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Do you know someone who’s always smiling, like they’ve discovered the secret to eternal happiness? And you’re just sitting there, wondering, How is this person so annoyingly cheerful all the time? Well, according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, it's kind of like those people who are naturally thin, effortlessly rocking a size 2 while you’re over here battling the potato chips in your pantry. Yeah, it’s irritating. But the good news is, according to happiness experts (who I assume are just the happiest people on earth), you can actually learn to be happier. So no more excuses!
Here are five habits that will increase your happiness—because apparently, it’s not all about complaining about your Wi-Fi speed:
1. Find things that make you lose track of time.
Ever been so into a hobby or activity that you didn’t notice 3 hours had passed? That’s called a "flow" state. It’s like time becomes a magical illusion, and in this case, the illusion is that you’re doing something you actually enjoy. So find your flow, whether it’s painting, knitting, or binge-watching an entire season of something on Netflix in one sitting (no judgment).
2. Practice random acts of kindness.
I know, sounds like the plot of a Hallmark movie, but hear me out: doing something nice for someone just because can make you feel like a superhero. And who doesn’t want to feel like a superhero? Plus, a little kindness goes a long way—both for your happiness and possibly your karma.
3. Nurture your relationships.
Apparently, friendships and family are more important to happiness than money, your job, or even your ability to find matching socks in the laundry. So, spend more time with people you care about, and if your relationships are a little "rocky," maybe try not to tell your mom her cooking tastes like cardboard this time. (Just a thought.)
4. Express gratitude.
Stop and smell the roses—or, in your case, the coffee (we all know that’s what really keeps you going). Seriously, take a moment each day to count your blessings, even if one of them is that you found a parking spot right next to the entrance. Life’s little wins count too.
5. Celebrate good news.
When something good happens, celebrate! I don’t mean throw a parade (unless you want to, in which case, I’m coming). Just acknowledge your wins with a little self-congratulation. And if someone else has good news, join their victory dance! Happiness is contagious, like that one friend who always insists on sending you cat videos to cheer you up. Be that friend.
So, there you have it. You can actually train your brain to be happy. Now go out there and start smiling like you’ve got a secret, because—let’s face it—you’re probably about to become that person. Just don’t be too cheerful, or you might make everyone else hate you.