SEVEN WAYS TO BE HAPPY RIGHT NOW

You may think that success will make you happy, but science disagrees: happiness makes people successful, not the other way around. Positive psychology research has demonstrated that happy people achieve more. 

wellbeing, banner1


“When we are happy—when our mindset and mood are positive—we are smarter, more motivated, and thus more successful. Happiness is the center, and success revolves around it”, writes Shawn Achor in The Happiness Advantage. Happiness can galvanise job performance, raising sales by 37 per cent, productivity by 31 per cent, and accuracy by 19 per cent.
That’s all well and good, but what if you’re having a bad day or even consider yourself a ‘glass-half-empty’ person? Luckily, research has shown that you cantrain your brain to feel happiness. Here are a few simple tricks to help you feel happier right now.
1. Be grateful
In a study on the effects of gratitude, university professors Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough asked participants to write down in a journal five things that had made them happy during the day. The participants only did this once a week, but after two months the people who kept a gratitude journal reported increased physical and mental wellbeing in comparison to the control group. Regularly counting your blessings in a gratitude journal is a simple but powerful way to become happier and more satisfied. If you’d like to explore other simple ways to cultivate gratitude in your life, try buying a surprise present for a loved one or sending someone a handwritten thank-you note. 

gettyimages-478849023.jpg

Take a deep breath
Image from gettyimages
2. Focus on your breath
A new study found that just 25 minutes of mindfulness meditation for three days can significantlyreduce stress levels. The long-term effects of mindfulness are even more astonishing: a Harvard studydiscovered that in eight weeks, meditation can change the chemistry of your brain by stimulating activity in areas associated with compassion and self-awareness. A simple mindfulness meditation practice you can fit into the busiest of days involves observing your breath and any occurring sensations quietly and without judgment for five or 10 minutes. When thoughts eventually flood your mind, acknowledge them and let them go. Be kind to yourself even when you get distracted: mindfulness is a process, not an end goal.  
3. Pack your swimsuit
If you’re having a really rough day, here’s a quick tip that’s guaranteed to lift your mood. Studies show that vacations don’t necessarily makes us happier, but looking forward to them does. Fostering anticipation is a great way to feel happier instantly. To maximise the effects of savoring things in advance, make sure that you spend more money on experiences than on things – studies show that experiential purchases provide longer-lasting happiness.
4. Look at something incredible
Awe. That indescribable feeling we get when we look something beautiful or majestic. It’s an understudied emotion, but scientists have discovered that it can transform the way we perceive our surroundings. Research has shown that eliciting a sense of awe makes us feel like we have more time. Experiences of awe enhance our well-being by making us more present and satisfied with our lives. Do you need to stand atop a fjord to feel awe? Not at all. A photo of a mountain peak, a symphony by Beethoven, or the kindness of a stranger can also provoke that sensation. 

gettyimages-459042261.jpg

Sunrise over clouds at the top of a mountain
Image from gettyimages
5. Sign out
A University of Michigan study demonstrated that Facebook use makes us feel less satisfied with our lives. Another study of the University of Missouri-Columbia showed that Facebook causes envy among users. You don’t need to stop using Facebook completely, but spending hours looking at your coworkers’ vacation photos is bound to make you feel worse. Sign out of Facebook once in a while, or use the platform to connect with a friend you haven’t seen in a while – reaching out to other people will improve your mood.
6. Exercise
We all know that exercise improves physical and mental health, but you don’t need to spend hours at the gym - even five minutes of exercise can give you amood boost. 

gettyimages-461006269.jpg

Yoga class marked on calendar
Image from gettyimages
7. Form a habit
If you want to enhance your wellbeing in the long term, commit to putting at least one of the ideas above into practice over the next month. It takes longer than 21 days to form a habit, but the journey to happiness is a fun one – don’t put it off.
This is a guest blog and may not represent the views of Virgin.com. Please see virgin.com/terms for more details. Thumbnail from gettyimages.

wellbeing, banner2

3.3K
Shares

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Letter to Nigeria Youth by Prof Bernard Odoh - Bloomsford Entrepreneurship Academy

Image
LETTER TO YOUTH By Prof Benard Odoh Keep your Degree in a safe custody for future opportunity, and engage in entrepreneur skills, otherwise you will die poor. Most of the educated people in Nigeria are poor. Majority of the educated earn less than N55,000 for a salary before tax and other deductions. When the deductions are put into consideration, the net salary comes to around N50,000. The net salary then suffers from loan deductions of up to N15,000 leaving the salary at around N35,000. The landlord then demands for his N15,000 and monthly shopping takes away N10,000 leaving one with a N10,000. The bus will demand for N300 going to and from work and relatives get another N2,500. The whole salary is gone and borrowed money starts operating. The borrowed money includes short loans and salary advances. The difference between poverty and prosperity is property. A prosperous person has property to his name while a poverty stricken person has no property to show. Using this unde
Read more

Two important management lessons I learnt from a 500 Naira note. - Bloomsford Entrepreneurship

Image
Take action. 1. It happened some time ago but I was in an audience listening to a motivational speaker. The speaker got out his wallet & pulled out a 500 Naira note. Holding it up, he asked, "Who wants this 500 naira note?" Lots of hands went up. Including mine. A slow chorus began to build as people began to shout "Me!" "Me!" I began to wonder who the lucky one would be, who the speaker would choose. And I also secretly wondered (and I am sure others did too ) why he would simply give away 500 naira. Even as the shouts of "I want it" grew louder, I noticed a young woman running down the aisle. She ran up onto the stage, went up to the speaker, and grabbed the five 500 naira note from his hand. "Well done, young lady," said the speaker into the microphone. The speaker simply say "Most of us just sit and wait for good things to happen. That's of no use. You've got to make things happen. Make a move" 'Simply thin
Read more

Career Opportunities At Mutual Trust Microfinance Bank

Image
Career Opportunities At Mutual Trust Microfinance Bank Mutual Trust Microfinance Bank is an aggressive and forward looking Microfinance Bank in Abuja. We seek to employ for the vacant position below: Job Title: Head, Financial Control Location: Abuja Requirements A minimum of first degree or its equivalent in any discipline (additional qualification or degree in any finance or business related discipline may be an advantage) Evidence that the candidate possesses proven competences in the respective position. Minimum of eight (8) years post-qualification experience out of which, at least five (5) must be in the financial services industry (and relevant to the position of interest) and least, three (3) at the senior management level Key advantage is an evidence that the candidate possesses proven skills and competences in practical Microfinance Banking and has undergone the Microfinance Certification Program and obtained a Certificate in Microfinance Banking issued by the Charte
Read more