7 quick ways to get happy right now
Turn that frown upside down. No, really: research shows it works.
No theory here. No nightly exercises for months. You're feeling sad or angry.
How do you get happy fast?
Sex, exercise, socialize
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When researchers survey 5000 people from 83 countries, what do they learn about happiness?
We're happiest when we're having sex, exercising, or socializing.
Try smiling
Researchers asked people to do a bunch of different exercises to quickly increase happiness. What was most effective? Smiling.
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Downward comparisons
Research shows comparing yourself to others can make you feel better — but only if you compare yourself to those worse off than you:
Do your taxes
Complex cognitive tasks like doing math can alleviate a bad mood:
Take a nap
Studies show we can process negative thoughts quite well when we're exhausted — just not the happy ones. So get your rest.
Let's review
So, again, the seven are:
- Sex
- Exercise
- Socialize
- Smile
- Downward comparisons
- Do your taxes
- Nap
(I'm not recommending you try them all at the same time… but if you do, I want to hear about it.)
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