What does the research say? A recent National Geographic article (November
2017) looked internationally and boiled the results to a sense of pleasure,
purpose and pride. When you have those, you tend to be happier. That is
consistent with the necklace quote from Gandhi: “Happiness is when what you
think and what you say and what you do are in harmony.”
First, let’s look at what
the signs of happiness are.
Prevention
magazine in the September 21, 2010 issue identified nine aspects/traits associated
with feeling joyful. The nine are: you were a smiley student, you have a
sister, you’re not glued to the TV, you keep souvenirs on display, you make
exercise a priority, you have a healthy love life, you hang with happy people,
you stay warm with hot cocoa (or tea or coffee), and you have two best friends.
Hmm. Eight out of nine
ain’t bad! I guess what people say about me is true. I manifest signs of being
a happy person. And I view myself as a happy person. I’m not too introspective
about the why of it. I admit to mostly taking my positivity for granted. And I
shouldn’t, I know. So many people are not happy that I need to be more grateful
for the situation I’m in that leads me to this happiness state.
I used to drive my father
crazy. He was the exact opposite of me in temperament. He never saw the glass
as half full OR half empty. He was more likely to say, “What glass? There’s no
glass.” Yes, we did argue. A lot. Still my inner happiness shown through despite
setbacks and circumstances.
Scientists in the field of
positivity include Sonja Lyubormirsky, Ed Diener, Robert Biswas-Diener,
Stephehn Post. They have found that your actions have a significant effect on
your states of satisfaction and happiness. An article in Yes! Magazine summarized their findings.
Here are those ten things that science says make us happy:
1)
Savor everyday
moments.
2)
Avoid
comparisons.
3)
Put money low
on the list.
4)
Have meaningful
goals. (strive for significance)
5)
Take initiative
at work. (express creativity, help others)
6)
Make friends,
treasure family.
7)
Smile—even when
you don’t feel like it. (fake it ‘til you make it)
8)
Say thank you
like you mean it.
9)
Get out and
exercise.
10) Give it away. (money, time, goods and
services)
There is not one thing on
that list that we cannot do on a regular basis. If these are the components of happiness,
then simply set about to change your habits in areas where you fall short. You
can be in control of your happiness level says scientific research.
In another happiness study reported
by Dr. Axe, “What Makes Us Happy and Healthy?”,
the Harvard Happiness Study found that “good relationships keep us happier and healthier,
period.” Simply put: social connections matter, the quality of relationships is
more important than the quantity, and good relationships protect our brains.
In Albert Ellis’
study of happiness he debunked the
idea that happiness stems from external circumstances like losing weight or
having more money. He found that happiness was highly correlated with sleep
quality and depression proneness.
And the old saw
that money can’t buy happiness? A study by a couple of
economists called that into question. In fact, international findings were that
those with the most income in countries reported the highest levels of
satisfaction. Doubling income doubled satisfaction whether it was from $1000 to
$2000 or from $10,000 to $20,000. Their study could be used to make a case for
income redistribution!
Nevertheless,
making more money isn’t feasible for all of us. But, other findings from
research scientists tell us we can
become happier. Implement their findings. Just do it!
One of my favorite gifts to
give those struggling with life is Dr. Barbara Frederickson’s book, Positivity. She explains her research
into how to change your brain—literally restructure the brain--so you can become
more positive about life with her discovered 3-1 ratio of actions.
Do you know the Pharrell
Williams song, “Happy”? That’s kind of me. I do know what makes me and keeps me happy. Do
you know your happiness triggers? Share them below in the comments.
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others in your social media circles. Thank you!
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