6 Tips to Be Happier According to Science – Vogue

An emotion, a decision, a transitional state, a feeling… Happiness can have different interpretations for humans and is a desire for many of us. In a society that glorifies productivity, the relentless pursuit of happiness seems like a distant goal. We are taught to set ambitious goals—make money, buy a house, get the job of your dreams—and pursue them in the hope that we will find happiness by getting there, but when we finally reach those goals, expectations fade and we don’t find happiness. It’s true that we were looking for a lot.

While true and lasting happiness cannot be manufactured through instant pleasures, science says it can be cultivated independently of external factors such as work stress, financial situation, and other circumstances. Below you will find six scientifically proven strategies that can bring you happiness, well-being, and quality of life.

Feed well

It has already been proven that there is a direct link between our mental health and the way we eat. In addition to helping with physical performance and disease prevention, what we put on our plate daily affects our brain and other parts of the body that work directly with the organ, like the intestines, for example. Scientific studies have observed the eating habits of different populations and found that individuals who followed a healthy eating pattern, characterized by consuming foods rich in vitamins, minerals, lean protein and low in sugar, were less likely to develop anxiety and depression. The explanation for this result lies mainly in the analysis of the intestinal microflora of this population, which binds to the brain and, when strengthened, is able to reduce psychological symptoms such as poor mood and mental fatigue.

Get enough sleep

Who hasn’t felt angry after a bad night’s sleep? Sleep is important for rest, but it is also one of the times of the day when our brain is most active, processing the events of your day. A study published in February 2022 in the journal sleep progressIt was carried out by researchers at the University of Oxford, UK, with 18,642 children and adolescents between the ages of 8 and 19, assessing the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on sleep quality, happiness and interpersonal relationships. The survey found that participants who reported getting a good night’s sleep were those who said they were happy (49%). In addition to regulating the important hormones of our brain, during sleep unpleasant memories of the day are processed through the amygdala, and positive aspects through the hippocampus. And when there are restrictions on sleep, the part that processes the good times ends up being affected.

Do physical exercises

A study was published in scalpel A team of scientists from Yale and Oxford Universities analyzed a large number of people who exercise regularly and compared them to those who do not. The research also took into account the participants’ financial status and found that regular exercise is more important for mental health than being well-off. The explanation may be related to the relief provided by physical exercise. Mobility and exercise, especially those that involve socializing, help regulate hormones that are important for mental health, as well as prevent diseases that affect happiness levels.

Stay in touch with nature

Just five minutes in nature and away from electronics during the day can be good for your mental health. At least that’s what a study by the University of Regina in Canada says. Scientists have found that a few minutes of thinking about the color green can provide positive feelings – this moment may be rare for most of us, since the vast majority of humans live in urban centers. Scientists came to this information after dividing 123 people into two groups: one stayed inside the college building and another group went out and turned off their electronic devices. The group who went out to see nature reported feeling more pleasant feelings such as gratitude, awe, and the feeling that you were part of something bigger than you.

Invest in healthy relationships

Toxic relationships make mental health ill and can cause disorders such as anxiety and depression. Humans are essentially social, and from the start, they need to live in a community, dependent on each other to survive. A study conducted by Columbia University in the United States found that people who have close friends are usually happier, enthusiastic, and satisfied with life. In addition to feeling well, spending time with loved ones can cause physical changes, such as an increased heart rate, and make us more likely to feel happier.

have more sex

In addition to being healthy and providing temporary pleasure, regular sex provides relief from stress and increases happiness. A study was published in Neuroscience Journal It states that women who have sex more often have greater growth in some specific areas of the brain. The researchers explain that an area of ​​the brain is activated during clitoral stimulation, and that the area is more spacious in women who have sex more often. Another study published by the journal in 2015 Social psychology and personality science The sexual frequency of 30,000 North American people in stable relationships for 30 years was analyzed, and the conclusion is that the frequency of sexual relationships increases an individual’s happiness.