8 Things Happy People Can Teach Us

happiness_by_miroku251-d4tf7v9The first line of Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina famously states that “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

Could a similar statement also apply to individuals? In other words – are happy people somehow all alike? Dr. David Myers has indeed discovered that those who tend to be happy have several things in common. While happiness is undoubtedly a fleeting thing, it seems that having these eight characteristics might help you feel and cherish those precious happy moments.

So, what are happy people like?

1) Optimistic. This seems obvious – those who expect good things to happen keep their focus on the good moments. Because of this, even if an optimist’s day is equally filled with good and bad things, he is more likely to perceive that day as a happy one. Do you tend to be optimistic?

2) Creative. Having an active mind, pursuing your interests and finding new ways to approach familiar things and situations adds a certain spark that often increases one’s enjoyment in life.

3) Extroverted. Surveys show that those who tend to be more sociable and extroverted also tend to be happier. Are you an extrovert?

4) They have close relationships. Forming close relationships full of trust and love brings emotional fulfilment and helps to keep loneliness away.

5) They feel a sense of personal control. Being in control of one’s life makes it easier to deal with everyday stress. Take charge and fight against your helplessness whenever you can! If you are looking for that spark of happiness from things you are not in control of like slot machines, maybe reading about the psychology behind it will open your eyes (a quite interesting article can be found here).

6) They live balanced lives. Dedicating your life to only one area of life might leave you with a nagging feeling of imbalance. Being productive and still finding time for relaxation is the winning combination.

7) They have a spiritual foundation. Research shows that spirituality adds vitality and meaning to life, resulting in higher levels of happiness.

8) They like themselves. Happy people feel good in their own skin. This is perhaps a key quality you will need to truly feel happy! Think about your greatest qualities, remember why it is simply good to be you, and happiness will find you on its own.