{"id":37758,"date":"2018-09-29T18:17:09","date_gmt":"2018-09-29T15:17:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/?p=37758"},"modified":"2018-09-29T18:17:09","modified_gmt":"2018-09-29T15:17:09","slug":"what-makes-people-happy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifeadvancer.com\/what-makes-people-happy\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes People Happy? 8 Studies That May Change Your View of Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happiness has various meanings for different people. It\u2019s not always easy to understand what it is that makes people happy.<\/p>\n

What made me happy as a child has changed a bit now that I\u2019m an adult. Well, ice cream still makes me happy, and so does splashing my feet in cool water. But, there are many other things which have changed me between then and now, and in turn, changed the way I see happiness<\/strong>. Now, I believe the things which make me happy are simple.<\/p>\n

Dr. William Compton describes happiness as so:<\/p>\n

\u201cto make normal life more fulfilling.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Transforming the way we see happiness<\/h2>\n

In our quest to understand happiness<\/strong>, we have read, questioned, and experimented with different things. Studies reveal things that could change the way we used to see joy and contentment, or shall I say happiness.<\/p>\n

Here are some interesting facts and studies that shed light on the things that make people truly happy<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

1. The Science of Gratitude<\/h4>\n

This study<\/a> was conducted in 2005 at the University of Pennsylvania<\/strong>, and it states that happiness lies in the simplicity of gratitude. Just three admissions of gratitude per day can greatly change our mood into a more positive outlook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A few things we can be grateful for are our shelter, food, and our families. Many times we focus on the things that we want and not on the things we already have, which, in the end, bring us such fulfillment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

2. The power of spending money on others<\/h4>\n

In 2008 at the University of California in Berkley<\/strong>, a study proved<\/a> that those who spent more money on others than themselves were much happier than self-absorbed individuals.<\/p>\n

The reason this is true is that a certain satisfaction comes with making life better<\/strong> or more enjoyable for other people<\/a>. When you know you\u2019ve improved the lives of others, you will feel \u201cfull\u201d inside.<\/p>\n

3. Exercising makes people happier<\/h4>\n

I think we already knew this to be true, but being active improves the mood<\/strong>. Exercise<\/a> changes chemicals in our bodies, and even if it didn\u2019t, we can feel truly happy knowing that we\u2019ve done something to better ourselves physically and mentally.<\/p>\n

If you want to know what makes people happy, then trust in this study<\/a> from the University of Bristol from 2008<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

4. Smiling makes life better<\/h4>\n

I bet you\u2019ve heard this many times before, but smiling really does make you feel better<\/strong>. If sometimes you don\u2019t feel like smiling, you can fake it until you make it! There is just something magical happening when you smile<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to Michigan State University in 2011<\/a><\/strong>, all it takes is recalling a fond memory from the past and voila, a beautiful smile spread across your face and brighten your day.<\/p>\n

5. The myth of wealth and well-being<\/h4>\n

A huge myth persists in society today. Humans believe that the more money you have, the happier you will be. On the contrary, the more money you have, the more opportunity for trouble<\/strong> to surface.<\/p>\n

At least that\u2019s how it seems. It\u2019s totally false that happiness lies within the confines of wealth. You can be humble and still be just as happy. It\u2019s actually how you see your life and not about how many belongings or money you have. Harvard Business School<\/strong> conducted this study<\/a> in 2009<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

6. More Oxytocin, better morals, and more trust<\/h4>\n

Scientists have discovered that when we are treated well, we are able to trust and we have better morals. So, when hugs are being offered, we should take advantage of them. Hugs make your body release more oxytocin<\/strong> and improve your day drastically.<\/p>\n

Research<\/a> from Claremont Graduate University in 2011<\/strong>, and the educated opinion of neuro-economist, Paul Zak<\/strong>, reveal that being kind, thus releasing \u201chormones<\/a> could be the key to a better world altogether.<\/p>\n

7. The Dynamic Spread of Happiness<\/h4>\n

In 2008, at the University of California in San Diego<\/strong>, studies<\/a> confirm that being around happy people will make you happier in the future. So, the key is this: Always try to surround yourself<\/a> with loving and positive individuals so that you can reap happiness<\/strong> as you go through life.<\/p>\n

This also means that being around negative people would have the opposite effect. So, keep this in mind.<\/p>\n

8. The public health intervention of volunteer work<\/h4>\n

So, it seems that volunteer work can do wonders for your health<\/strong>. So, what makes people happy? According to a study<\/a> at the University of Exeter Medical School in 2013<\/strong>, volunteer work not only makes you feel better about yourself but also reduces your risk of early death.<\/p>\n

So, if nothing else, you can look forward to a long life when you help others or special causes.<\/p>\n

So, what makes people genuinely happy?<\/h2>\n

After reading through the various studies about happiness, I can say that authentic happiness<\/a> is about fulfillment<\/strong> rather than material possessions. It\u2019s about love and compassion<\/strong>, and not being entertained endlessly all the time. Happiness is not a selfish thing.<\/p>\n

Rather, happiness is knowing that you did the right thing and you feel good about that. Happiness is also about enjoying rewards and fun, all with a clear conscience. I think we all should take some time to really analyze what makes us happy.<\/p>\n

I think we would be pretty surprised by what we find.<\/p>\n

References<\/strong>:<\/p>\n