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 |
ACTS OF KINDNESS
'Acts of kindness make us feel better because they make us feel worthwhile,' says Donna Page, a clinical psychologist. 'They give our life meaning. The same can be said of achieving the goals we set, however small they may seem. All these things help improve our self esteem.'
On the other hand, Sandy Hoffman, a counselling psychologist, says if you are constantly giving you may begin to resent having to perform yet another act of kindness. 'We all need some mutuality in our lives, give and take, when this is out of balance we are likely to feel less happiness rather than more.' |
| 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!'