While I was thinking about what makes me happy, I came across this article from Yes! magazine that was titled "10 Things Science Says Will Make You Happy", and I was very interested to see if I agreed with them. A little to my surprise, I agreed with each of the ten things these Stanford scientists concluded. Here's what they said, with some of my comments about why I think they can make you happy:
- Savor Everyday Moments
- Think back on pleasant moments that happened each day. Write them down so you can look back on them even further in the future!
- Avoid Comparisons
- You are you, and no body else can be. And you can't be anybody else. Don't damage your self esteem by looking at others-- focus on your own accomplishments!
- Put Money Low on the List
- Yes, it is important to make a decent living for yourself. But putting money on the top of your to-do list can cause unneeded anxiety and low self-esteem.
- Have Meaningful Goals
- Having something to work towards that is constantly in your mind can drive you through life and make you very happy when you succeed.
- Take Initiative at Work
- Usually, work and happiness are rarely put together in a sentence. But helping others and having the satisfaction of knowing you did your best in the workplace can not only bring you happiness, but also the attention of your boss! (In a good way)
- Make Friends, Treasure Family
- Pretty self-explanatory, but having close relationships with people you can really count on can help you to be happy more than anything else.
- Smile Even When You Don't Feel Like It
- Building the habit of always being friendly and smiling may feel stupid at first, but it will eventually turn you into someone who is always genuinely friendly and happy. It will help you enjoy life and people more!
- Say Thank You Like You Mean It
- I personally have experienced this-- if you genuinely thank people, even for the smallest things, they will be more friendly to you and it will actually positively effect your attitude towards them!
- Get Out and Exercise
- Countless studies have been done on the effects of exercise and attitude. Through personal experience, I have found that exercise can really clear your mind, make you feel better, and of course help your health!
- Give It Away, Give It Away Now!
- This section is talking about service, a huge morale booster. The knowledge that you are helping to make the world or a life better is unlike any other feeling that you can experience. You can honestly always count on service to make your day better.
I think that if you apply these principles in your life (if you already don't), one by one, no matter how stupid they may sound to you, you can become one of the happiest people ever. And everyone loves being happy, right? :)
La vie est belle :)
To read the full article by Jen Angel, click this link:
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