Whether it's your doorman or best friend, getting a hug can make you feel instantly happy. Multiple studies have shown physical touch releases oxytocin in the body, which can improve your mood.
Simple activities like watching sports with a friend, having a soak in the bath, or meeting up with friends for coffee can all improve your day. Doing something you're good at, such as cooking or dancing, is a good way to enjoy yourself and have a sense of achievement.
Genuinely happy people don't stress or worry over what others think about them. Instead, they concentrate on what they think of themselves based on who they are and how they behave. This is primarily about being able to look yourself in the mirror and feel good about the person you see.
What Is the Number One Predictor of Happiness? The Harvard study, having spanned over 80 years and multiple generations, clearly recognizes good relationships as the most significant predictor of overall happiness, life satisfaction, and wellbeing (Waldinger & Schulz, 2023).
The Big Four Happiness Factors. Researchers have explored populations around the globe and it turns out that the four qualities that bring satisfaction and peace are pretty similar no matter where your McMansion or Tiny House is built. The Big Four are friendliness, cheerfulness, compassion, and gratitude.
Study director Dr. Waldinger says positive relationships keep us happier, healthier and help us live longer. It boils down to something researchers call social fitness, being close to others is what keeps people happy throughout their lives. And they say it's never too late to find that happiness.
Perhaps the most consistent body language channel of love, however, is touch. Couples in love engage in “tie signs”—holding hands, arms around the shoulders, or touching knees when seated. A subtle touch can create sexual arousal or simply provide reassurance, that “I'm here for you.”
Some portions of the face and facial expressions may be more consistently associated with the experience of pain. For example, furrowing of the brow, narrowing of the eyes, raising the upper lip, and a stretched, open mouth are nonverbal cues that are commonly, but not always, associated with the face of pain.
So which zodiac signs are happiest? Sagittarius and Gemini are the happiest signs. Both have a great sense of humor and enjoy being around people, which helps them find joy in shared moments. They love to explore and try new things, which gives them an appreciation for life's pleasures.
