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What makes people happy? Habits of Happy People â€" Backed By Research
Activities of happy people
- They meditate.
- They exercise regularly. “Surveys show that exercise may very well be the most effective instant happiness booster of all activities.”
- They stop and smell the roses.
- They spend time with their furry friends.
- They spend time outside.
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Happy people are generous
- They give freely.
- They spend money on experiences.
- They spend money to benefit others.
- They forgive (themselves and others).
The conscious attitude of happy people
- They don’t compare themselves to others.
- They practice gratitude.
- They are hopeful and optimistic.
- They practice mindfulness.
- They comfort themselves in hard times.
- They don’t overthink.
- They remember the positive.
- They try to be happy.
- They act happy.
Having Things to Look Forward To
Happy people tend to live active and somewhat busy lives. They meet up with friends after work, go on a hiking trip with the family on the weekend, and play tennis every Wednesday morning with a friend.
This busy lifestyle provides an unintended but powerful source of happiness: anticipation.
Character Strengths
Each one of us has certain distinct character strengths. Some people are particularly courageous, others are very honest, empathic, loyal, intelligent, optimistic or integer.
Research has found that using our biggest strengths – what they call ‘signature strengths’ – makes us incredibly happy and fulfilled.
Happy People See Their Jobs as a Calling
A calling is to view your work with the belief that it contributes to something larger than yourself, to the greater good.
‘The Paradox of Choice’
More choices don’t equal more happiness, but less.
Research in recent years has shown over and over again that an overabundance of possibilities to choose from can have terrible effects on our well-being, especially when combined with regret, adaptation, social comparison, and concern about status.
Happy people vs. miserable people
Happy people engage in more happiness-boosting habits while unhappy people engage in more misery-inducing habits.
You can choose which habits to cultivate in your life. If you want to be happier, simply install more happiness-boosting habits.
That means that your happiness lies in your very own hands. You can choose which habits to cultivate in your life.
Happy People Experience Flow Often
It is marked by intense concentration, a sense of timelessness, and a loss of self-consciousness. It’s a deeply healing and enjoyable state and one that greatly contributes to our happiness.
Happy people look after their relationships
- They spend ample time with friends and family.
- They celebrate other people’s successes.
- They engage in deep conversations.
- They make the people around them happy.
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Happy people are responsible
- They don't hold on to grudges. Forgiving and forgetting is absolutely necessary.
- They don't make excuses. They use failure as an opportunity to change for the better.
Happy people are well rounded people
- They savor the moment. They "stop to smell the roses".
- They're busy, but not rushed. A healthy work-life balance is key.
- They don't sweat the small stuff. They focus only of what is important and within their control.
Happy people invest in their relationships
- They spend money on others. One reason is that it creates social connections.
- They celebrate other people's success through "active and constructive" responding.
- They treat everyone with respect and kindness. Kindness, like happiness, is contagious.
- They're proactive about relationships. They work on maintaining their relationships.
- They express gratitude. It improves mood and energy and decreases anxiety.
- They engage in deep, meaningful conversations.
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Be Busy, But Not Rushed
Being “rushed” puts you on the fast track to being miserable.
Live a productive life at a comfortable pace. Learn to say no to busywork.
Have 5 Close Relationships
National surveys find that when someone claims to have 5 or more friends with whom they can discuss important problems, they are 60 percent more likely to say that they are ‘very happy’.
Excerpt from the book Finding Flow.
True friends really are worth their weight in gold. Check in regularly with close friends (around every two weeks).
Happiness And External Events
Self-esteem is good for confidence, but self-esteem that is bound to external success can be quite fickle.
Think of yourself less and avoid the trap of tying your self-worth to external signals.
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Behavior is contagious
Context is the most powerful catalyst for changing your life. And the persons you associate with often determine the type of person you become.
For people who want improved he...
Making friends = Making happiness
Time spent making friends has a higher happiness Return on Investment than time spent making money.
Also, introduce friends to friends. Friends becoming happy increases your chance of happiness by 45%. Keeping the network happy protects you against unhappiness.
Friends are family
A few studies looked at the genetic similarity between friends and found that on a very deep level you resemble your friends genetically.
What this means is that, basically, your friends are kin that you choose.
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