How elusive happiness seems. Or how easy, because if you think about it, a coffee with your best friend can be the most absolute happiness. or a impromptu trip to Lisbon. Or a date with you crush. But maybe these are moments of happiness and not a happy life.
To achieve a happy life we can ask for help from experts. In this case, Harvard University is the one that has given us the key to being happy in new habits that are not unattainable and that since we are good people, we are going to tell you about it.
The habits you need to be happy according to Harvard
According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development that began in the 1930s, there are certain habits that will make us live healthier and happier as adults. And surprise, none of them has to do with working more, why not? money does not give happiness.
think about your relationships
The first habit is analyze your relationships, identify the most important and that bring you more good moments, and try not to lose them. Cultivating meaningful relationships is never a bad idea.
All relationships matter, even the smallest ones.
The second habit is work up casual relationships. And by casual we mean your neighbor, that friend of a friend you met and liked, or your yoga teacher. Any small relationship can grow, and leaving that possibility open is a habit that will allow us to meet more people and perhaps more friends in the future.
talk whenever you can
Time is often to blame for our infidelity. Rather the lack of time. Reserve some of this for have conversations with your parents, your sister, your friend or the supermarket cashier in your neighborhood, it is a habit that Harvard also recommends to be happy.
be kind and kind
It costs absolutely nothing to look someone in the eye and wish them good morning with a smile. Not one of those Mr. Wonderful mantras, but more of a quid pro quo. Being kind and good people will not only brighten your day, but also everyone around you..
Learn to ask for forgiveness
Iria Reguera, psychologist and editor-in-chief of Trendencias, told us that “not forgiving keeps us in the situation of suffering that ties us to the person who has harmed us” and in the same way, learn to ask for forgiveness when necessary it will alleviate our suffering and that of the person we have hurt, as well as help us maintain those meaningful relationships we were talking about.
ask everything
Asking and asking for explanations of what we do not understand and what surrounds us helps keep the brain activeand that habit is another of those that Harvard considers essential if we want to be happy.
Be generous and volunteer
Generosity and happiness often go hand in hand, and carry out volunteer actions is a way to achieve it. This scientific study by Canadian social psychologist Elizabeth Dunn at the University of British Columbia, showed that participants felt happier buying something for someone else than for themselves. In addition, studies such as that of the Simon Frasser University of Canada showed that being generous with others contributes directly to our well-being by lowering cortisol in the blood. Less stress, more happiness.
show us vulnerable
Vulnerability is a tool that allows us to show ourselves as we are and makes those around us come closer and see us, with the good and the bad. Allow ourselves to have a bad day or be sad in front of others show ourselves vulnerable and not repress our negative emotions, but learn to manage themis a way to achieve it.
express our love
We don’t just talk about saying I love you to our partner. express love It can be giving a friend a hug, kissing our family or telling them how important they are to us.
Photos | D. Jonez, Artem Beliaikin, Thought Catalog and austin kehmeier in Unsplash
In Jared | The 101 best questions to meet someone