While lying prostrate in various hospital beds this past winter (and a long winter it was), yours truly had plenty of time to contemplate the mysteries of nature, the human condition, and even the Divine. The gist of this copious contemplation is that we should not worry and just be happy.
In honor of the recent arrival of spring, and the renewal it brings, I would like to share several scientifically-backed facts that we need to know about getting to our happy place. Luckily for us, there is plenty of scientific evidence that the state of being happy is easy to accomplish for most humans, excepting a herd of tea party types and ex-wives. Now, understand that I know plenty of tea party types who are happy on an individual basis. However, tea party Republicans come across as a very unhappy group in their public discourse and other political pontifications. Who knows, perhaps they all suffer from some sort of unfortunate genetic abnormality?
Not to worry! We are all fortunate to have access to the knowledge of many characteristics that result in happy lives and happy wives. (Now, exactly where was this knowledge when yours truly was married?) However, we now have access to this fantastic knowledge. Hopefully, we will use it often.
It turns out that there are a lot of factors that can affect whether or not we are consistently sporting sunny dispositions. Ranging from mindful presence to the scantly gently riding the air currents, we may not even be aware that these influences could be contributing to our overall life satisfaction.
Being happy is a choice that we must choose every day. As Aristotle once said, “Happiness depends upon ourselves.” Perhaps the easiest way that we can find bliss is to accept the fact that it is completely upon us. Happiness researchers say that as much as 40 percent of our happiness levels remain within our personal control. If we are to turn happiness into something that we can create we need to adopt small habits – like lingering on positive moments and forcing ourselves to smile. If we do this then we will start to feel joy on our own.
Even the weather can influence happiness. Those of us who live in temperate climates have a good chance of being more cheerful. Some research indicates that there is a correlation between milder summers and winters and happiness. While mild climates can boost our mood, harsher climates can have a negative effect. During the winter months, many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, primarily due to the lack of sunlight that accompanies winter.
Happiness also responds to fragrances. If we want to feel more cheerful then we need to stop and smell the roses – literally. Researchers have discovered that the smells put forth from flowers have positive influences on our emotions. Studies have found, too, that perfumes can have a prosocial effect and make folks more altruistic.
Music can also elevate our happiness. Upbeat music equals an upbeat mindset? According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology, those of us who listen to rousing music are better able to put ourselves into a positive mood. So, there is room in our lives for a little ZZ Top and John Philip Sousa.
Happiness grows as we grow older. It may be time to forget everything we thought we knew about happiness and youth. The results from a 2013 Harris Poll revealed that life satisfaction is higher for older adults than young adults. Almost 50 percent of Americans over the age of 65 are very happy, as compared to only 31 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 24.
Giving to others can give us a happiness boost. Whether it is through philanthropy or simply small acts of kindness, altruism makes us feel good. One study even suggests that the happiness gleaned from volunteering can increase our longevity.
Joy is contagious. Connecting ourselves to happy people will makes us happier too, according to a study published across the pond, the British Medical Journal. The research discovered that if a close friend is happy, it increases the likelihood that we will feel happy, by 15 percent. Even being near people who we don’t know very well will increase our chance for joy by six percent. On the other hand, being too near ex-spouses can have just the opposite effect, especially if they are armed or have a new attorney.
According to a study published in the Personality and Psychology Bulletin, reflecting on the past can make us look forward to the future. Researchers discovered that past memories help maintain feelings of self-worth and promote optimism for the future. Allowing ourselves to feel nostalgic will also result in our feeling less lonely.
Happy people prefer deep conversation. Cheerful folks are social butterflies – but only if we forgo the trivial small talk. University of Arizona researchers discovered that a spike in happiness occurred during social intercourse when people were engaged in more substantive conversations. Of course, if the conversation was with tea party types, it is highly like that the only spike that occurs is a spike through the heart of moderate Republicans, if such a beast still exists.
My recent convalescence allowed me to delve more fully into the characteristics of happy people. Should this particular column prove to be well received then this subject will continue to be explored in next week’s column. Meanwhile, I wish all my readers (and non-readers, too) to have abundant happiness and everlasting joy.
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