The Science of Happiness

Happiness is something that so many people seek, but not everyone is successful in finding it. We don't seem to really know what makes us happy.

However, a group of researchers have been looking at just that, and they have found that gratitude is a key player in our personal happiness. If we remember people to whom we feel grateful, and if we tell them how grateful we feel, we get a massive happiness boost (around 19%).

If they are not contactable, just writing down how grateful we are - for their words, their actions or being there - our happiness increases (around 4%).

A reminder for all of us to count our blessings, every day. Often. And to tell people when we are grateful. Often.

But wait: there's more. Consider those random acts of kindness from a giver's point of view as well. This is a Thai clip on paying it forward at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s22HX18wDY.

References:

• SoulPancake (11 July 2013). The Science of Happiness - An Experiment in Gratitude. Retrieved 01 October 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv6vTKD6lg#t=358
• TrueMove H (11 September 2013). Giving. Retrieved 01 October 2013 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s22HX18wDY

Sam