How’s your Happiness Quotient?

Fri, Mar 20, 2009

Alternative Medicine, Archives, Men's Health, Midlife Crisis, Natural Herbs & Foods, Women's Health

If you’re like most people, you are actively seeking more happiness in your life. But you may be looking in the wrong places, and that may not be your fault. Turn on your TV, read a magazine, or log on to the Internet, and you’re assaulted by a never-ending bombardment of advertising pitches. They’ll try to convince you that happiness can be yours for the price of a new car, an expensive watch, or a trendy cell phone, but the sad truth is that the pleasure of a new acquisition fades quickly and will do nothing to increase your happiness quotient.

Happy Can wealth make you happier? You’ve often heard that money can’t buy happiness, but few of us actually believe it. And yet, research has shown that once your basic needs are met, additional income does little to raise your sense of satisfaction with life. Additional income can raise your future happiness index, however, by helping you to secure your retirement goals or your children’s education.

Some people believe that youth is the key to happiness, but the fact is that older people are more consistently satisfied with their lives than the young, and they’re less prone to dark moods, too. Perhaps you’re thinking that a move to warmer, sunnier weather might make you happier? Well, think again! Tropical islands and the romantic French Riviera may be happy places to visit, but a recent study at England’s University of Leicester has shown that the world’s happiest people are the Danes, even though the climate can be unrelentingly cloudy, cold, and damp.

The good news is that you don’t have to move to Copenhagen to be happy. You can increase your happiness quotient over the long term by adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and making time for friends and family.

But what if you’re feeling blue right now?

Here are some strategies that can help you to lift your spirits immediately (excerpted from Gretchen Rubin’s enlightening blog, The Happiness Project). Try to check off as many of the following items as possible, and you’ll really see a difference in your mood!

Boost your energy. Stand up and pace while you talk on the phone or, better still, take a brisk ten-minute walk outdoors. Research shows that the activity and sunlight are good for your focus, your mood, and the retention of information.
Reach out to friends. Having warm, close bonds with other people is one of the keys to happiness, so take the time to stay in touch.
Rid yourself of a nagging task. Crossing an irksome chore off your to-do list will give you a big rush of energy and cheer, and you’ll be surprised that you procrastinated for so long.
Create a calmer environment. Clear some physical and mental space around your desk by sorting papers, pitching junk, or even just making your piles neater. A large stack of little tasks can feel overwhelming, but often just a few minutes of work can make a sizeable dent.
Lay the groundwork for some future fun. Order a novel you’ve been wanting to read, or plan a weekend activity that brings you pleasure. Try to involve friends or family, as well; people enjoy almost all activities more when they’re with other people than when they’re alone.
Do a good deed. Introduce two people who could help each other, or shoot someone an email with some useful information or gratifying praise. If you do good, you’ll feel good—this really works.
Act happy. Put a smile on your face right now, even if you’re faking it. Research shows that even an artificially induced smile has a positive influence on your emotions. And if you’re smiling, other people will perceive you as being friendlier and more approachable.
Listen to your favorite music. Studies show that listening to music is one of the most effective ways to boost your energy and mood (second only to exercise). In fact, in one study, 92% of people felt happier when they listened to music they liked. For an added boost, dance around the room, too.