Science Explains 7 Things That Are Proven To Make You Happy

Written by Shivani K  • 

When you wake up and read news about the world or just scan your surroundings, you begin to think that the world is filled with so much doom and gloom. Many spend their entire life on a quest to find happiness. Nonetheless, we all know that not every day can be a happy day. There’s always a contrast. But is being happy far from our reach?

Everyone isn’t born happy. Happiness is a state of mind and you’ll be amused to know that it is attainable. Happiness isn’t just a blessing that the lucky few are entitled to, scientists say that it is something that can be achieved too! Here is a list of 7 scientifically proven ways that can help boost your happiness instantly.

1. Learn To Smile For Yourself

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We are not talking about wicked smiles. Push yourself to smile frequently, because research says that it can add years to your life (1). And smiling doesn’t just affect your mental health positively, it is beneficial for your physical wellbeing too. It lowers your heart rate during stressful activities (2). So, the next time your head feels tormented, just calm down and smile. It will uplift your mood in a jiffy.

2. Make It A Habit To Get Some Quality Sleep Every Day

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Who isn’t aware of the importance of sleep? Everyone is! Yet, thanks to our busy lives, we stubbornly compromise on our sleep every day. To some, sleep is nothing less than a luxury that they need to earn amidst their hectic work life. Have you ever thought about the negativity that fills within us due to lack of sleep? Ergo, sleep well. It will make you happier and you will be able to complete your tasks at work and home on time. Value your sleep! A debt of money can still be fixed, but if you are banking on a debt of sleep—you’re losing out on happiness in life (3).

3. Consider Buying Experiences

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How about spending your time and money on buying life experiences instead of materialistic objects? Save up your money. And instead of indulging in a shopping spree, opt for a getaway. The less palpable experiences often end up giving us more happiness than the average materialistic pursuits in life. The joy of being in a new place among new people elevates our happiness levels. And when we return to our home, our mind reinterprets these experiences in a holistic manner, leaving us in a positive state of mind (4).

4. Meet People, Stay Happy, And Spread Happiness

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We might go berserk trying to find happiness, but we are aware of one fact — happiness is contagious! If you are a socially active person, you must have observed how one person’s happy mood influences the other’s mood instantly. Research says that our happy state of mind can influence not only our friends but also our friends’ friends (5). How cool is that? Happiness can go viral and can make even unknown people happy!

5. Get Yourself A Pet

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Go ask a pet owner what difference it makes to have a pet in their life. Pets provide an emotional support to us. They are always happy to see us, and their happiness boosts our mood. Pet owners are known to be happier, healthier, less depressed, and more social in life (6). We don’t need any fancy therapy to ease our life if we have a pet at home. Our lives are much more disciplined with them around. Happiness becomes effortless with pets around. So, go and get yourself a pet!

6. Practice Mindful Living

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It’s all about living consciously. The hindrance we face in our everyday lives is that we either have no knowledge about what we are doing or we don’t pay attention to it. Remember that daydreaming is a downer. It transports us into a negative trance that upsets our mood. A wandering mind may not be a devil’s workshop, but it is equally dangerous.

Being mindful of your emotions requires practice; hence, try mindful meditation by closing your eyes and paying heed to all the emotions within you (7). Label them with their causes. You might come to the realization that most of your thoughts are irrational. Learn to live a mindful life; it will slowly but eventually lead you to a happy life.

7. Move Closer To Work

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You might have a well-paid job and own a gorgeous villa of your own. But if your work requires you to travel through traffic that seems never-ending, your luxuries are not absolute, my friend. Traveling in traffic causes a series of health problems that can leave you frustrated (8). Maybe try finding a relatively smaller home, but one that is a stone’s throw away from work? The lesser your commute time is, the more time you have for your family and yourself.

After all, what matters is to be happy in whatever we do. By inculcating simple daily habits like those mentioned above, and changing certain deteriorating aspects of our lives, we surely can take charge of our happiness. If you have any other ways of being happy, please do comment below!

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