How to be happy: 40+ secrets to a happier life

Owning a pet can make you happier. A recent Washington State University study found that just 10 minutes of petting a furry friend resulted in reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol. And dogs might have an edge over cats – in a recent survey, 36 per cent of dog owners rated themselves as “very happy” compared to only 18 per cent of cat owners.

Learn how to choose the perfect pet for your family. 

A 2019 psychology study concluded that dads are happier than mums, perhaps because they were more likely to report that they were playing with their kids rather than doing housework. The lesson? Split child-care – and household tasks – equally.

According to the psychology professor Daniel L. Wann, who literally wrote the book on sport fandom – that would be Sport Fans: The Psychology and Social Impact of Fandom – rooting for a team leads to social connections, which provide a buffer against depression and alienation as well as increasing self-esteem and self-worth. But choose wisely: losing teams don’t offer the same benefits.

If you’re religious, going to church, temple or mosque will make you happier. A recent Pew Research Centre survey of 24 countries found that in Australia, for example, 45 per cent of actively religious people said they were very happy, compared to 32 per cent of inactively religious people and 33 per cent of unaffiliated people.

Joining a choir can bring you joy, thanks to the combination of singing and a group dynamic. Bonus: you don’t have to be a good singer to reap the benefits.

Being outside can boost your mood. In a study led by Zelenski, people who spent 15 minutes outdoors reported about 60 per cent more positive emotions than those who stayed inside. “The idea is that humans evolved in nature, so we have some preference and appreciation for healthy environments.” And while the effects aren’t quite as strong, simply watching a nature documentary will do in a pinch.

Esfahani Smith says nature provides transcendent moments: “[When] you’re lifted above the hustle and bustle of daily life, your sense of self fades away and you feel connected to a higher reality.” In 2015, researchers asked 90 students to look up at 60-metre-tall eucalyptus trees for one minute. After, the subjects reported feeling less self-centred, and they behaved more generously when given the chance to help someone.

Here are 50 best simple pleasures that make life worth living. 

A 2015 poll found that if you’re sleeping less than six hours per night, you’re about 30 per cent less happy than people who get between seven-and-a-half and nine hours of shut-eye.

It may not feel that way while we’re doing it, but exercise makes us happier. Several studies have found that people who work out for at least 30 minutes five times per week were at least 30 per cent more likely to consider themselves happy than people who never exercised. And it may not even take that much; other studies found that just 10 minutes of exercise per day can make you more cheerful.

According to a 2017 study published in the journal Biofeedback, people who slouched while walking felt more depressed – but when they stood in a more upright position, they reported a significant bump in their outlook and energy levels.