SECRET TO HAPPINESS
April 5th, 2010
This article caught my eye this weekend. Fox News Online reported that the pursuit of happiness is sometimes easier said than done, however, we can all do a few things to help increase our chances of being happy.
It has long been believed that happiness is largely determined by genetics, basically outside of our control. But recent research suggests people actually can take charge of their own happiness by following these 5 Steps.
According to psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California, Riverside, “Despite the finding that happiness is partially genetically determined, and despite the finding that life situations have a smaller influence on our happiness than we think they do, we argue that still a large portion of happiness is in our power to change.”
Lyubomirsky published her findings in the Journal of Clinical Psychology. Here are the five things that her research has shown can lead to more happiness:
1. Be grateful
2. Be optimistic
3. Count your blessings
4. Use your strengths
5. Carry out acts of kindness
It turns out that by helping others, we also help ourselves!