1. List three things you are grateful for...
--Psychologist Sonia Lyubomirsky from the University of California, has found 'counting your blessings' once a week significantly increases people's satisfaction with life.
2. Do something that gives you a sense of achievement...
--According to the Australian Unity Wellness Index, feeling that you have achieved something useful provides a sense of contentment and drive.
3. Watch a funny movie...
--Laughing has been proven to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing.
4. Have some down time...
--Studies have shown that 15 minutes of meditation a day improves wellbeing and the immune system.
5. Smile...
--Even if you don't feel like it, your body will automatically respond with a dose of feel-good hormones.
6. Get in the flow...
--Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the world's leading researcher on positive psychology, has found being intensely absorbed in a task leads to 'optimal functioning'.
7. Perform a random act of kindness...
--Put money in someone's parking meter, mow a neighbour's lawn or volunteer for a charity. The Dalai Lama says, "If you want others to be happy, practise compassion; if you want to be happy, practise compassion."
8. Visit an old teacher or write to your grandparents...
--Positive psychologist Martin Seligman says people who thank a mentor are still happier a month later.
9. Have sex...
A survey of 900 women in Texas reported it was their happiest activity.
10. Tie the knot...
--Marriage is not only a factor in happiness. Research suggests it adds seven years to a man's life and four to a woman's.
Want to know how happy you are? (Well, quantitatively...)
www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu
--From Vital Health, National Pharmacies, FSMA House, vol. Spring 2008, pp. 18.
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I always believe that happiness and optimistism is the way to increase a person's lifespan and make the world around them better. HOWEVER, the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.
So, after all, an optimistist is a person who can react and reflect quickly into the brighter side of life after he/she encounters a downpour.
A Perfect life, is a life that you don't care TOO MUCH about.