The word happiness can be defined in many different ways, but for our purposes, we’ll go with a state of well-being characterized by feelings of contentment, satisfaction, and pleasure. According to recent studies , happy people are more attractive to others, have an easier time in relationships, and have greater job security than those who are not so happy. So how do you become one of these happy people? First, you need to learn why happiness has the power to make people around you feel better even when they aren’t experiencing the same joy that you are feeling.
The Science of Happiness
Happiness is contagious. That’s according to a new study that shows that happiness spreads between people in social networks up to three degrees removed. This can be either through face-to-face interactions or through online platforms like Facebook. The study, which was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, followed 1,495 Americans for six years. It also found that happiness has a positive effect on people’s physical health and longevity. In general, we find that happy people are more successful, said University at Buffalo Professor Alex Michalos, PhD., one of the authors on the study. They are more likely to be employed and have higher incomes.
The Benefits of Being Happy
Being happy has a ripple effect on those around you. Studies show that people who are happy are more likely to experience an increase in energy, creativity, productivity, and friendliness. One study found that when we’re with someone who’s in a good mood, our own mood improves by 14%. In other words, if you want to be happier, surround yourself with people who are happy. This might sound hard at first (after all, it’s not always easy for someone to be in a bad mood), but happiness can be contagious! It starts with taking small steps towards feeling happier every day – like smiling more often or spending 10 minutes each morning meditating.
How to Spread Happiness
It sounds cliché, but it’s true. If you want to spread happiness, start by being happy yourself. The simple act of smiling can be contagious. Studies have shown that people are more likely to share a smile with someone who’s smiling than with someone who isn’t. It doesn’t cost anything to smile, but it can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you. Even if you don’t feel like smiling, force yourself for ten seconds before going about your day to see how much better it feels when you do! There are also many ways to spread happiness on a larger scale. One way is by teaching others what they’ve learned from their own struggles or experiences so they don’t have to go through it themselves.
Ways to Increase Your Own Happiness
There are many ways to increase your own happiness, but a few simple tips are outlined below.
- Meditate for five minutes each day. Meditation helps you clear your head, relax, and focus on the present moment. Try this simple 3-minute meditation technique from Happify’s website. * Practice gratitude by writing down at least three things you’re grateful for every night before bed or in the morning when you wake up. This can help improve how you feel about your life overall, according to a study in Clinical Psychological Science journal that followed people who kept gratitude journals for one week versus those who recorded their hassles or neutral thoughts. * Spend time with animals!