5 things you can do to make yourself happier right now

Posted by: Minh Nguyen on 31 May 2015

I read an article this morning that lists 5 things that you can do to make yourself happier right now:

1) Listen to your favourite piece of music
2) Spend five more minutes with someone you like
3) Go outdoors
4) Help others
5) Have a new experience

They say that having more money does not necessarily make people happier. They say it is better to buy experiences.

Whenever I buy a new black box or cable, I tell my other half that I am buying a new experience. Seems to work for me.
Posted on: 31 May 2015 by hafler3o
Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen:
They say it is better to buy experiences.

I don't think they were thinking of hifi gadgets when they wrote it 

Posted on: 31 May 2015 by DrMark
Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen:
They say that having more money does not necessarily make people happier.

Clearly the case, and demonstrated this weekend in a very concrete manner by the suicide of my cousin's husband - he was the wealthiest guy at our family reunion each year, and I didn't know him well but would never have suspected he was that unhappy.

Posted on: 31 May 2015 by MDS
Originally Posted by DrMark:
Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen:
They say that having more money does not necessarily make people happier.

Clearly the case, and demonstrated this weekend in a very concrete manner by the suicide of my cousin's husband - he was the wealthiest guy at our family reunion each year, and I didn't know him well but would never have suspected he was that unhappy.

As they say, money doesn't necessarily buy you happiness, and there are many examples in the world to demonstrate this. On the other hand, being poor is a cause of much misery.    

Posted on: 31 May 2015 by Bert Schurink

Your list is pretty good one. I would add just enjoying the moment (Minfullness). For me personally a patner would make a huge difference.

Posted on: 31 May 2015 by rjstaines

I hear what you say Minh:

 

1) Listen to your favourite piece of music  - I do, frequently - George Michael
2) Spend five more minutes with someone you like - that's my Naim dealer
3) Go outdoors - ..to my Naim dealer's place
4) Help others - I contribute regularly to my Naim dealer's pension fund
5) Have a new experience - the Super Lumia was certainly a new experience

 

More excellent advice from an informed Forum member - thanks Minh.

Roger

 

Posted on: 31 May 2015 by Sniper

Many poor people are unhappy

many poor people are happy

 

many rich people are happy

many rich people are unhappy

 

This is undeniably true and therefore we can conclude that being rich or poor has nothing to do with being happy. Happiness is a state of mind so you need to work with your mind and not things external to your mind. 

 

If you stop looking for a happiness and look for a meaningful life then happiness will take care of itself. Happiness is a by product of a meaningful life not a by product of little black boxes. If little black boxes were a true cause of happiness then the more little black boxes you had the happier you would be. Hang on a minute I may have got this wrong!

 

 

Posted on: 01 June 2015 by winkyincanada

It is indeed all about experiences. My treasured memories are of things I have done, the places I have been and people I have met. The things that I have owned? Meh. Not so much.

Posted on: 01 June 2015 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Sniper:

Many poor people are unhappy

many poor people are happy

 

many rich people are happy

many rich people are unhappy

 

This is undeniably true and therefore we can conclude that being rich or poor has nothing to do with being happy. 

 

 

We can "conclude" such things only if we are illiterate in statistics.

Posted on: 01 June 2015 by Bruce Woodhouse

Seize the day

No pain no gain

Use it or lose it

All things in moderation, except exercise

Never fart near a fire

 

My code for ageing and life. I tend to share these with patients, to varying degrees. Well, most of them anyway.