6: Go with the flow
Some joyful moments seem to call for conscious reflection and dissection. At other times, we savor experiences best when we simply immerse ourselves in the present moment, without deliberate analysis or judgment.
Listen to your favorite music with headphones in a dark room. Lose yourself in a novel you just can't put down. Set aside enough time at least once a week for your favorite hobby so you can attain a level of absorption known as the "flow" state.
7: Get a move on
"Exercise sparks the release of feel-good endorphins, but it also satisfies something more profound: the human need to perform and excel. Exercise helps you feel like the captain of your own ship," explains Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, the author of The How of Happiness.
Although any fitness activity you enjoy is good, you'll enhance its benefits even more by taking it outdoors. A review of 11 studies published in Environmental Science & Technology found that people who exercised outside felt more energetic and were more inclined to keep at it. This is good news, because the rewards of physical activity are cumulative: The more you exercise, the clearer your mind. So as you're figuring out your holiday calendar, schedule an ice-skating outing or a cross-country ski day. You'll feel more energized and ready to tackle your errands.
8: Tap into your spiritual side
The more frequently that people attend religious services, the more content they are, according to a study in the Journal of Economic Psychology. Faith and prayer, regardless of religion, satisfy a basic need to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.
If prayer isn't for you, try meditation or a restorative yoga class instead. New research shows that spiritual practices, such as regular mindfulness exercises, can actually change brain structure in a way that promotes a sense of well-being. So as a part of your day, set aside some time for prayer or meditation. It'll lift your spirit—literally.
9: Pucker up
Kissing is romantic, but it gives more than your sex life a lift. While male saliva contains testosterone, and a lingering lip lock turns out to be a reliable delivery system, smooching also floods the bloodstream with dopamine, which stimulates the same part of the brain as cocaine, for a natural high.
And if you need yet another reason to plant one on your beloved, smooch for heart health: Research shows that regular kissing reduces cholesterol in men and women alike.
10: Sing in the shower
The shower, with its cocoon of privacy and superlative acoustics, brings out the diva in us all. And we would be wise to let her take the steamy stage and croon away. Music therapists believe that singing boosts your mood. Bonus: singing also enhances immunity by increasing antibodies that fight sickness, according to one German study. So whether your style is Adele or Britney Spears, belt your heart out and soak in singing's mood and health benefits.
See More BACK
Some joyful moments seem to call for conscious reflection and dissection. At other times, we savor experiences best when we simply immerse ourselves in the present moment, without deliberate analysis or judgment.
Listen to your favorite music with headphones in a dark room. Lose yourself in a novel you just can't put down. Set aside enough time at least once a week for your favorite hobby so you can attain a level of absorption known as the "flow" state.
7: Get a move on
"Exercise sparks the release of feel-good endorphins, but it also satisfies something more profound: the human need to perform and excel. Exercise helps you feel like the captain of your own ship," explains Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, the author of The How of Happiness.
Although any fitness activity you enjoy is good, you'll enhance its benefits even more by taking it outdoors. A review of 11 studies published in Environmental Science & Technology found that people who exercised outside felt more energetic and were more inclined to keep at it. This is good news, because the rewards of physical activity are cumulative: The more you exercise, the clearer your mind. So as you're figuring out your holiday calendar, schedule an ice-skating outing or a cross-country ski day. You'll feel more energized and ready to tackle your errands.
8: Tap into your spiritual side
The more frequently that people attend religious services, the more content they are, according to a study in the Journal of Economic Psychology. Faith and prayer, regardless of religion, satisfy a basic need to feel part of something bigger than ourselves.
If prayer isn't for you, try meditation or a restorative yoga class instead. New research shows that spiritual practices, such as regular mindfulness exercises, can actually change brain structure in a way that promotes a sense of well-being. So as a part of your day, set aside some time for prayer or meditation. It'll lift your spirit—literally.
9: Pucker up
Kissing is romantic, but it gives more than your sex life a lift. While male saliva contains testosterone, and a lingering lip lock turns out to be a reliable delivery system, smooching also floods the bloodstream with dopamine, which stimulates the same part of the brain as cocaine, for a natural high.
And if you need yet another reason to plant one on your beloved, smooch for heart health: Research shows that regular kissing reduces cholesterol in men and women alike.
10: Sing in the shower
The shower, with its cocoon of privacy and superlative acoustics, brings out the diva in us all. And we would be wise to let her take the steamy stage and croon away. Music therapists believe that singing boosts your mood. Bonus: singing also enhances immunity by increasing antibodies that fight sickness, according to one German study. So whether your style is Adele or Britney Spears, belt your heart out and soak in singing's mood and health benefits.
See More BACK
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