With the rapid growth in gas and food prices, the large amount of foreclosures, and disasters over the nation such as flood, fires, and tornadoes, it may be difficult for many population to even think of happiness. But, regardless of their circumstances, happiness is something that every person yearns for and wants. And as strange as it might seem, setbacks and disasters of the above type do not work on the happiness of all population in the same way. Some population are back to their usual happy routine only a few days after a serious setback, while others are gloomy and depressed for months after even a minor setback. Why? up-to-date study appears to give us an answer.
In the early 1990's David Lykken of the University of Minnesota decided to look at the examine of either we have any control over our happiness. He superior 4000 sets of twins, some identical, some fraternal, and looked into how they differed in happiness. The results of his study led him to the windup that almost 50-percent of our happiness is genetic (and therefore beyond our direct control), with the remaining 50-percent being mostly "learned" happiness.
On the basis of this, he recommend that each of us has a "happiness set point," and no matter what happens to us -- good or bad -- we are eventually drawn back to our set point. It's as if it has elastic bands that control us. We can, of course, feel categorically happy or categorically sad, but within a short time we're back to our set point. It's much like the "weight set point" that most population have. And there is now significant evidence to keep his idea. Some studies have shown that while lottery winners are ecstatic for weeks or even months after their windfall, they are eventually drawn back to their old set point. This also applies to population who have undergone serious illnesses or other problems. They may be in shock for the first few weeks, but most soon recover and are back at their previous set points within a short time.
Does this mean we are forever little by our set point, and that we have no occasion of changing it -- particularly, of raising it? The rejoinder is no. And it's easy to see why if we look at the 50-percent of our happiness that does not depend on our genes. study has shown that about ten-percent of it is a succeed of life's circumstances, namely, our wealth, public status, education, marital status and job security. But this leaves 40-percent, and it is controlled by our thoughts, feelings and actions. And we do have control over this part; we can, in fact, use it to readjust our set point.
So how do we raise it? The best way is to integrate on the three major components of happiness, namely:
1. Getting more pleasure out of life.
2. Looking ways to make our life more meaningful.
3. Becoming more engaged in what we do.
A list of the things that can help you achieve these (and in the process, raise you set point) is as follows:
1. Believe in yourself. Each morning when you get up give yourself a little pep-talk -- tell yourself that you're going to be happy that day, and firmly believe it.
2. Act happy. In particular, smile , and talk as if you are happy.
3. Enjoy your work. Even better, "love" your work, and your hobbies.
4. Practise acts of kindness. They should be both random and planned. Being kind to others makes us feel good, and it boosts our happiness.
5. Count your blessing. Think of all the good things that have happened to you, and the good luck that has come your way. Make a list of them in a diary as frequently as possible.
6. Savor life's joys. Take time to enjoy the little things.
7. Learn to forgive. Are you harboring any grudges? Get rid of them.
8. raise friendships.
9. Take control of your time. Set goals, and make sure you succeed straight through and achieve them.
10. Take care of your body. Make sure you get enough sleep and exercise.
11. Learn to control stress.
12. Forget about accumulating large sums of money. It won't buy you happiness.
