How To Be Happier? Here are 12 Science-Approved Methods.
We all seek to be happier.
But rest assured, it's not that complicated!
To feel good, sometimes it only takes a few things ...
In any case, this is the conclusion of 12 scientific studies on the subject.
These studies reveal 12 simple ways to feel better every day.
You will see that simple small changes can make a real difference in everyday life.
Whether it's writing down the positive things that happened during the day on a piece of paper or just putting a smile on your face, here are 12 things you can do to be happier:
1. Spend more on others
Instead of buying yourself more and more material things, why not try to please other people than yourself?
Why ? Because spending money to please others will make you much happier. This is a study published in Psychological Bulletin who affirms it.
The study has indeed shown that the happiest people are those who are generous, even if they don't make a lot of money.
Bottom line, if you want to be happier, try donating to charities or people in need, rather than buying yourself the latest iPhone.
Example : this morning, when I buy myself a croissant on the way to the office, I also buy a bag of pastries to share with my colleagues.
2. List three positive things about your day
Yep, you just need to take a pen and a sheet of paper to make it work.
Martin Seligman, professor at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, and several other studies have looked at people who have a habit of listing the 3 best things that happened to them during the day.
They concluded that the people who make this little list every day are much happier than the rest.
And don't worry, these positive things don't have to be amazing things!
It can be very simple things in everyday life.
Example : a smile from someone you love or the fact that your partner has thought about buying your favorite dessert from the bakery.
3. Try something new
People who have a taste for adventure, who try new experiences and who know how to break the monotony of everyday life are generally happier.
It was a study by the University of San Francisco that made these conclusions.
What are the reasons ? Testing new things keeps your motor skills sharp and stimulates brain activity.
Example : I spend every Sunday taking care of the laundry for the whole family. This weekend, I don't! I'm off for a bike ride in the countryside.
4. Think about nice things to come
Thinking about nice things that are going to happen in the near future is a great way to feel happy.
Why ? Because anticipating a happy moment allows you to experience this moment in your head and therefore to feel happiness in the present moment.
Several studies have shown that we instinctively postpone our celebrations.
Indeed, anticipating a pleasant event is also part of the fun.
Example : I reserve a table in my favorite restaurant for in 2 weeks. So I will think about it for several days in advance and start savoring the moment well before D-Day.
5. Exposing yourself to the color blue
Researchers at the University of Sussex in the United States have shown that exposure to the color blue skyrockets self-confidence, reduces stress levels and increases the feeling of happiness.
This same study also found that when a person looks at something blue, their brain activity related to happiness is more intense.
And according to the daily The Daily Mail, our attraction to blue is a heritage from our ancestors.
Indeed, these “associated the color with that of the sky, which symbolizes a well-accomplished day and presages a good night's sleep. "
Example : I get myself some blue items like a bedspread, curtains or crockery. I repaint a room in the house in blue.
6. Set goals
According to psychologist Jonathan Freedman, people who set goals, whether short-term or long-term, are happier than those who do not set any goals.
Similarly, Richard Davidson, a neurologist at the University of Wisconsin, found that setting goals can not only increase feelings of well-being but also suppress negative emotions.
Example : I go back to sport once a week and I sign up for a language course.
7. Stop defending your point of view at all costs
The best way to stay happy is to stay neutral, according to Dr. Chopra, author of the best-selling book titled The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success - Ask for Happiness and You Will Receive It.
According to Dr. Chopra: “You can save 99% of your mental energy - and therefore live happier - if you stop defending your point of view tooth and nail. "
Example : my grandmother cannot imagine that global warming is due to human activity and that we must all make efforts for the planet. I don't waste my energy trying - unsuccessfully - to convince her at the next family reunion.
8. Get at least six hours of sleep per night
Getting six hours and 15 minutes of uninterrupted sleep makes us happier. This is the conclusion of a study commissioned by the British company Yeo Valley.
As part of the study, researchers asked adults between the ages of 18 and 65 to rate their level of happiness, on a scale of 1 to 5.
They discovered that the happiest people are those who sleep around 6 hours and 15 minutes per night.
Example : I force myself to turn off my smartphone and go to bed, with a book and herbal tea.
9. Reduce your commute to work
Also according to the British Sleep Study, researchers found that the happiest people live less than 20 minutes from their workplace.
In fact, the travel time to get to work is directly linked to our general state of health, both physical and mental.
Example : instead of always leaving during rush hour, I try to postpone my departure before or after to get to work more quickly.
10. Make sure you have at least 10 good friends
People who say they have 10 friends they can count on are happier than those who have less than 5.
It is a study from the University of Nottingham which revealed this phenomenon.
These results seem to confirm the old adage which goes: “the more the merrier, the more we laugh”.
Indeed, the study found that the more close friends you have, the happier you are.
The study researchers concluded that it is essential tomaintain friendships if we wish increase our personal happiness.
Example : I regularly check in with my friends, and try to devote some of my free time to them on a regular basis.
11. Pretend until it works
This technique may seem a bit difficult ... but it really works!
Acting like you were happy when you were a little sad can actually make you feel better.
As proof, several studies indicate that the simple act of smiling can make you feel better. So when do you start?
Example : I feel a little sad tonight. Instead of starting to complain, I force myself to smile in front of the mirror and call a friend to tell them about the positive things of the day (see point # 2).
12. Trying to find love
Romantic relationships are a determining element of our happiness.
It has been shown that people in a relationship are generally happier than others.
Being married increases our well-being, regardless of the quality of the marriage, according to a Cornell University study.
Researchers have also found that the happiest people are the most bonded people in their relationship.
Example : instead of spending my evening in front of the TV, I go have a drink in a bar and I take my courage in both hands to talk to people and thus meet people.
Do you like this trick ? Share it with your friends on Facebook.
Also to discover:
The 15 Things You Need To Stop Doing To Be Happy.
8 Things Happy People Do Differently.
