9 Signs you're happier than you think

Your emotional well-being isn’t just about your genes or the kind of home you were raised in. It
turns out that some pretty interesting factors—backed by science—play a role in how joyful you
feel:

You were a smiley student

Adults with the biggest grins in their college yearbook pictures were up to 5 times less likely to
be divorced decades later than those who looked less happy, according to a new DePauw
University study. A smiler’s positive disposition may attract other happy people or rub off on a
spouse.

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You have a sister

People with at least one female sibling report better social support, more optimism, and better
coping abilities, according to a study presented at the British Psychological Society’s annual
conference. Sisters appear to encourage communication and cohesion in families.

You're not glued to the TV

The happiest people spend 30% less time parked in front of the tube, according to a University
of Maryland study that analyzed 34 years of data from more than 45,000 Americans. They’re
more likely to spend time socializing, reading, or attending religious services—habits that are
linked to better moods and health.

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You keep souvenirs on display

People who use mementos or photos to remind themselves of good times better appreciate
their lives and are happier, says Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, a professor of psychology at
University of California, Riverside. Good memories remind you of your “happiness potential” and
promise that soon you can reach it again.

You make exercise a priority

People who exercise more are less likely to be stressed and more likely to be satisfied with life,
according to Danish researchers. Compared with sedentary people, joggers are 70% less likely
to have high stress levels and life dissatisfaction, the study found. Couch potatoes who start
moderate exercise—the equivalent of 17 to 34 minutes a day—experience the greatest
happiness lift.
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You have a healthy love life

Physical intimacy is a key contributor to happiness, found a study by Dartmouth economist

David Blanchflower, PhD, and Andrew Oswald, PhD, of England's University of Warwick.
Married people report 30% more sex than singles, which may be one reason they also report
being happier.

You hang out with happy people

Socializing with a cheerful person in your neighborhood increases the likelihood that you’ll be
happy too, according to a new study. How often you get together matters most, say the
researchers: People who live within half a mile of a buoyant buddy increase their odds of being
happy by 42%. If the friend lives farther away (within a 2-mile radius), the chances drop to 22%
—probably due to fewer get-togethers.

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You stay warm with hot cocoa

Clutching a steaming beverage—coffee and tea also do the trick—can elicit a flood of positive
feelings, according to a Yale University study. This may be because people associate physical
warmth with emotional warmth, say the researchers. Study subjects held cups of either hot or
iced coffee; those gripping warm mugs were more appreciative of friendliness in others and also
felt more generous and trusting themselves.

You have two best friends

Among 654 married adults, those who said they had at least two “best friends” (not necessarily
including one’s spouse) were likelier to have better mental well-being, says a study. But
additional friends didn’t lead to any more happiness than just a pair.

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