Who says the road to happiness is lined with megabucks and designer handbags? Research suggests, it’s not a fancy lifestyle that makes people happy. “Rather, any effortless pleasure or thing that strengthens social bonds or gives you a positive sense of control has measurable mental benefits,” says Leaf Van Boven, associate professor of psychology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Experts say it’s often the little (and usually free) things that lead to true happiness – like these bliss boosters.
Flower Power
A cheap sunflower stem for your desk gives a bunch of benefits in one. It has associations with the sun and an almost human-looking face, and the color of its petals has been shown to evoke positive emotions. Plus, people with plants in their offices actually feel happier about their jobs, according to a study by HortScience.
Give A Pup A Massage
Just hanging out with an animal has been shown to reduce stress and lower your blood pressure. But if your dog is high-strung, you can both benefit from rubbing him down, starting from around his neck and moving down his spine in small circular movements. He’ll be relaxed and ready to unleash more of that unconditional love. Plus, you’ll get a boost from making another creature feel awesome.
Take The Long Way Home
Routines comfort humans, but ironically switching them up and making them more novel also creates positive emotions. Once a week, throw a curve into your commute by swinging by a park on the way home or taking a river road to enjoy the scenery.
Love Notes 101
Expressing yourself to your man or even a great friend can bring you a feeling of contentment, says financial adviser Brent Kessel, author of It’s Not About the Money. So here’s some tips on how to write the best note for that special person in your life:
- Know your subject. If the object of your affection loves a certain food, color, quote, or animal, write about that. Be specific.
- Avoid the words heart, soul, rose, forever, and die. All are over-used and make you seem unoriginal.
- Don’t rhyme.
- Illustrations are cool.
- Make them smile. Laughter is awesome.
Happy Eating
Who doesn’t love some grub? Follow these tips to get an even bigger mood boost from your meals.
- Choose a white plate. It’s clean palette accentuates the positive emotions you get from looking at a variety of hues and focuses your senses, making food taste better.
- Color code your meals. A rainbow of colors makes you happy, but red may trigger you to eat more, so add yellow corn, some peppers, purple eggplant, and a sprig of mint or parsley.
- Order first at a restaurant. After the first person goes, others tend to choose differently and wind up less satisfied with their pick, says Dan Ariely, PhD, author of Predictably Irrational.
Just Say No
The happiest people feel they have control over their time, says David G. Myers, author of The Pursuit Happiness. Say, “Sorry, I’m already booked” to a distant cousin’s shower or a nonessential work lunch.
Light A Scented Candle For No Reason
Stop saving your pretty pillar for entertaining and whatever else. Bur that thing to wick’s end, especially in a scent like lavender or green apple, which have proven to lift your mood.
Flake
Let that pile of laundry slide for a weekend, and rather, read a great book or take a walk in nature. If you can’t stand hanging out a home without guilt, apartment-sit for a friend. “Most of us are weird to do things to make ourselves happy, but just being in the moment creates joy,” says Kessel.
Find Your Perfect Hue
Painting a wall at home can have a mood-boosting effect, says psychologist Nancy J. Stone, PhD, who studies the impact of color. It’s thought that blue is calming (perfect for bedrooms) and green creates a relaxed feeling (great for living rooms). Yellow is said to be cheery – a great kitchen hue.
Eat Nostalgic Snacks
You sorta recall loving Fruit Roll-Ups or s’mores as a kid, but chances are it’s been a million years since you’ve had them. Let us reintroduce you to their selling points: 1. yum, and 2. the taste flashback brings up the sweet memories linked to these treats.
Go For A Run
Scientists have confirmed the existence of the endorphin-fueled runner’s high, so get out there and go till you hit your wall. Then ride the exercise buzz… and the sense of satisfaction, whether you made it one mile or ten.
