Is It Possible To Become Lastingly Happier? | Psychology Today

Is It Possible To Become Lastingly Happier? Psychology Today

How of Happiness
The scientific pursuit of happiness.
by Sonja Lyubomirsky

April 27, 2008, Happiness
Is It Possible To Become Lastingly Happier?

Introducing The How of Happiness

Excerpts:

“To change one’s life, start immediately, do it flamboyantly,no exceptions.”– William James
Why are some people happier than others? What are the benefits (and costs) of happiness? And is it possible to become permanently happier?

These are some of the questions that I hope to address in my new blog – the very questions that I tackled in my recent book, The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want. My other goal is to comment on how research on emotions and well-being can inform our understanding of current events, as well as our own behavior.

I am an experimental social psychologist who has been doing research on happiness for almost 20 years. Along with my students and my collaborator Ken Sheldon, I have conducted the first experiments (called “randomized controlled experimental intervention studies”) that try to increase and maintain people’s happiness. In broadest terms, my research suggests that lasting happiness is attainable, if you are prepared to do the work. Much like with permanent weight loss and fitness, becoming lastingly happier demands making some permanent changes, requiring effort and commitment every day of your life.


Today, I hope to stir your interest in the topic by describing some of the happiness-increasing strategies that researchers have studied and concluded to be most successful. This list won’t make any of you spill your evening tea, but take note that all the strategies have been supported by empirical research. (They are discussed in a lot more detail in The How of Happiness.) Also, as I argue in the book, you do not need to attempt the entire list of happiness activities, but should choose to focus only on the 1 to 4 strategies that “fit” you best – the ones that seem most natural and enjoyable to you.

- Counting Your Blessings
- Practicing Acts of Kindness
- Nurturing Optimism
- Learning to Forgive
- Increasing “Flow” Experiences
- Investing in Relationships
- Avoiding Overthinking
- Savoring Life’s Joys
- Taking Care of Your Soul
- Committing to Your Goals
- Using Your Body: Exercise, Meditation, Smiling, and Rest

Read full article: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-happiness/200804/is-it-possible-become-lastingly-happier


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http://dreamlearndobecome.blogspot.com This posting was made my Jim Jacobs, President & CEO of Jacobs Executive Advisors. Jim also serves as Leader of Jacobs Advisors' Insurance Practice.