Happiness is one of the top values to Americans. It can be described as being in a state of any of the emotions from contentment to joy to bliss. Any positive emotion generally falls into the happiness category. While many people believe that happiness is hard to find and even harder to keep, it seems that once someone learns the secrets to their own happiness, life takes a pleasant turn from there on.

Despite everyone claiming to be looking for happiness, it seems that most have already found it. In a survey posted on www.nationmaster.com, 84% of Americans claimed to be either quite happy or very happy. Even with such a high percentage, America ranks only 13th in happy citizens. Iceland, Sweden, and Denmark take the top spots.

So what is it that makes people happy? It really depends on the individual. For the most part, family seems to be the constant. When people have a stable home life and spend time with the ones they love they consider themselves to be happier then those who are lacking in a close supportive family structure. This is consistent in both adults and in children.

The things that make teenagers happy are surprising to most adults. It’s not superficial, it’s not drugs, sex, or shopping. Instead the average teenagers top three are spending time with family, followed by spending time with friends, and spending time with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Most of the teenagers who admit to doing drugs or being sexually active tended to rate their happiness levels lower than the ones who did not. If you’d like your kids to be happy, spend time with them. Sure they’d like money or the car keys, but in the end, it’s the time you spend doing things they enjoy that is going to actually make the lasting contentment we want for our children.

Ways to be happier

♦ Learn something new. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as learning to do something you didn’t think was possible.

♦ Read a book. If you get out of your head for a while and forget about whatever problems are causing you stress, you’ll feel better in the long run.

♦ Go for A walk. This one works the opposite of reading. Instead of trying to take your mind off your problems, go out, get some fresh air and work your way through whatever it is until you think you’ve found a solution. Solving problems does have a way of making things look a little brighter.

♦ Bake cookies with your kids. It’ll make you both happy and you get a treat when they’re done.

♦ Play a game.

♦ Pay off debt. This one takes time and planning, but when you can put your signature on the check for the last payment on a debt it is like signing away a large part of the stress in your life.

♦ Make goals and meet them. Satisfaction of knowing you’re accomplishing what you set out to do does wonders for your frame of mind.

♦ Spend some time daydreaming. Daydreaming is a great way to figure out what will make you happy. See if there is anything you day dream about that you can make happen in real life.

♦ Catch up with an old friend. Friends are number 2 on the list of what makes people happy. They’d love to hear from you and you can have someone to lean on when you need someone to listen.

♦ Smile at a stranger. One smile can brighten someone’s day.

♦ Play with your kids. Nothing would mean more to them than to spend time with someone they love, regardless of age.

♦ Pet a puppy. Pets are wonderful for moods. It has been rumored that when you spend time with a pet, your stress levels decrease. Less stress means more happiness.

♦ Plan for things to go wrong. Not every day will be smooth, but if you have a back up plan and things go wrong, you may be able to heave a little sigh of relief knowing that you were prepared. Nothing like a plan that works to give a confidence and esteem boost when you need it the most.

♦ Follow your dreams. If your doing your best to make your dreams come true and following the path that you feel is your purpose in life, it’s hard not to be happy. Even the bad days are a pleasure when you’re doing something you love.

♦ Exercise. This one is mentioned a lot in happiness articles. If you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which act on the body like opiates. It makes you feel happier through natural chemistry. Along with exercise comes the post-exercise shower. Does anything really feel as good as that cool water when you’re hot?

♦ Enjoy the little things.

♦ Write yourself happy. If you have a journal, use it to write about the things that happen in your day to day life that made you feel loved and appreciated. When you’re feeling down, reread it. Knowing that even if they haven’t said it, your family shows their love for you in little ways every day. Whether it’s your husband complimenting the supper you made, your sister calling to ask for advice, your kid giving you a hug for no reason, the more little moments you collect, the more you will feel content with your life regardless of material possessions.

Not every day is going to be a picnic. You’ll have bad days. Happiness though isn’t some illusive thing that everyone is keeping a secret. It’s a combination of all the little moments of every positive emotion adding up, until one day you realize that you do enjoy your life and that it’s good to be you. It can sneak up on you if you’re not looking; you may notice a smile lingering on your lips when your not really paying attention. You may have a moment when you just have to hug your partner because you love them so much you’re going to burst. These little moments are sure signs that you’re happy. Take them, treasure them, remember them, notice them, and they will grow.

Sources:

Wikipedia. “Happiness” 22 June 2010. 27 June 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness>.

Associated Press. “Youths’ stuff of happiness may surprise parents” 2010. 27 June 2010 <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20322621/>.

DeeBr. “Emotional Wellness - The Endorphins and Serotonin Connection” 23 June 2010. 27 June 2010 <http://www.zimbio.com/Serotonin/articles/2/Emotional+Wellness+Endorphins+Serotonin+Connection>.

Nationmaster.com “American Lifestyle Statistics” 2010. 27 June 2010. <http://www.nationmaster.com/country/us-united-states/lif-lifestyle>