Can You Make Yourself Happy?
I wrote an earlier post in August on happiness that was inspired by a quote on a favorite necklace. The post at https://angelicafrench.blogspot.com/2017/08/happiness-is.html garnered a lot of page views. I says to me, “Hmm. People must be interested in happiness. I wonder what the research has to say about happiness.”
What does the research say? A recent National Geographic article (November 2017) looked internationally and boiled the results to a sense of pleasure, purpose and pride. When you have those, you tend to be happier. That is consistent with the necklace quote from Gandhi: “Happiness is when what you think and what you say and what you do are in harmony.”
Let’s look at what the signs of happiness are.
Prevention magazine in the September 21, 2010 issue identified nine aspects/traits associated with feeling joyful. The nine are: you were a smiley student, you have a sister, you’re not glued to the TV, you keep souvenirs on display, you make exercise a priority, you have a healthy love life, you hang with happy people, you stay warm with hot cocoa (or tea or coffee), and you have two best friends.
Hmm. Eight out of nine ain’t bad! I guess what people say about me is true. I manifest signs of being a happy person. And I view myself as a happy person. I’m not too introspective about the why of it. I admit to mostly taking my positivity for granted. And I shouldn’t, I know. So many people are not happy that I need to be more grateful for the situation I’m in that leads me to this happiness state.
I used to drive my father crazy. He was the exact opposite of me in temperament. He never saw the glass as half full OR half empty. He was more likely to say, “What glass? There’s no glass.” Yes, we did argue. A lot. Still my inner happiness shown through despite setbacks and circumstances.
Scientists in the field of positivity include Sonja Lyubormirsky, Ed Diener, Robert Biswas-Diener, Stephen Post. They have found that your actions have a significant effect on your states of satisfaction and happiness. An article in Yes! Magazine (http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/sustainable-happiness/10-things-science-says-will-make-you) summarized their findings. Here are those ten things that science says make us happy:
1) Savor everyday moments.
2) Avoid comparisons.
3) Put money low on the list.
4) Have meaningful goals. (strive for significance)
5) Take initiative at work. (express creativity, help others)
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6) Make friends, treasure family.
7) Smile — even when you don’t feel like it. (fake it ’til you make it)
8) Say thank you like you mean it.
9) Get out and exercise.
10) Give it away. (money, time, goods and services)
There is not one thing on that list that we cannot do on a regular basis. If these are the components of happiness, then simply set about to change your habits in areas where you fall short. You can be in control of your happiness level says scientific research.
In another happiness study reported by Dr. Axe, “What Makes Us Happy and Healthy?” (https://draxe.com/happiness-study/), the Harvard Happiness Study found that “good relationships keep us happier and healthier, period.” Simply put: social connections matter, the quality of relationships is more important than the quantity, and good relationships protect our brains.
In Albert Ellis’ study of happiness (https://psychcentral.com/lib/what-makes-us-happy/) he debunked the idea that happiness stems from external circumstances like losing weight or having more money. He found that happiness was highly correlated with sleep quality and depression proneness.
And the old saw that money can’t buy happiness? A study (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/money-buys-happiness-never-too-154159934.html) by a couple of economists called that into question. In fact, international findings were that those with the most income in countries reported the highest levels of satisfaction. Doubling income doubled satisfaction whether it was from $1000 to $2000 or from $10,000 to $20,000. Their study could be used to make a case for income redistribution!
Nevertheless, making more money isn’t feasible for all of us. But, other findings from research scientists tell us we can become happier. Implement their findings. Just do it!
One of my favorite gifts to give those struggling with life is Dr. Barbara Frederickson’s book, Positivity (https://smile.amazon.com/Positivity-Top-Notch-Research-Reveals-Upward/dp/0307393747/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1508335215&sr=1-1&keywords=barbara+fredrickson).
She explains her research into how to change your brain — literally restructure the brain — so you can become more positive about life with her discovered 3–1 ratio of actions.
Do you know the Pharrell Williams song, “Happy”(https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pharrellwilliams/happy.html)? That’s kind of me.
I do know what makes me and keeps me happy. Do you know your happiness triggers?
