6 Proven Things to Be Happy
Many people spend their whole life looking for things that will make them happier only to find that they’re sadder than before. Several studies have been carried out to determine what makes people really happy and researchers sum it up into 6. Here they are:
1. Own a Pet
Pets may not be as intelligent as humans but they have a very big heart full of love and affection for their masters. In a survey of pet-owners and non pet-owners, experts found a significant increase in self-esteem and feelings of belongings and meaning on those who own a pet. The report was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. It was also found that pets have the same ability with human friends in eliminating feelings of rejection.
2. Be Creative
A life without creativity is like spaghetti without sauce, coffee without sugar, or toast without butter. In a 2011 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology, it was found that men who engage in creative activities like arts and ballet are healthier and happier. Community works, physical activities, and outdoor hobbies were also linked to happiness. In the case of women, researchers found that the cheeriest women are those who attended church and sports events.
3. Be Jolly
Energetic, sociable, and jolly individuals are those that are most likely to be happy. In a research published in the 2011 issue of the journal Personality, it was found that extrovert individuals are happier because they have the ability to savour the memories of the past and get inspiration from them to pursue chasing for happiness.
4. Be Grateful
Being thankful of what you have is one great way to find happiness and sense of self-worth. In a 2010 review of 51 studies about happiness, it was found that people who used to write three good things that happened to them every week increases their level of happiness. The same is true with people who wrote letters of gratitude to the people they considered important to their lives. It was surprising that just the mere act of writing accounts for elevated happiness. Participants in the study didn’t even have to send their mails. Just imagine how much happier would the senders and the recipients be had the letters were sent to their mailboxes.
5. Give Back to Others
Sharing your blessings will give you more sense of fulfilment and happiness, reported a 2010 study published in the journal Science. The researchers found that giving money away rather than spending it on for their own give people increased happiness. Unselfishness is also linked to happier marriage and stronger relationship.
6. Maintain an intimate relationship
Satisfaction from sexual relationship has been linked to happiness. In a 2008 report published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, it was found that post menopausal women who had satisfying sex life were generally happier than others. Furthermore, people with neurotic personalities found a reduction in their anxiety when they have better sex life, reported a study in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science. Aside from the sexual act, hugging and physical affection is also linked to improved happiness in men.