Behavioral scientists have spent a lot of time studying what makes us happy (and what doesn\u2019t). We know happiness can predict health and longevity, and happiness scales can be used to measure social progress and the success of public policies. But happiness isn\u2019t something that just happens to you. Everyone has the power to make small changes in our behavior, our surroundings and our relationships that can help set us on course for a happier life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Happiness often comes from within. Learn how to tame negative thoughts and approach every day with optimism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All humans have a tendency to be a bit more like Eeyore than Tigger, to ruminate more on bad experiences than positive ones. It\u2019s an evolutionary adaptation \u2014 over-learning from the dangerous or hurtful situations we encounter through life (bullying, trauma, betrayal) helps us avoid them in the future and react quickly in a crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But that means you have to work a little harder to train your brain to conquer negative thoughts. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t try to stop negative thoughts.<\/strong> Telling yourself \u201cI have to stop thinking about this,\u201d only makes you think about it more. Instead, own your worries. When you are in a negative cycle, acknowledge it. \u201cI\u2019m worrying about money.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m obsessing about problems at work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Treat yourself like a friend.<\/strong> When you are feeling negative about yourself, ask yourself what advice would you give a friend who was down on herself. Now try to apply that advice to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Challenge your negative thoughts<\/strong>. Socratic questioning is the process of challenging and changing irrational thoughts. Studies show that this method can reduce depression symptoms. The goal is to get you from a negative mindset (\u201cI\u2019m a failure.\u201d) to a more positive one (\u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of success in my career. This is just one setback that doesn\u2019t reflect on me. I can learn from it and be better.\u201d) Here are some examples of questions you can ask yourself to challenge negative thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The research is intended for use at the public policy level, but there are lessons to learn at the personal level as well. Find a sustaining and satisfying job; do your best to live in a happy place; surround yourself with social support; take care of your health; and be generous (in spirit, time and money) in order to pave your own personal road to happiness.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What factors make a community a place where people are happy? The Knight Foundation and Gallup interviewed 43,000 people in 26 communities to find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lesson is that where you live can have a profound effect on your happiness. If you don\u2019t fit in, if you don\u2019t know your neighbors, if walking outside doesn\u2019t put a spring in your step \u2014 find a new place to live if you can afford it. Explore new neighborhoods, rent before you buy, talk to friends, talk to potential neighborhoods and relocate your way to a happier life. The key, says Jay Walljasper, author of \u201cHow to Design Our World for Happiness,\u201d is to find a place where neighbors can encounter each other spontaneously. Look for neighborhoods with a green commons, sidewalks, parks, street festivals and community gatherings. If you\u2019re in the city, choose an apartment with a shared backyard or a street known for its Halloween festival or a community newsletter. Look for signs that the people there are connected and create opportunities to connect with each other on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Numerous studies support the notion that spending time in nature is good for you.<\/strong> We know that walking on quiet, tree-lined paths can result in meaningful improvements to mental health, and even physical changes to the brain. Nature walkers have \u201cquieter\u201d brains: scans show less blood flow to the part of the brain associated with rumination. Some research shows that even looking at pictures of nature can improve your mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sunlight also makes a difference. Seasonal affective disorder is real. Epidemiological studies estimate that its prevalence in the adult population ranges from 1.4 percent (Florida) to 9.7 percent (New Hampshire). Natural light exposure \u2014 by spending time outside or living in a space with natural light \u2014 is good for your mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By Tara Parker-Pope<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Behavioral scientists have spent a lot of time studying what makes us happy (and what doesn\u2019t). We know happiness can predict health and longevity, and happiness scales can be used to measure social progress and the success of public policies. But happiness isn\u2019t something that just happens to you. Everyone has the power to make<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4297,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[311],"tags":[509,338,533,551],"class_list":["post-4168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research-insights","tag-duvidha","tag-happiness","tag-mind","tag-mindset","enable-dropcap","disable-2-columns"],"yoast_head":"\nChoosing a Happy Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Spend Time in Nature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n