Research on happiness is complex. Some scientists study biological markers of happiness like oxytocin levels, while others look at the overall satisfaction people feel with their lives.
Still other researchers consider happiness to be a combination of various emotions and aspects of well-being. Some suggest that it involves all of the positive feelings ranging from contentment to intense joy.
1. Make a list of the things that make you happy.
Many psychologists have studied the factors that make people happy. Things like waking up to sunshine, listening to music from the happiest time in your life, and eating chocolate are all known to lift spirits. Other things that can boost happiness include helping out others, focusing on the present moment, exercising, getting enough sleep, and practicing gratitude.
Taking on challenging tasks that stretch your skills can also lead to happiness. Although these efforts can increase stress in the short term, they can make you feel happier and more satisfied with your life in the long run.
The charity Action for Happiness suggests prioritizing a few activities that make you happy, including giving, relating, exercising, trying something new, awareness, direction, emotions, and meaning. This will help you feel more resilient when life gets rough.
2. Do something that makes you happy.
Whether it’s taking a walk outside, listening to music, or simply cleaning your room. These are all great ways to boost your mood and bring happiness into your day.
It is also important to spend time with people who make you happy. Research has shown that people who spend time with others feel happier and more satisfied in life.
It is also a good idea to try new things that might make you happy. Experimenting with different hobbies will help you discover what you like and what doesn’t. Trying new activities might even spark a passion that you didn’t know you had! Lastly, studies have shown that people who volunteer feel happier than those who don’t. This is probably because helping others makes you feel good about yourself.
3. Do something that makes you feel good.
Some days feel amazing-you wake up in a good mood, your hair looks great and the sun is shining. Other days you stub your toe, drink too much coffee and feel like you are in a rut.
But there are things you can do to bring in more happy feelings. It could be something as simple as putting some music on to boost your mood or taking a quick nap. It might be as complicated as carrying out a random act of kindness for someone else or volunteering.
Laughter is another big happiness booster. It helps to ease tension, releases a burst of feel-good hormones and can even help to stimulate your immune system. So get laughing with friends, watch your favourite comedy movie or just have a giggle to yourself when you can.
4. Do something that makes you feel good about yourself.
Many of us are constantly chasing happiness, trying to make ourselves feel better about our work, bodies, relationships and so on. We’re bombarded with messages that say you’re not productive enough at work, your face isn’t “perfect” for a magazine front cover or your family life isn’t quite as perfect as it should be.
However, you actually have more control over how you feel each day than you think. You can increase your mood and happiness by incorporating some simple daily habits. According to INTEGRIS On Your Health, some of these include:
5. Do something that makes you feel good about your life.
Doing things that make you feel good about your life is one of the best ways to improve your overall happiness. It could be something simple like going to a cafe for your favourite coffee; or splurging on a new outfit that makes you feel confident.
Laughing is also a great way to make you feel good. It releases all sorts of feel-good hormones and can help you bond with others.
For even more positive vibes, try listening to uplifting music or reading an inspirational quote. There are plenty of options out there, from TikTok creators who round up clips that remind you of humanity’s kindness, to Instagram feeds that post uplifting mantras multiple times a day. And remember that every time you wake up, there is a chance to make your day better.