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Siyana Mincheva (Psychologist, psychotherapist)
Accessing happiness is a feeling that everyone dreams of experiencing. But are there any secrets to achieving this? According to a study carried out by researchers at Harvard University, seven tips should be applied on a daily basis to achieve true happiness. Explanations from Siyana Mincheva, psychologist.
Being happy and achieving happiness is the ultimate goal for many of us. But is there a user manual? According to an American study, carried out by Harvard researchers, happiness comes down to seven key tips.
A scientific study that began in the 1930s
To reach this conclusion, the scientists launched their work in 1938. After recruiting nearly 800 young people with varied profiles, coming from different economic and social backgrounds, they gathered a series of information on their personal and professional lives, their health and psychological state by taking an assessment every two years, throughout their life.
The results appeared in a book called The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. The work was written by Harvard professors Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.
Good in his body, good in his head!
What are the seven key tips for achieving happiness?
Here are seven recommendations to follow, to achieve happiness, taken both from this study but also following the advice of our expert. Remember that it is important to:
- Stay connected and spend time with loved ones : Indeed, ““Connecting with other people creates mental and emotional stimulation, which automatically modulates our mood.” confirms Siyana Mincheva. “Relationships with our families, our spouses, our friends are therefore the key to our development”. According to the researchers, we should not be content with news via SMS, but rather get back into the habit of calling our loved ones to chat. Friendly professional relationships are also encouraged.
- Knowing how to let go and live in the present moment : Among the keys to happiness is “realizing how short life is,” paying more attention to what makes us happy in the present moment. “So the idea is to appreciate what we have here and now” according to Siyana Mincheva. This can be a one-on-one moment with your partner, or with loved ones, for example. The advice from scientists is therefore to know how to “compartmentalize your time” so as not to neglect human interactions instead. profit from work.
- Boost sound immune system : “treating our body and offering it a better, healthier lifestyle is another key to happiness.” says Siyana Mincheva.
- Engage in activities that are meaningful to you : according to the psychologist, “several neuroscience studies show the benefits of activities we enjoy. This connects our neurons and boosts dopaminethe hormone that guides our motivation and serotonin, that of well-being”.
- Get enough sleep : Sleep plays a crucial role in regulating mood. “Stable Sleep May Be a Key Factor in Daily Happiness” estimates the psychologist. “Moreover, it is a parameter that is specific to each individual.” she recalls.
- Seek happiness in experience rather than material possession : this ties in with the importance of living in the present moment and “remember that these are the memories that remain, when everything is past“.
- Open yourself to new experiences : “openness to new experiences is correlated with creativity and personal achievement” underlines the psychologist. “It also leads to a richer and more satisfying life thanks to the challenges we undertake” she concludes.
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