Joy is one of the most valued positive emotions Who does not like to be surrounded by optimistic people who live life with joy? Although they say that joy is contagious, it has a lot to do with the habits a person has and the way he or she thinks.

How to be more cheerful, according to science

Both happiness and joy have been the object of scientific study on many occasions since they arouse much interest not only among psychologists, sociologists or doctors, but in any human being.

In this article you can find a series of tips or keys that will allow you to generate a positive attitude that will help you change your outlook on life. They are shown below.

1. Work on what you like and close to home

Work is a very important aspect of our well-being, as we spend many hours a day in the company where we work. In fact, it is a fundamental pillar of a human being’s professional development, and something that can make us really happy if we work at what we really want . Finding what motivates us and fighting for it keeps us happy and encouraged.

Being well at work affects our daily lives, and it is important that there is a good balance between work and family life. In addition, a study carried out by Yeo Valley found that people who live close to their work are much happier than those who spend more than 20 minutes getting to the company.

2. Become an emotionally intelligent person

Research suggests that emotionally intelligent people are much happier and more joyful and enjoy greater well-being and self-esteem. Because they are individuals who know themselves well, regulate their emotions and adapt them to the context in which they find themselves , they master social skills that allow them to create healthy emotional bonds and have a greater capacity for self-motivation.

In addition, these people accept their emotions as they are, and are better able to cope with the difficult situations that life may present. The good thing about this is that emotional intelligence can be learned, which is why there are many courses or workshops that help individuals to improve their well-being. In the article “The 6 best courses of Emotional Intelligence and Personal Development” you can find a selection of the most useful training courses to acquire the skills of emotional and relational management necessary to improve your level of happiness.

3. Go outside

Going out on the street has many health benefits, especially if we take advantage of it to walk. You can check it out in the article “The psychological benefits of walking”.

Going outside is very good for clearing your mind and breathing fresh air. Studies suggest that sunlight makes us more cheerful, as it stimulates the production of vitamin D which in turn increases the performance of the enzyme responsible for converting tryptophan serotonin. Serotonin is known as the happiness hormone .

  • To learn more: “Serotonin: discover the effects of this hormone on your body and mind”

5. Surround yourself with optimistic and positive-minded people

Friends are one of the keys to happiness, and surrounding yourself with positive people is one of them. Who doesn’t like to have a good time in good company? A study carried out by BMJ Group, states that surrounding yourself with happy people is contagious , because you end up breathing the same enthusiastic and positive air. Besides, we all like to surround ourselves with happy people with a good sense of humour.

6. Exercise

Claiming that physical exercise is beneficial to our health is nothing new. But in addition to the benefits that physical activity can have on our organism or our body’s aesthetics, it also helps us to be more cheerful .

The reason for this is that when we exercise, we release neurochemicals such as serotonin or endorphins, which help us feel more relaxed and improve our mood and perception of life.

7. Live in the present

Being in the here and now, without future worries and unrealistic expectations makes us more joyful. In fact, there are many forms of psychological therapy that seek to get patients to focus on the here and now and connect with themselves, leaving behind their anticipatory anxiety. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is one example.

Although it seems simple, learning to live in the present is not easy. In the article “How to live in the present moment, in 7 psychological keys” we give you some advice so that you can achieve it.

8. Listen to music

Music has a great effect on our emotions and our motivation and, in general, on our mind and our behavior. In this sense, many studies have tried to find out more about the effect that music has on us.

On the one hand, research by Saarikallio and Erkkila in 2008, found that studying music can make us more cheerful by affecting our mood and state of mind . Also, other research, this time carried out by Lonsdale and North (2010) found that music helps us manage and control negative emotional states.

9. Spend more time with your loved ones

Family and friends bring happiness to your life and make you more joyful. According to a study that was published in the book The Longevity Project , people close to you, such as family and friends, are fundamental to living a long and happy life.

10. Travel

Traveling is enriching, but it also makes you more joyful. But scientific studies say that it is not the journey itself that makes us happier, but planning it. This is what can be deduced from the results of research by Dr. Jeroen Nalwun, a professor at the University of Breda (Netherlands). According to the researcher, “planning holidays causes a greater degree of joy and happiness due to the effect of anticipating the good times that await us”.