What makes you happy? According to a new study, there are four things you can do to boost your happiness quotient. The study, led by University of Hertfordshire psychologist Richard Wiseman, author of
59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot (Macmillan), examined more than 26 000 participants carrying out exercises that were thought to boost happiness.
| ACTS OF KINDNESS |
THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE
Page says having a grateful attitude makes you more appreciative of the things you do have. 'As soon as we feel good about ourselves, the brain starts to reward us by releasing the feel good hormone.' |
| THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE |
| POWER OF SMILING |
| HAPPY MEMORIES |
The results showed that people who performed
acts of kindness had their happiness quotient increased by 9%, while those who thought about things in their lives that made them feel
grateful boosted their mood by 9%. Participants who were asked to
smile more often saw their happiness increase by 8% and the final group, who relived
happy memories, saw their happiness increase by 15%.
To conclude, Page says all four of Wiseman's methods of boosting your happiness quotient can be effective. 'They are all about taking action, about taking that first step, the choice that no matter what, no matter how tough, no matter how challenging that today you will be happy!'