DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY!

I always find it interesting to read that while personal income has more than doubled in the past 50 years happiness levels have got worse or remained the same. While this might be surprising, recent research has shown that only 10% of our happiness is due to our external circumstances: 50% of our happiness level comes from our genes and 40% comes from the things we do.

We know that the adult brain grows 5,000 new brain cells every day and we can rewire our brains to be happy, compassionate, and kind. All it takes is practice!

FORGIVE AND FORGET: Practicing forgiveness doesn’t only benefit the person we forgive, recent research shows that it has tangible physical and emotional benefits for ourselves as well. Forgiveness reduces tension, depression, anger, and stress.

GIVE AND TAKE: For our happiness, how we spend our money is as important, if not more important, than the amount of money that we make. Giving to others releases endorphins, activating the parts of our brains that are associated trust, pleasure, and social connection. Being altruistic and spending money on others leads to higher levels of happiness. 

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS: Positive psychology has concluded that counting our blessings has a measurably positive effect on our well-being. It is as simple as writing down three things you are grateful for every day for three weeks. 

BE POSITIVE: If we can become more positive we can get our brains to work more successfully and tap into the happiness advantage. Science has shown that we are significantly more productive when positive. When we feel positive our intelligence, creativity, and energy levels rise. 

PHONE A FRIEND: Our happiness depends on the happiness of those we are connected to. Relatedly, science shows that through practicing happiness, we make those we come into contact with happier.