The Science of Happiness Everything you need to know to feel more fulfilled right now. WHAT IS HAPPINESS, ANYWAY? We all have deeply personal (and different!) definitions of happiness. But here's how scientists see it: Happiness is a combination of: How satisfied you are with your life + How good you feel on a day-to-day basis World’s best boss It varies from person to person, but approximately… 40% of your happiness is controlled by your thoughts, actions, and behaviors 50% is biologically determined 10% is determined by your circumstances Winner Contrary to popular belief, we get used to our circumstances over time, so they don't play as large of a role in our happiness level as we might think! Happiness is a skill that you can build with consistent practice. You have the ability to control how fulfilling your life is! HERE'S WHAT HAPPINESS IS NOT -Feeling hunky-dory all the time -Having all the money you could ever want -Refusing to see the negative stuff in the world -A final destination Happiness HAPPY PEOPLE ARE HEALTHIER They have lower rates of cardiovascular disease They have better immunity They heal faster after injuries They're more likely to have a healthier diet They live longer Keep It Steady It's healthier to have steady levels of moderate happiness over a period of time than spikes of extreme happiness. WHY YOUR HAPPINESS ISN'T JUST ABOUT YOU Happy people… Are more productive at their jobs Typically have deep relationships with others Help others and volunteer more Are more likely to donate money to charity Are more creative problem-solvers Give INCREASE YOUR HAPPINESS IN THE LONG RUN BY… Nurturing relationships Having new experiences Helping others Being grateful for what you have Today I'm grateful for… Get even more happiness out of a good experience by savoring it Use all your senses: pay attention to sights, sounds, smells, etc. -Pay attention to the little details of the experience -Share it with someone else -Linger! Dwell on the moment Fiction Savoring experiences makes us happier, more grateful and more hopeful while reducing levels of stress, guilt, and depression. They strengthen the parts of the brain connected with happiness. 3 Things That Will Kill Your Happiness Over Time Comparing yourself to others A lack of close friendships Holding onto resentment EMBRACE ADVERSITY People who've experienced some adversity in life are happier than those who've never experienced any. Eviction notice After adversity, once we've got some distance and perspective, making sense of our life's challenges helps us: Shape our identities Increase our resilience Cope better with current stressors Become more optimistic about the future THE SEARCH FOR MEANING To feel connected to a deeper purpose or mission in life is key for our well-being. People who report having more meaning in their lives are more likely to have stable moods and show sociable behavior. People of all ages report being happier when they have more meaning in their lives. Different Ways People Find Meaning -Through a fulfilling career People who find meaning at work show more motivation and engagement on the job. -Through spirituality/religion Americans who are spiritual or religious tend to be happier than those who aren't. Besides meaning, it also gives people a built-in social network. -By raising kids 85% of parents think that their children bring them the most happiness and fulfillment of any relationship. -By pursuing goals that align with their core values Goals that include commitment to something outside ourselves (such as our friends, family or community) promote life satisfaction. MAKE TIME FOR FRIENDS 6-7 Hours On days when people spend 6-7 hours with friends or family, they're 12 times more likely to report feeling happy rather than stressed. 8-9 Hours People who work full-time experience the most happiness on days when they spend 8-9 hours with friends and family. (So make the most of those weekends!) THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

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If there's one takeaway from the science of happiness, it's this: You have the ability to control how you feel—and with consistent practice, you can form life-long habits for a more satisfying and fulfilling life.

Take charge of your happiness: Try Happify's science-based activities and games to help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.

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