Actively improve and make new social connections, as research shows it’s a necessary condition for high happiness and universally boosts well-being for everyone, including introverts.
Focus on helping other people by giving your time or money, as happy individuals are disproportionately other-oriented, and acts of kindness significantly improve personal well-being more than self-focused pursuits.
Initiate conversations with strangers, even during commutes, because research indicates these interactions boost well-being and happiness, contrary to common intuition.
Before picking up your phone, ask yourself “What for?” (purpose), “Why now?” (triggering emotion), and “What else?” (opportunity cost) to foster a more intentional and mindful relationship with technology.
Dedicate time to be present in the moment with a non-judgmental attitude, as this practice reduces mind-wandering and rumination, thereby significantly improving overall well-being.
Recognize and engage in simple, brief interactions with people like baristas or store tellers, as these “weak ties” are shown to accumulate and contribute to your overall happiness.
Understand that happiness is like a leaky tire, requiring continuous small boosts through micro-moments of joy and social interaction throughout your day, rather than being a fixed destination.
Do not pursue happiness through material possessions, fame, or accolades, as data consistently shows these external achievements provide only fleeting satisfaction and do not lead to lasting well-being.
Actively fight against modern cultural tendencies, such as technology overuse and the pursuit of external validation, which pull you away from your natural state of happiness and require intentional effort to counteract.
Commit approximately 20 minutes each day to intentional practices like connecting with friends or performing acts of kindness, as these small, consistent efforts are evidence-based ways to significantly boost your well-being.
Incorporate practices such as meditation, prayer, or even simple deep belly breaths into your routine to enhance presence and mindfulness, allowing you to notice and appreciate small moments of joy.
Recognize that technology use has an opportunity cost; prioritize real-life social interactions over digital engagement, especially when it detracts from connecting with family and friends.
Keep your phone out of sight during social interactions or in shared spaces, as its mere presence can reduce your natural inclination to smile and engage with those around you by 30%.
Be aware that your intuition about what makes you happy is often wrong; material gains or solitude are frequently predicted to increase happiness but often lead to the opposite effect.
Consider incorporating AG1, a daily health drink with five strains of gut bacteria and plant-based compounds, to support digestion and enrich your gut microbiome.