Written by Kirstin Stokes Smith | The beginning of September has always been a difficult transition for me. I’m a summer gal at heart and while I love living in a city that experiences all four seasons, the beginning of autumn, with its shorter days and cooler nights, leaves me a little melancholy. As we move toward autumn I’ve decided to take a look at some of the things that inspire smiles, happiness, and general contentedness. The first item on my list is a good old fashioned fight.
Yes, you heard right.
1. Aggressive behavior stimulates the “happy” chemical.
According to Likes.com aggressive behavior acts as a trigger in our bodies, causing us to release dopamine, the “happy” chemical. You may also consider sex too; it stimulates the same release of dopamine without the need to apologize later.
2. 20 minutes of exercise each day can make you 10-20% happier.
Likes.com also points to exercise as a key element in gaining the upper hand on the blues. It reports that people who complete 20 minutes of exercise each day, three days a week for six months, can increase their overall happiness between 10 and 20%.
3. Giving, rather than getting, makes you happier.
Citing a study by Elizabeth Dunn, Lara Aknin, and Michael Norton, Business Insider says that the act of giving and spending money on others increases happiness. Dunn, Aknin and Norton’s perspective was that happiness hinged more on our daily activities than what we choose to do. So gift giving, rather than buying personal items like paying bills and buying toilet paper have a greater tendency to please us. That said, I just bought a giant toilet paper flat of 40 rolls and I’m thrilled – it’s like money in the bank!
4. Hugs make you happy.
Never underestimate the power of an honest hug. Kids who are hugged a lot by their parents have a greater tendency to become happy adults. I’ll bet they hug a lot too.
5. Conservatives are happier than liberals.
Conservative politicos report a greater degree of happiness than their liberal counterparts. Business Insider reports that the conservative ideology lends itself to overall greater satisfaction by creating a buffer against negative feelings associated with economic inequality. You decide if this is a good thing.
6. Video gamers are happier.
A recent study reported happier dreams in video gamers versus non-gamers. Apparently video games provide players with an opportunity to resolve problems, which can be quite satisfying and can promote peaceful sleep. According to Business Insider, happiness results when we take time to master a skill. They say that while there is short term stress and dissatisfaction associated with gaining competency, the long term result is increased satisfaction and happiness.
7. Eating (just the right amount of) red meat makes you happier.
An Australian study of 1,000 women reports that those who ate less than the recommended amount of red meat were twice as likely to experience depression. Before you embark on an all-steak diet though, be warned: the study also shows that those who ate more than the recommended daily amount of red meat were more likely to show signs of anxiety and depression.
8. Monogamy is bliss — even for men.
Citing Boston.com, Business Insider reports that monogamy influences happiness. Monogamous relationships and marriages are apparently the bedrock of happiness. Interestingly too, when we’re involved in open relationships it’s the men who report being the least satisfied.
9. Those who choose to be happy… are happy.
Perhaps most important – and least appreciated – is the fact that life is richer and fuller when we texture it with happy, sad, satisfying, and unsatisfying experiences. In other words, life shouldn’t be reduced to a pursuit of happiness. If we chase it, we risk always being just short of grasping it. Instead of seeing happiness as a far-off, abstract goal, realize that happiness can be found in the simplest of things. Walk your dog, hug your kids, or sneak a little ranch dressing into your salad tonight. Do what makes you happy today, not what you think will make you happy someday.