Tag Archives: "research"

People talk a lot about the happiness risks of the internet, such as how online shopping or celebrity news can suck away our time, or how Facebook can foster comparison with other people. The internet amplifies aspects of human nature, so I try to watch out for its bad effects. But I also remind myself of how happy the internet … →

I’m always gratified when I learn that one of my Secrets of Adulthood reflects not merely my idiosyncratic experience, but also has some science behind it. For instance, one of my Secrets of Adulthood is: Most decisions don’t require extensive research. I came up with this Secret of Adulthood to remind myself not to squander my time and energy on … →

One of my latest, and favorite, happiness resolutions is to Cultivate good smells. I’d never thought much about the sense of smell, but after some research — and just paying more attention — I realize how critical this sense is to my feelings of vitality and enjoyment. It’s a cliche to “stop and smell the roses,” of course, but just … →

I just got back from a very nice week’s vacation. While I was away, I tried an experiment on myself, which turned out very successfully. I’d been intrigued by studies suggesting that interrupting a pleasant experience with something less pleasant can intensify a person’s overall pleasure. For example, surprisingly, commercials actually make TV-watching more fun. Interrupting a massage heightens the … →

2010 Happiness Challenge: For those of you following the 2010 Happiness Project Challenge, to make 2010 a happier year – and even if you haven’t officially signed up for the challenge — this month’s focus is Eternity. Last week’s resolution was to Clear a surface. Did you try to follow that resolution? Did it help to boost your happiness? In … →