“Joy’s soul”, wrote Shakespeare in Troilus and Cressida, “lies in the doing.”
For anyone who wants to become happier, this is a wonderfully empowering message. Because Shakespeare’s insight is supported by modern science: what we do can have a profound effect on the way we feel.
If we’re choosing activities to increase our wellbeing, which ones should we go for? The government asked this exact same question of more than 400 mental health experts and here’s what they recommended.
Connect
Connecting is all about building relationships with other people – family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. When scientists analyse the characteristics of happy people, it’s always the quality of their relationships that stands out. Happy folk have more friends, and stronger intimate relationships, than unhappy individuals.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t be content unless you have a devoted spouse, picture-book extended family, and dozens of friends. Quality is more important than quantity. With just a few close friends you can turn to, you’ll be absolutely fine. So make your relationships a priority in your life.
Be active
Doubtless readers of sportsister.com won’t need convincing of the benefits of physical exercise! But it’s worth knowing that exercise isn’t simply good for your body; it’s also a great way to build positive emotions. Look after your body and you’ll also be caring for your mind.
Be curious
Curiosity and love of life go hand in hand. So cultivate your curiosity. Take the time to notice what’s going on around you; the appearance of the objects and people nearby; the sensations in your body. Allow yourself to wonder why something is the way it is. Ask yourself what’s the most appealing thing you can see when you look around. By doing so, you’ll be truly engaging with your world. And you’ll discover that there’s much more to enjoy than you ever suspected.
Learn
Whether it’s a new language or learning to sail, first aid or playing the guitar, learning a new skill is a proven route to satisfaction, fun, and self-confidence.
It doesn’t matter what you’re learning. Happiness arises from your awareness that you’re becoming increasingly proficient at an activity, whatever that might be. You’re moving forward: sticking to your task and developing new skills. And if you’re studying alongside other people, you also have the fun of social contact.
Give
Numerous scientific studies have found that helping others – giving our time, attention, and energy – is a crucial element of well-being.
For example, researchers in Germany who followed the fortunes of thousands of people over several years found that those who were committed to helping other people were significantly happier – as were those who prioritised family, friends, and social and political activities. (On the other hand, people driven by material rewards and job success were relatively unhappy.)
So ask yourself what you can do to help someone you know – and then go ahead and do it!
For each of these five categories, try to think of one activity you can add to your week. And build up from there. Remember: by ensuring your week includes the right type of activities, you can radically boost your level of happiness. You don’t have to suddenly turn your whole routine upside down. Aim for small steps in the right direction and you’ll soon reap the rewards. So go for it: five a day for a happier you!
Written by Professor Daniel Freeman & Jason Freeman
Daniel Freeman is Professor of Clinical Psychology at Oxford University. Jason Freeman is a writer and editor.
You Can Be Happy is available now, published by Prentice Hall Life.
Sportsister, The Women’s Sports Magazine
