85 years of research into happiness

Four simple Ways to Make Yourself Really Happy in 10 Minutes.

An 85-year-long study reveals the secret to long-term happiness. Should you try it?

What makes you genuinely happy? There could be a wide range of answers ranging from closing a big sale or investment, reaching a mountain summit after an arduous hike, or eating a perfect ice cream cone on a hot summer day. But according to what may be the longest-running scientific study of happiness, the biggest determinant of genuine. long-term happiness isn’t wealth, or accomplishment, or even pleasure. It is socialising with others.

The research showed happiness can be gained by:

1. Planning an 8-minute phone call with a friend.

The eight-minute phone call plan solves two ongoing problems with conversations. The first is the assumption that the longer we talk, the closer we are. The second is that, as Harvard research has shown, most conversations go on too long–often longer than either party would prefer. So to set an eight-minute limit ahead of time.

2. Starting a conversation with a stranger.

Research has shown that starting a conversation with a stranger increases our happiness, even when we don’t expect that it will. Given that humans are profoundly social creatures and that we all thrive on connection, that shouldn’t really be as surprising as it is.

3. Getting to know someone at work.

Work friends are incredibly important–particularly in the high pressure. So choose someone at work you would like to get to know better. This could be an acquaintance who you’d like to turn into a friend, or someone you don’t know at all but would like to get to know.

4. Sending someone a thank you message.

it may be the most important. Take a few minutes to write a note to a friend, a loved one, a family member, or even someone who’s helped you in your career. It can be someone you see all the time, or someone you haven’t spoken to in years.

If you try these things and you are still struggling to find happiness, please contact kmrcounselling for an appointment to work out what your barriers to happiness are.

kmrcounselling.