Studies show that personal relationships, spirituality and feelings about oneself most directly influence well-being. Material goods don’t make us happier. Acquiring things like cars and houses only make us happy in the short term. Despite considerably more possessions, people end up no happier. Many people think if they had more money they could have more fun, but they don’t spend their time on the simple leisurely activities that they so covet. People rank spending time socializing with people they like and doing things they enjoy amongst the best moments in their daily life.
Pursue happiness by doing more of what you enjoy, notice life’s small pleasures, lose yourself in a creative hobby, art, music, or game. Invest time and energy into friendships and family and the happiness you gain can start a whole new chain of events in your life. Happiness doesn’t stem from success and good health, but it can lead to it.
Happy people are more successful as a consequence of their positive emotions and attitude. A positive attitude increases your ability and likelihood to work actively towards your goals and to build the resources you need to get there. Happiness can lead to behaviors that produce further success in work, relationships and health. When you’re happy you tend to feel confident, optimistic and energetic and that effects how we are perceived by others.
There is strong evidence that happy individuals are more likely to have a fulfilling marriage and relationships, higher incomes, superior work performance, robust health and even a long life. Take action towards the things that make you feel good.
"If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want." Elbert Hubbard