13 Jun 7 (science-backed) ways to find happiness
via Bustle by Kristine Fellizar
Happiness is something many try to achieve. However, as many of us know, it’s not exactly the easiest thing obtain. If you’re looking for ways to bring more happiness into your life, science has the answer.
“Research shows happiness is an equation of positive emotions plus overall life satisfaction,” life coach, Prue Blennerhassett, tells Bustle. “So it’s both a combination of how we feel moment to moment, as well as our overall movement towards living a satisfying life — whatever that means for us.”
According to Blennerhasset, there are so many great ways to be a happier personeach day. As cheesy as it sounds, it all starts from within you. “It’s important to follow what feels good whenever possible,” she says. That means choose to participate in activities and be around people that make you feel alive, inspired, and completely yourself.
“Trying to be something or someone you’re not is exhausting,” Blennerhasset says. “Being authentically you provides space for other people to accept you as you are and for them to be who they are too, it’s a win-win.”
The pursuit of happiness is a concept many of us are familiar with. But according to a recent study, published in the journal Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, making happiness a goal tends to have the opposite effect. When you try to achieve happiness, it can make you feel like you’re working on some kind of a deadline. But that’s not how happiness works. There shouldn’t be a deadline or time crunch involved.
Since “pursuing happiness” doesn’t actually work, here are some science-backed hacks to finding happiness that do.
1.Enjoy The Simple Things
A 2016 study published in the Journal of the Association for Consumer Researchfound slowing down and enjoying the simple pleasures of life can help reduce stress and increase happiness. Incorporating simple pleasures can include things like singing as part of a choir, dancing, listening to music, reading, taking a walk, or doing something artsy. “Participating in these types of activities causes the release of endorphins, the feel-good chemicals and provide almost positive psychological effects, which can be calming yet energizing,” Dr. Clarissa Hughes, Accredited Mindfulness Coach and Speaker, tells Bustle. And who doesn’t want that?
2.Be Kind
Doing kind things for others can also increase your happiness and sense of satisfaction, according to a 2016 Oxford University study. “When we are kind, the brain reacts positively and similar to simple pleasures, we get chemical releases such as serotonin that can promote a positive mood,” Hughes says. Dopamine also rushes through the body, and the brain signals “a particular type of elation” as a result. This is known as a “helper’s high.”
So find ways to give back to others. It could be as simple as being present and listening to a friend or colleague, it could be a random act of kindness like making someone coffee, or you can go out there and volunteer. When you do good for others, you do good for yourself…
…keep reading the full & original article HERE