you happy -- if your salary doesn't exceed $75,000.
Money doesn't buy happiness; countless studies have proven that.
Why? Because wealthy people usually make money by doing stressful work; they don't spend much time relaxing and enjoying life.
But a new study found that money can make you happy -- if your salary doesn't exceed $75,000.
Shorten your commute to 20 minutes
“Commuting to work was way down there [on the happiness chart]—people are in a terrible mood when they commute,”
But a twenty minute commute should improve moods tremendously, another group of researchers found. They observed 4,000 subjects and asked each to rate their happiness level on a scale of one to five. One of the highest measurements of happiness, they determined, was the shortened commute, and people rated their happiness highest when they had a twenty minute maximum travel time.
“Commuting to work was way down there [on the happiness chart]—people are in a terrible mood when they commute,”
But a twenty minute commute should improve moods tremendously, another group of researchers found. They observed 4,000 subjects and asked each to rate their happiness level on a scale of one to five. One of the highest measurements of happiness, they determined, was the shortened commute, and people rated their happiness highest when they had a twenty minute maximum travel time.
Make a gratitude adjustment
People who say thank you are generally happier people. So are those who frequently discuss and write about what they're thankful for. And if you can cherish the small things in life, scientists say you'll be even happier.
Christopher Peterson, a psychologist at the University of Michigan, says the ability to forgive is also at trait strongly linked to positive people.
People who say thank you are generally happier people. So are those who frequently discuss and write about what they're thankful for. And if you can cherish the small things in life, scientists say you'll be even happier.
Christopher Peterson, a psychologist at the University of Michigan, says the ability to forgive is also at trait strongly linked to positive people.
Grow up
A paper in Psychological Science shows that older people are happier than their younger counterparts. Researchers believe this is either because their brains change chemically, or because older people are better at controlling their emotions.
"People may shift how they regulate their emotions over the course of their lifetime, perhaps by shifting to strategies that [enhance happiness]."
A paper in Psychological Science shows that older people are happier than their younger counterparts. Researchers believe this is either because their brains change chemically, or because older people are better at controlling their emotions.
"People may shift how they regulate their emotions over the course of their lifetime, perhaps by shifting to strategies that [enhance happiness]."
Find a mate (and a happy one at that)
It's a known fact that people who find a life partner are happier overall. And the saying, "happy wife, happy life" -- it's really true.
“What we saw over a long period of time is that if one spouse changed in terms of increasing happiness, the other spouse’s happiness would go up,” researcher Christiane Hoppmann tells MSNBC. “And if there was a dip in happiness, this dip would also affect the respective spouse."
It's a known fact that people who find a life partner are happier overall. And the saying, "happy wife, happy life" -- it's really true.
“What we saw over a long period of time is that if one spouse changed in terms of increasing happiness, the other spouse’s happiness would go up,” researcher Christiane Hoppmann tells MSNBC. “And if there was a dip in happiness, this dip would also affect the respective spouse."
Speed up your thinking
thinking quickly can cause feelings of elation. The researchers had subjects watch television in fast forward, quickly come up with solutions to problems, and read ideas that moved quickly on computer screens.
The results showed that participants experienced a feeling of elation, felt more creative and, in some instances, more powerful and energetic,"
thinking quickly can cause feelings of elation. The researchers had subjects watch television in fast forward, quickly come up with solutions to problems, and read ideas that moved quickly on computer screens.
The results showed that participants experienced a feeling of elation, felt more creative and, in some instances, more powerful and energetic,"
Buy plane tickets instead of iPads
When it comes to happiness, experiences trump tangible items.
"It appears that prioritizing success and material goals is actually harmful to life satisfaction,"
Why?
Materials are more comparable. People get upset if they buy something and then realize they could have gotten a better deal, or if they feel their item is trumped by someone else's.
Rachael Rettner of LiveScience explains the reasons to take a trip abroad instead of a trip to the store:
"People are more likely to mull over their material purchases than they are experiential ones, second-guessing themselves about whether they really made the best choice.
"We tend to think of experiences more on their own terms, rather than in comparison with other things.
"It's easier for us to decide on an experiential purchase than a material one.
"We're more upset if we learn that someone else got a better deal, or that a better option exists, for a material purchase than for an experience-related one."
When it comes to happiness, experiences trump tangible items.
"It appears that prioritizing success and material goals is actually harmful to life satisfaction,"
Why?
Materials are more comparable. People get upset if they buy something and then realize they could have gotten a better deal, or if they feel their item is trumped by someone else's.
Rachael Rettner of LiveScience explains the reasons to take a trip abroad instead of a trip to the store:
"People are more likely to mull over their material purchases than they are experiential ones, second-guessing themselves about whether they really made the best choice.
"We tend to think of experiences more on their own terms, rather than in comparison with other things.
"It's easier for us to decide on an experiential purchase than a material one.
"We're more upset if we learn that someone else got a better deal, or that a better option exists, for a material purchase than for an experience-related one."
Have morning sex
It's a well-known fact that a healthy sex life increases happiness, but morning sessions give people an extra boost.
"Having sex in the morning releases the feel-good chemical oxytocin, which makes couples feel loving and bonded all day long,"
"Research suggests that adults who begin their day [with sex] are healthier and happier than those who simply opt for a cup of tea and some toast before heading out of the door,"
It's a well-known fact that a healthy sex life increases happiness, but morning sessions give people an extra boost.
"Having sex in the morning releases the feel-good chemical oxytocin, which makes couples feel loving and bonded all day long,"
"Research suggests that adults who begin their day [with sex] are healthier and happier than those who simply opt for a cup of tea and some toast before heading out of the door,"
Get six hours and twenty minutes of sleep
The magic recipe for happiness is approximately six hours and twenty minutes of sleep every night,
The magic recipe for happiness is approximately six hours and twenty minutes of sleep every night,
Drink four libations per week
people who drink four libations per week reported feeling happier.
people who drink four libations per week reported feeling happier.
Eat four servings of fruits and veggies every day
Researchers found that healthy eaters who ate four servings of fruits and vegetables every day felt the best emotionally
Researchers found that healthy eaters who ate four servings of fruits and vegetables every day felt the best emotionally
Hit the gym and keep thin
"Exercise is no sure-fire happy pill, and some say it has to be intense, or anaerobic (involving short energy bursts that cause the body to run out temporarily of oxygen), to bring on the psychological boost, but experts say it is a part of the feel-good equation."
Exercise effects two primary happiness chemicals - endorphins and cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced when people feel stressed. Exercising burns it away while increasing the release of endorphins, a hormone that is said to cause more euphoric feelings than opiate drugs.
"Exercise is no sure-fire happy pill, and some say it has to be intense, or anaerobic (involving short energy bursts that cause the body to run out temporarily of oxygen), to bring on the psychological boost, but experts say it is a part of the feel-good equation."
Exercise effects two primary happiness chemicals - endorphins and cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone produced when people feel stressed. Exercising burns it away while increasing the release of endorphins, a hormone that is said to cause more euphoric feelings than opiate drugs.
Get religious and meditate
The Quality Of Life Research Study at Harvard University shows people who believe in a higher power and are active in their religious communities are happier.
In addition, the study found that Loving-Kindness Meditation decreases stress, increases confidence, and makes people focused, peaceful and positive.
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