How to be Happy

How to be Happy by Using the Science of Happiness

Happiness is something we talk about all the time, but how often do we pursue it with intention and purpose?

Even if you are actively trying to be happy, are you doing it the right way? Do you have the knowledge and skills to achieve happiness?

It sounds strange to think of happiness as a skill, but research shows it can be broken down into steps you can learn and control.

We're often focused on accumulating more material belongings to make us happy - money, house, car and the latest technology and toys...

...but our circumstances only account for about 10% for our happiness.

So what should you be focused on?

The team at Happify are psychologists, researchers and experts in the science of happiness, so it made sense to collaborate with them on a video about being happy.

I hope you find it valuable :)

REFERENCES:

U.N. World Happiness Report 2016

Gruber, J., Kogan, A. et al. (2013) Happiness is best kept stable: positive emotion variability is associated with poorer psychological health. Emotion.

The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky

Tamir, M. & Ford, B.Q. (2012) Should people pursue feeling that feel good or feelings that do good? Emotion.

The Myths of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky

Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

Dunn E.W., Aknin, L.B., & Norton, M.I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science.

Finding Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Bryant, Fred and Veroff, Joseph. Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience. Psychology Press, 2007.

Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson

Steger, M. F., Oishi, S., & Kashdan, T. B. (2009). Meaning in life across the life span: Levels and correlates of meaning in life from emerging adulthood to older adulthood. Journal of Positive Psychology.

Rosso, B.D. & Dekas, K.H. (2010). On the meaning of work: A theoretical integration and review. Research in Organizational Behavior.

Seligman, M. E. P., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist.

Lim, C. & Putnam, R.D. (2010) Religion, social networks, and life satisfaction. American Sociological Review.

Lutz, A. Greischar, L.L., et al. (2004) Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice. PNAS.

Diener, E. & Chan, M.Y. (2011) Happy people live longer: Subjective well-being contributes to health and longevity. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being.

Achor, Shawn. (2012) "Positive Intelligence." Harvard Business Review.

Oswald, A.J., Proto, E. & Sgroi, D. (2013) Happiness and productivity. Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy.

Individual Giving Survey 2012 / Nielsen & National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre

World Giving Index / Gallup

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/when_is_parenting_all_joy_and_no_fun