Happiness Research
About.com blog: Stress Management
By Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
Here Are Some Happiness Research Results You Should Know About
Kindness Is Contagious
When people see others doing something kind, they're more likely to give as well, which can lead to other great benefits for the givers. And just think: if we were all a little more kind, how much less stress would there be in the world? Read more about how kindness is contagious.
Weekends Really Are Good For Us
Workers, even those with interesting, high status jobs, really are happier on the weekend. How might this knowledge help you relieve stress during the week? Read more about the research, and about getting more 'weekend' in your week.
Winning The Lottery Won't Keep You Happy
That's right, winning the lottery may make you happy in the beginning, but that happiness dissipates pretty quickly; lots of money doesn't create lasting happiness (or, for that matter, lasting relief of stress). Find out what does.
Positive Affirmations Work--And Don't
There's a trick to using positive affirmations; they need to fit certain criteria to be effective. Be sure you're not wasting time and energy on repeating positive-sounding phrases to yourself that actually backfire and make you feel mroe stressed! Read the research on positive affirmations.
Happiness Involves Having What You Want...
and wanting what you have! That's right, researchers found that people are happy when they get what they want(not surprisingly) and when they appreciate what they already have. How can you use this information in your life to promote contentment and relieve stress? Read more about this gratitude-happiness research.
Botox May Soften Emotions As Well As Wrinkles
Researchers found that those who have been injected with Botox to mute expression lines may feel decreased emotional responses as well. This may bring insight into how we can relieve stress, even if we're not botox users. Read on to find out why.
Feeling 'In Control' Doesn't Just Make You Happier...
it makes you healthier as well! Researchers linked locus of control with more positive health outcomes. Learn more about what this can mean for you.
Depressed People Do Eat More Chocolate
Researchers found that those who are depressed consume a greater amount of chocolate than those who don't. How can this impact you? Learn more about the research, and about chocolate and depression.
Friends and Sleep Are Good For Us
Researchers found that getting more sleep and having more social support in your life were both good for your health. Interestingly, they can both help you feel less stressed as well. Read on for more on the research and for stress and sleep resources.
Happy People Are Resilient People
Those who seed their life with frequent moments of positive emotions increase their resilience against challenges. It's also a great way to relive stress and enjoy life more. Learn more about happiness, resilience, and 'the good life'.
Grateful People Sleep Better At Night
Those who journal about the things they appreciate before they go to sleep actually do have better sleep! What kind of gratitude journaling works best? Read more about gratitude and sleep, and find resources for both.
Better Posture Translates Into Greater Confidence
Researchers found that those who purposely sat up straighter in their chairs tended to have a greater belief in their own abilities. (And as we saw earlier, greater confidence and belief in your ability to have control in your life can relive stress!) Learn more about posture and self-belief.
You Can Talk Yourself Out Of Feeling Stressed
That's right--simply reading certain words can help you feel more serene and less stressed. Read on to see what they are!
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
Laughter, or even the anticipation of a good laugh, can actually lower your stress hormones significantly! Looking to get more laughter (and less stress) into your life? Hear more about laughter and stress.
Positive Emotions Can Lead To A Better and More Satisfying Life
Being sure you have a dose of positive emotion every day can do more than make you feel good for a few minutes. Regular positive emotions can carry far-reaching benefits for many areas of your life, so focusing on the positive and enjoying things that get you into a good mood can be especially beneficial. Read more about the far-reaching benefits of positive emotions, and find ways to get more of those good feelings in your life.
About.com blog: Stress Management
By Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
Here Are Some Happiness Research Results You Should Know About
With the relatively new field of positive psychology growing in new and exciting directions, we have a wealth of new happiness research coming in, explaining (of course) what makes people happy, as well as what makes life worth living and what can combat stress by promoting its opposite: serenity. Below are some of the more interesting new findings in happiness research. While each study alone may not be definitive--each study is a small piece of a larger picture, and it's always good to have research replicated by more than one researcher--these studies on happiness do provide useful information on what promotes happiness, health, serenity and meaning in life. Each is linked to further information about the study, as well as more information and resources related to the findings. You'll also find opportunities to comment and add your own thoughts on the happiness research. Read on, and find tools to build a happier you!
Kindness Is Contagious
When people see others doing something kind, they're more likely to give as well, which can lead to other great benefits for the givers. And just think: if we were all a little more kind, how much less stress would there be in the world? Read more about how kindness is contagious.
Weekends Really Are Good For Us
Workers, even those with interesting, high status jobs, really are happier on the weekend. How might this knowledge help you relieve stress during the week? Read more about the research, and about getting more 'weekend' in your week.
Winning The Lottery Won't Keep You Happy
That's right, winning the lottery may make you happy in the beginning, but that happiness dissipates pretty quickly; lots of money doesn't create lasting happiness (or, for that matter, lasting relief of stress). Find out what does.
Positive Affirmations Work--And Don't
There's a trick to using positive affirmations; they need to fit certain criteria to be effective. Be sure you're not wasting time and energy on repeating positive-sounding phrases to yourself that actually backfire and make you feel mroe stressed! Read the research on positive affirmations.
Happiness Involves Having What You Want...
and wanting what you have! That's right, researchers found that people are happy when they get what they want(not surprisingly) and when they appreciate what they already have. How can you use this information in your life to promote contentment and relieve stress? Read more about this gratitude-happiness research.
Botox May Soften Emotions As Well As Wrinkles
Researchers found that those who have been injected with Botox to mute expression lines may feel decreased emotional responses as well. This may bring insight into how we can relieve stress, even if we're not botox users. Read on to find out why.
Feeling 'In Control' Doesn't Just Make You Happier...
it makes you healthier as well! Researchers linked locus of control with more positive health outcomes. Learn more about what this can mean for you.
Depressed People Do Eat More Chocolate
Researchers found that those who are depressed consume a greater amount of chocolate than those who don't. How can this impact you? Learn more about the research, and about chocolate and depression.
Friends and Sleep Are Good For Us
Researchers found that getting more sleep and having more social support in your life were both good for your health. Interestingly, they can both help you feel less stressed as well. Read on for more on the research and for stress and sleep resources.
Happy People Are Resilient People
Those who seed their life with frequent moments of positive emotions increase their resilience against challenges. It's also a great way to relive stress and enjoy life more. Learn more about happiness, resilience, and 'the good life'.
Grateful People Sleep Better At Night
Those who journal about the things they appreciate before they go to sleep actually do have better sleep! What kind of gratitude journaling works best? Read more about gratitude and sleep, and find resources for both.
Better Posture Translates Into Greater Confidence
Researchers found that those who purposely sat up straighter in their chairs tended to have a greater belief in their own abilities. (And as we saw earlier, greater confidence and belief in your ability to have control in your life can relive stress!) Learn more about posture and self-belief.
You Can Talk Yourself Out Of Feeling Stressed
That's right--simply reading certain words can help you feel more serene and less stressed. Read on to see what they are!
Laughter Is The Best Medicine
Laughter, or even the anticipation of a good laugh, can actually lower your stress hormones significantly! Looking to get more laughter (and less stress) into your life? Hear more about laughter and stress.
Positive Emotions Can Lead To A Better and More Satisfying Life
Being sure you have a dose of positive emotion every day can do more than make you feel good for a few minutes. Regular positive emotions can carry far-reaching benefits for many areas of your life, so focusing on the positive and enjoying things that get you into a good mood can be especially beneficial. Read more about the far-reaching benefits of positive emotions, and find ways to get more of those good feelings in your life.
