Habits of Happy People

1. They surround themselves with other happy people.
Joy is contagious. Researchers of the Framingham Heart Study who investigated the spread of happiness over 20 years found that those who are surrounded by happy people “are more likely to become happy in the future." Make sure to spend more time with uplifting people.

2. They smile when they mean it.
Even if you’re not feeling so chipper, cultivating a happy thought - and then smiling about it - could up your happiness levels and make you more productive. It’s important to be genuine with your grin: the study revealed that faking a smile while experiencing negative emotions could actually worsen your mood.

3. They cultivate resilience.
Happy people know how to bounce back from failure. Resilience is like a padding for the inevitable hardship human beings are bound to face. As the Japanese proverb goes, “Fall seven times and stand up eight.”

4. They try to be happy.
Yep - it’s as simple as it sounds: just trying to be happy can boost your emotional well-being. Those who actively tried to feel happier in the studies reported the highest level of positive moods, making a case for thinking yourself happy.

5. They are mindful of the good.
It’s important to celebrate great, hard-earned accomplishments, but happy people give attention to their smaller victories, too. Being mindful of the things that do go your way can make you feel a greater sense of accomplishment throughout the day.

6. They appreciate simple pleasures
A meticulously swirled ice cream cone. A boundlessly waggy dog. Happy people take the time to appreciate these easy-to-come-by pleasures. Finding meaning in the little things, and practicing gratitude for all that you do have is associated with a sense of overall happiness.

7. They devote some of their time to giving
Even though there are only 24 hours in a day, positive people fill some of that time doing good for others, which in return, does some good for the do-gooders themselves. It has been found that people of all ages who volunteered were happier and experienced better physical health and less depression.

8. They let themselves lose track of time. (And sometimes they can’t help it.)
When you’re immersed in an activity that is simultaneously challenging, invigorating and meaningful, you experience a joyful state called “flow.” Happy people seek this sensation of getting “caught up” or “carried away,” which diminishes self-consciousness and promotes the feelings associated with success.

9. They nix the small talk for deeper conversation.
Nothing wrong with shootin' the you-know-what every now and then, but sitting down to talk about what makes you tick is a prime practice for feeling good about life. Those who take part in more substantive conversation and less trivial chit chat experience more feelings of satisfaction.

10. They make a point to listen.
When you listen you open up your ability to take in more knowledge versus blocking the world with your words or your distracting thoughts. Knowledge and confidence is proof that you are secure and positive with yourself thus radiating positive energy. Good listening is a skill that strengthens relationships and leads to more satisfying experiences.

12. They uphold in-person connections.
It’s quick and convenient to text, FaceTime and tweet at your buddies. But spending the money on a flight to see your favorite person across the country has weight when it comes to your well-being.

13. They look on the bright side.
Optimism touts plenty of health benefits, including less stress, a better tolerance for pain, and longevity. When you choose to see the silver lining, you're also choosing health and happiness.

14. They value a good mixtape.
Music is powerful. So powerful, in fact, that it could match up to the anxiety-reducing effects of massage therapy. One study found that patients who simply listened to music had the same decreased anxiety symptoms as those who got 10 hour-long massages.

15. They unplug.
Whether by meditating, taking a few deep breaths away from the screen or deliberately disconnecting from electronics, unplugging from our hyper-connected world has proven advantages when it comes to happiness. Talking on your cell can raise your stress levels, while uninterrupted screen time has been linked to depression and fatigues. Technology isn't going away, but partaking in some kind of a digital detox gives your brain the opportunity to recharge and recover.

17. They make exercise a priority.
"Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy." Exercise has been shown to ease symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. Plus, working out makes us appreciate our bodies more. 

18. They go outside.
Want to feel alive? Just a 20-minute dose of fresh air promotes a sense of vitality. "Nature is fuel for the soul."

19. They spend some time on the pillow.
A good sleep decreases anxiety adn improves mood.

20. They LOL.

You've heard it before: Laughter is the best medicine. A good, old-fashioned chuckle releases happy brain chemicals that makes humans better equipped to tolerate both pain and stress.
Laughter has been found to produce some of the benefits associated with working out, like a healthy immune system, controlled appetite and improved cholesterol.