Happiness – 10 Key Things We Know

By Kevin Roberts, KR Connect - 12 Apr 2010

Having looked at history and done theory on happiness in recent blogs, here’s a top 10 from Dr Mike Pratt to pin to your wall:

1. Progress towards meaningful goals using ‘signature strengths’ contributes significantly to happiness.
2. Happy people take time to do things that give them pleasure.
3. Quality time with friends and family is top of the happiness list.
4. Doing altruistic things for others creates enduring happiness.
5. Expressing gratitude enhances your own wellbeing and that of the recipient.
6. People quickly adapt to material advances.
7. Beyond satisfaction of needs, more money does not make people significantly happier.
8. Positive experiences tend to provide more enduring happiness than tangible purchases (social benefits).
9. We get little enduring pleasure from short cuts.
10. Regular exercise increases happiness.