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How to be more cheerful? Science responds

How to be more cheerful? Science responds

March 7, 2024

Joy is one of the most valued positive emotions . Who does not like to surround themselves with optimistic people who live life with joy? Although they say that joy is contagious, it has a lot to do with the habits a person has and their way of thinking.

  • Related article: "People who transmit positive energy share these 9 traits"

How to be more cheerful, according to science

Both happiness and joy have been the subject of scientific study on multiple occasions since they arouse much interest not only among psychologists, sociologists or doctors, but in any human being.

In this article you can find a series of tips or keys that will allow you to generate a positive attitude to help you change the perspective of your life. We show them below.


1. Work on what you like and close to home

Work is a very important aspect of our well-being, because we spend many hours of the day in the company where we work. In fact, it is a fundamental pillar of professional development of a human being, and something that can make us really happy if we work on what we really want . Finding what motivates you and fighting for it keeps us happy and encouraged.

Being well at work affects our daily lives, and it is important that there is a good balance between work and family life. In addition, a study carried out by Yeo Valley, found that people who live near their work are much happier than those who spend more than 20 minutes to get to the company.


2. Become an emotionally intelligent person

Research suggests that emotionally intelligent people are much happier and happier and enjoy greater well-being and self-esteem. Well, they are individuals who know themselves well, regulate their emotions and adapt them to the context in which they find themselves , they dominate social skills that allow them to create healthy affective bonds and have a greater capacity for self-motivation.

In addition, these types of people accept their emotions as they are, and better overcome the difficult situations that life can present. The good thing about this is that emotional intelligence can be learned, and that is why there are many courses or workshops that help individuals improve their well-being. In the article "The 6 best courses of Emotional Intelligence and Personal Development" you can find a selection with the most useful training to acquire the emotional and relational management skills necessary to improve your level of joy.


3. Go outside

Going out on the street brings many health benefits, especially if we take advantage of it to walk. You can check it in the article "The psychological benefits of walking".

Going outside is very good to clear the mind and breathe fresh air. Studies suggest that sunlight makes us more cheerful, because it stimulates the production of vitamin D which in turn increases the performance of the enzyme responsible for converting tryptophan serotonin. Serotonin is known as the happiness hormone .

  • To learn more: "Serotonin: discover the effects of this hormone on your body and mind"

5. Surround yourself with people with optimism and positive mentality

Friends are one of the keys to happiness, and surround yourself with positive people as well. Who does not like to have good times in good company? A study conducted by BMJ Group, states that surround yourself with happy people get contagious , because you end up breathing the same enthusiastic and positive air. In addition, we all like to surround ourselves with cheerful people with a good sense of humor.

6. Get physical exercise

Affirming that physical exercise is beneficial to our health is nothing new. But in addition to the benefits that physical activity can have on our body or our body aesthetics, it also helps us to be happier .

The reason for this is that when we exercise, we release neurochemicals such as serotonin or endorphins, which help us feel more relaxed and improve our mood and our perception of life.

7. Live the present

Being in the here and now, without future worries and unreal expectations makes us happier. In fact, there are many forms of psychological therapy that seek that patients focus on the here and now and connect with themselves, leaving anticipatory anxiety behind. Cognitive therapy based on Mindfulness is an example.

Although it seems simple, learning to live in the present is not easy. In the article "How to live in the present moment, in 7 psychological keys" we give you some tips so you can achieve it.

8. Listen to music

Music has a great effect on our emotions and our motivation and, in general, on our mind and our behavior. In this sense, there are many studies that have tried to find out more about the effect that music has on us.

On the one hand, an investigation by Saarikallio and Erkkila in 2008, found that studying music can make us more cheerful by affecting our mood and mood . Also, another investigation, this time carried out by Lonsdale and North (2010) proved that music helps us to manage and control negative emotional states.

9. Spend more time with your loved ones

Family and friends bring happiness to your life and make you more cheerful. According to a study that was published in the book The Longevity Project, people close to you, such as family and friends, are fundamental to living a long and happy life.

10. Travel

Traveling is enriching, but it also makes you more cheerful. But the scientific studies affirm that it is not the journey itself that makes us happier, but to plan it. This is what can be deduced from the results of an investigation by Dr. Jeroen Nalwun, a professor at the University of Breda (Holland). According to the researcher, "plan the holidays causes greater happiness and happiness due to the effect of anticipating good times They are waiting for us. "


The Problem with Over-Friendly People (March 2024).


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