Simple Ways To Be Happier, Backed By Science

Happiness is something which money can’t buy. Sometimes we become happier with small things. It is quite important to stay happy in life to be mentally and physically fit. Happy mood affects both mental state and physical state. While some people find their happiness in small things, there are some simple and easy ways to keep happy which are backed by science: 

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1. Sleep More 

Sleeping makes us forget all our sorrows for a while and also helps improving our mood. It is necessary to have proper and sound sleep. Another study explored by BPS Research Digest proves that sleeping affects our mind to be less sensitive towards negative emotions. A study was conducted on a group of people and their behaviors were observed. It was observed that those who worked through the entire day without taking any nap or rest were more sensitive by the end of the day towards the negative emotions like anger and fear. 

2. Be with your family and friends 

One of the top 5 regrets of dying is staying in touch with family and friends. Spending time with friends and family makes a huge difference to how happy we feel. You can try it out by staying with your family and then noticing your mood. Daniel Gilbert, Harvard Happiness expert, explains that “We are happy when we have family, we are happy when we have friends and almost all the other things we think make us happy are actually just ways of getting more family and friends.” Great sibling relationships work more powerfully. 

3. Go Out 

It is recommended to go out and spend your time in fresh air to be happy. According to a study spending at least 20 minutes out every day in a great weather not only boosts up your brain but also broadens your thinking and working capacity. It was also found that our happiness is maximized at 13.9 degree C. So keep a check on the weather outside before you go out for your fresh air. 

4. Help Others 

It is said that 100 hours per year or 2 hours per week should be devoted in helping others. This is another way of feeling happy. When we help somebody coming out of a trouble, we naturally feel happy and satisfied. We should learn to serve others for the sake of our own happiness. Studies proved that the happiness we get from spending money on social causes is far more than the happiness that we get from purchasing new shoes, clothes, etc. 

5. Smile 

As per a study, those who smile a lot as a result of some positive thoughts like tropical vacation or child’s recital improve their thoughts and are calm and composed. Smile is considered as the best medicine. It not only makes you more beautiful but also adds on to your health and personality. It is also a great technique to reduce the distress. 

6. Practice Gratitude 

This is a simple technique but most effective one. There are several ways to practice gratitude such as keeping a journal of things you’re grateful for, sharing three good things that happen each day with a friend or your partner, and going out of your way to show gratitude when others help you. In a study conducted on 219 men ad women it was found that mere writing “GRATITUDE” on a paper increased their satisfaction and they felt happier. 

Smile is an asset which adds on to your personality and is good for your health. As we age, we naturally tend to be happier. Therefore, keep smiling and make others smile. It costs nothing. 
[Source:themindunleashed.org]