Science Says These 9 Things Will Make You Happier

Happiness is almost impossible to define and means different things to different people.

Psychologists do generally agree however that 50% of our happiness is determined by our genes, 40% by our daily activities and 10% by our life circumstances.

Three Benefits Of Happiness

- Happier People Live LongerOlder people were 35% less likely to die during a 5-year study if they reported feeling happy.

- Happiness Can Combat StressA 3-year study showed that happier people had 23% lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, than those who were less happy.

- Happiness Makes Us More ProductiveA university study showed people who felt happy were 11% more productive at work than those who were unhappy.

9 Ways To Improve Your Happiness

1. EAT MORE FRUIT AND VEGGIES

Research from the University of Warwick found that eating more fruit and vegetables can significantly boost our happiness levels.

>> Build 8 portions of fruit or vegetables into your daily meals. Try snacking on dried fruit and drinking smoothies.

2. LIMIT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA TIME

According to a report by the Happiness Research Institute, users who quit Facebook for a week reported an increase in their average happiness rating

>> Deactivate your Facebook account for 30 days; this hides your account from all your friends. You can reactivate anytime by logging back in.

3. WALK TO WORK

Research from the University of East Anglia found that people who build walking into their daily commute benefitted from improved well-being, better ability to concentrate and lower levels of strain.

>> If you take the train or bus to work, get off two stops earlier and walk the rest of the way.

4. LOOK AT PICTURES OF CUTE ANIMALS

Researchers at the University of Hiroshima found that looking at pictures of cute animals evokes happy and excited emotions and can also improve our level of focus at work.

>> Load up Buzzfeed.com on your phone and check out some of their cute articles before work for an easy happiness boost.

5. SPEND AN EXTRA HOUR IN BED

A study by the University of Surreys Sleep Research Center found that just one extra hour of sleep per night can boost happiness and make us feel healthier.

>> Try going to bed one hour earlier for a whole week and avoid drinking any caffeinated drinks before bed.

6. PLAN A VACATION

Research led by the University of Rotterdam has shown that the act of planning a trip away boosts levels of happiness and anticipation, and these feelings can last up to 8 weeks.

>> Start a Pinterest board of places youd like to visit.

7. HUG IT OUT

Research has found that the act of hugging significantly boosts our levels of oxytocin, the love or trust hormone, making us feel happier.

>> Spend more time with those you feel closer to and try to give up to 8 hugs per day.

8. SPEND TIME WITH HAPPY PEOPLE

Researchers from Harvard and San Diego Universities found that, with each additional happy person you surround yourself with, your own probability of feeling happy increases by 9%.

>> Organize a party or gathering with your closest friends and talk about happy memories to boost the happiness of the entire group.

9. LISTEN TO MUSIC

Scientists at McGill University have found that listening to our favorite music releases dopamine, one of the happy hormones associated with rewards, giving us a pleasurable, happy feeling.

>> Create a playlist of upbeat songs and spend 5 minutes at the start of the day giving it a listen.

Though happiness is hard to define, its not that hard to find if you know where to look. Try our the tips on this infographic and see for yourself: https://www.cashnetusa.com/blog/9-things-will-make-happy-according-science/