What makes us happy? Tips for being happy

Success, wealth, independence. These are three keywords that young adults often mention when they are asked about their life goals. In addition, more and more people “just want to be happy” – in the middle of this fast-paced, complex world. But what really makes us happy? And can you help your own happiness? We have looked into this exciting topic and give you tips on how to be happy.

Long-term study brings new insights

There are many studies on the subject of happiness, but few long-term studies. That's why we don't want to withhold from you the interesting results of an unprecedented research project right from the start. This was started in 1938 at Harvard University in Cambridge in the USA - with the aim of exploring the foundations of human well-being. For this purpose, the lives of over 2,000 people were examined for over 80 years. The previous results have now been made available to the general public in 2023 in the book “The Good Life” by the two driving forces of the study. The duo consists of the psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, Zen priest and professor of psychiatry, Robert Waldinger, and his partner, the psychologist Marcus Schulz. We have summarized the most important things:

Happiness is complex:A happy life does not depend on a single factor - rather, a whole arsenal of framework conditions must be right. These include, above all, the socio-economic situation, social participation and recognition, health or relationships.

Happiness is individual: However, exactly how this conglomerate of happiness factors is composed varies greatly from person to person. While some people love being able to travel, others are completely absorbed in being a mother. Others need creative activities or sporting events to shine within.

Happiness is social: And yet one factor continues to emerge as a basic ingredient for happiness: good relationships. This doesn't necessarily just mean couple relationships, but also friendships, family structures, colleagues, neighbors and chance encounters. So the bottom line is: happy relationships make us healthier and happier. And this is even medically proven, because people who are more isolated have higher stress hormones and worse blood values.

Happiness is contrary: This finding is interesting because this aspect clearly contradicts widespread ideas about what constitutes a happy life. So it's not about professional success, wealth or fitness, but rather good relationships that are characterized by appreciation and mutual support.

Happiness is now: In our society, happiness is often viewed as something that people work towards, a final goal. And once the obstacles have finally been overcome, one tries as best as possible to remain in this state until the end of one's life. But happiness is not a constant, but a fickle companion that can change. And so your personal formula for happiness sometimes changes depending on the stage in your life. Hanging on to the old or just focusing on an ideal state that can never be fully achieved is counterproductive and makes you unhappy in the long run.

Happiness is a plant: And this fickle companion called happiness needs to be cherished and cared for. Whether you say a kind word to a stranger on the street, help your neighbor with her shopping, or go on a trip with people you often take for granted, there are many ways to encourage your social life to grow.

It's never too late for happiness: Our tips for being happy

How well we invest in our own happiness and how happy our relationships are, of course, also depends on the external environment and earliest experiences. But the study also illustrates that it is never too late to give your own life a happy turn. Try it out with our tips for being happy:

Maintain relationships: We start with the relationships in question - so spending a lot of time with family and friends is key. And here, as with so many things, quality counts more than quantity. Write a nice message to your best friend or meet up with an old friend for dinner.

Get enough sleep: It sounds banal, but getting enough sleep ensures that more positive thoughts can spread. The hippocampus, the memory center, is responsible for good and neutral memories. And he suffers from too little sleep.

Enjoy fresh air: Just 20 minutes in the fresh air not only improves your mood, but also your working memory. Researchers have found that there is even an ideal weather: 14 degrees and sunshine. There are also studies that show that depressed people who exercise regularly are less likely to slip back into depression after six months than those who only received medication.

Create breaks: Our world is a merry-go-round that often spins far too quickly. It is therefore essential to get out regularly and take breaks. A cozy retreat is essential for this. And our CHICO hammocks and hammock chairs can help you with that. They create the ideal scenario for comfortably reading a book, listening to your favorite playlist or practicing doing nothing.

Help others: Do good and benefit from it yourself – that’s the motto. Those who support others not only experience gratitude, but also feel better themselves. According to studies, the magic number is: two hours per week helps. That makes you happiest.

To be thankful: According to studies, gratitude drives away depressive symptoms and increases well-being and satisfaction. Get a gratitude journal and write down a handful of things you are grateful for every evening.

Find inner peace: And the best way to do that is with meditation. It has been proven to improve concentration and ensure relaxation, because in people who practice it regularly, the areas of the brain that deal with stress processing decrease.