There has been a shift in the thinking regarding happiness. For decades, we were led to believe that success leads to happiness. Due to breakthroughs in positive psychology, we now know that the opposite is true. Happiness leads to success in school, at work and in our relationships with others. There is no one definition of happiness—it's different for each person. Scientists define it as an experience of positive emotions including pleasure and a sense of purpose.
There are a number of ways we can improve our moods and raise our levels of happiness each day. Some of them include:
• Meditate. Studies have shown that monks who spend years meditating actually grow their left prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain most responsible for feeling happy.
• Find something to look forward to. Often the most enjoyable part of an activity is the anticipation. This can raise your endorphin levels. When endorphins are released, they help alleviate anxiety and depression and also diminish our perception of pain.
• Commit conscious acts of kindness. Make a point of doing five acts of kindness to friends, strangers or both. They do not have to be anything excessive, small things count.
• Infuse positivity into your surroundings. We may not control our environments, but we can make positive impacts. We can go outside on our breaks or keep a motivational statement on our desk. Also try watching less TV, especially negative media.
• Exercise. Exercise also releases endorphins. Exercise can boost our mood, reduce stress and improve our performance at school and work.
As you begin to add more happiness into your daily life, you'll not only start to feel better, but you'll also notice how positivity can make you more efficient at reading, studying and communicating. We all have the power to change our lives and accomplish great things.
Achor, S. (2010). The happiness advantage: The seven principles of positive psychology that fuel success and performance at work. New York: Broadway Books.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thai-nguyen/hacking-into-your-happy-c_b_6007660.html