Psychology Today: 3 Scientific Ways to Be Happy Today

"Science suggests letting go of perfectionistic standards, making a plan to be social, and practicing forgiveness are three things we can do to fight off a negative mood."

1. Stop trying to be perfect.

"There are better ways to keep yourself, and the surrounding people motivated besides trying to attain a standard of perfection. The pressure of needing everything to go perfectly can easily leave us feeling burnt-out, unworthy, regretful, and unfulfilled. Letting go of perfectionist ideals will lighten your mental load and will allow you to appreciate the simple pleasure of ‘doing things’ instead of feeling the pressure that comes with the need to ‘do things well.’"

2. Be your most social self.

“Quality contact with other people serves as a reliable mood enhancement strategy,” say the researchers, led by Fallon Goodman of the University of South Florida. A large body of research has shown that socializing with peers is a surefire way to boost your mood. Increasing one’s amount of social interaction can even benefit people who are more introverted or have high levels of social anxiety. "

3. Forgive somebody (maybe even yourself).

“Forgiveness can rehumanize victims after their sense of humanness has been damaged by an offense. Study participants who imagined taking revenge against the colleague remained in a dehumanized state (e.g., rating themselves as feeling less refined, emotional, and intelligent and more superficial, cold, and animalistic) relative to those who forgave the colleague. ”

“Some of the other scientifically-noted benefits of forgiveness include: Decreased anxiety and stress, being less hostile in everyday interactions, improved mental health and self-esteem. “

What I have learned from the article

• Innovative scientific research can help us transform a bad day into a good one.
• The freedom that comes from letting go of perfectionist ideals allows you to appreciate the pleasure of 'doing things' without the pressure of perfection.

• The act of forgiving yourself can also help turn a bad day around since it decreases anxiety as well as improves mental well-being and self-esteem.

Read the full article here.

💬 What are the ways you can refocus your mindset when you feel unhappy? (Movement, smiling, music, dancing, fresh air, etc.)

#happiness #today #science #forgiveness #perfectionism