Listen to “Hacking Happiness”.
Happiness is a state of mind. It is an underlying sense of contentment, fulfilment, and satisfaction in life. It’s something that comes and goes. Yet, while we all claim to want happiness, many of us are unhappy.
One of the longest-running studies on happiness, conducted through the Harvard Study of Adult Development unit at Harvard University, followed a group of 724 men from different backgrounds over the course of 80 years. The study discovered that fewer people worried about small things, the happier they were.
The study specifically found that as people age, they tend to focus on what is most important to them, and they begin to forget about the minor things in life.
The study also discovered that people who spent their money on experiences like trips and classes, rather than material possessions, were happier and more satisfied with how they spent their money. This highlights how the joy of memory and experience is much stronger than the short-term thrill of buying things.
Here are a few key hacks to happiness:
Gratitude is the real hack you’re looking for. When you’re grateful, you don’t only feel better; you also have a better and more fulfilled life. Remember, good things come to those who appreciate what they have.
No one has said it better than Oprah Winfrey:
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
Sleep has a direct relationship to happiness. When you don’t get enough of it, you struggle with mood swings and irritation.
If you’re feeling blue, try taking a step outside. According to a recent study, taking a daily nature walk can help boost your happiness, as well as your overall well-being and connectedness to others.
Smile. It is as simple as that. Regardless of whether or not you are happy, smiling can instantly boost your mood.
Meditate. When practising meditation, you can create the conditions necessary to experience a happier state of mind.
When meditating, you nurture the four essential ingredients of happiness: kindness, empathy, playfulness, and inner balance. By integrating these aspects of ourselves into our daily lives, we can reconnect with a happier state of mind and step away from our negative internal dialogues.
