Are You Happy?

• Satisfaction with life scale is 5 questions with yes/no answers
• In most ways my life is close to ideal? Yes/No
• The conditions of my life are excellent? Yes/No
• I am satisfied with my life? Yes/No
• So far I have gotten the important things I want in life? Yes/No
• If I could have my life over again, I would change almost nothing? Yes/No
• Yes to most of the questions would indicate you are happy

Changing Happiness Levels:

• You cannot radically change your happiness
• Set range of happiness levels
• Friends, family and relationships provide the best happiness
• Even with sufficient money, possessions and resources many people are still dissatisfied, because they compare themselves with other people.
• Instead of comparing ourselves with those who have more then us, compare with those who have less, this is a great way to increase happiness

Being Grateful:

• Keeping a gratitude journal - once a day/week write down a few things you can be grateful for
• Doing this significantly increases overall satisfaction with life

Attention Change:

• Changing what you are paying attention to
• Instead of paying attention to the negative, focus on the positive aspects of it. Glass half full not half empty

Altruism:

• The urge or desire to help other people
• A lot of research shows that when you are altruistic it leads to happiness
• Planed altruism and random altruism