Happiness is elusive, and it’s one of the least studied human emotions. Philosophers, economists and even a whole branch of psychology (positive psychology) have attempted to pin down what happiness is.
But despite the difficulty of measuring it, there are many ways to increase your happiness. Here are a few to try: 1. Keep a full tank.
1. The right fuel
The right fuel is the key to success in anything, and happiness is no exception. Ground breaking research in the field of positive psychology has revealed that more than half of our happiness comes from things that are actually under our control.
If we focus on the things we can’t control, like money or good health, we will be disappointed and unhappy. Instead, if we focus on the things we can control, like diet, exercise, sleep and a good attitude, we will be much happier.
Philosophers, theologians and economists have long sought to define happiness, while a whole branch of psychology—positive psychology—is devoted to understanding it. Happiness is a powerful, elusive feeling that may seem impossible to pin down. It is often described as a mixture of pleasure and eudaimonia, or “meaningful well-being.” The close connection between mental health and happiness should be enough to make it a top priority for parents, teachers, medical professionals, researchers, and business leaders alike.
4. The right amount of water
Drinking water is a habit most of us have heard our entire lives and it’s something we know to be good for us. But a new study suggests that proper hydration could also be the key to happiness.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Bosch home appliances, asked 2,000 Americans to self-report their daily hydration habits. People who drank the recommended amount of water each day were three times more likely to say they felt very happy, the research found.
Forty percent of those who drank six or more glasses of water each day strongly agreed they are optimistic, while only 12% of those who drank less than five eight-ounce glasses said the same thing. The participants who drank more than six glasses of water per day also reported waking up feeling exhausted less frequently.
White says that while spending time around or in water can boost your mood, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many other factors at play when determining happiness.