How to be Happy
As you get older, it's inevitable to look back on your life and regret
certain things you didn't do. The most common regrets include not keeping in
touch with friends, not traveling enough, not allowing yourself to be happier,
working too hard and making life more complicated than it has to be. No one
regrets not buying more material possessions, but they do regret not
experiencing their life to the fullest.
This is a problem you can proactively prevent. So get out there, declutter
yourself from material possessions and live a life full of wonderful
experiences.
Happiness Economics
If you didn't know that happiness can be measured quantitatively and
theoretically, it can. Happiness economics is the study of happiness and its
affects. It offers insight into people's overall well-being and their likes and
dislikes in regard to current issues, including their income, job status,
potential risk of unemployment, health and economic inflation.
The World Happiness Report compares happiness between
countries and different cultures and factors in GDP per capita, social support,
healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity and perception of competition. The
2016 report found that Denmark is the happiest country in the world, with
Switzerland trailing right behind.
Experiences vs. Possessions
So why are the people of Denmark and Switzerland so happy? In a study
published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology titled "If Money Doesn't Make You Happy, Then You
Probably Aren't Spending It Right," scientists Dunn, Gilbert and
Wilson have eight recommendations for those who wish to be happier.
One of the most important suggestions is to spend money on experiences, not
material goods. Experiences have a stronger connection to the human body since
they're deeply rooted to identity, social behavior and relationships. Spending
money on a vacation provides memories that get sweeter with time, bonding
individuals to each other or to certain places and leaving long-lasting effects
on an individual's mental and physical well-being.
Even the anticipation of an experience has a positive effect on an
individual's well-being and happiness. A study titled "Waiting for Merlot" in the
journal Psychological Science explores the hedonistic differences
between experiential purchases and material purchases before consumption. They
found that waiting for an experience is more positive than waiting for
possessions and that people who are anticipating an experience are able to
derive more happiness from the process.
Benefits of Eliminating Clutter
Investing in experiences is crucial, but eliminating clutter and organizing
your life are just as important to your happiness. Having too many belongings
can bring on stress and anxiety, placing an emotional toll on your mind. Clutter
slows you down and makes you mentally and physically fatigued. This accumulation
of stress has long-term effects on the body, including heart disease, obesity,
autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Organizing your life might require you to make a few material purchases, such
as an iPad to organize your schedule and storage containers to put loose
items away. Declutter your home, workspace, car and mind to find
happiness, clarity and efficiency throughout all aspects of your life.
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Thank you for dropping by and sharing some love! You're lovely!
Maxi
Ovah Coffee
Homeaholic
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