Can you 'buy' happiness? - 5

(...contd...)

Give it Away

Okay, the final one to be happy is to give it away! Yes, you read it right. In a study, wherein some people were given a small amount of cash. Half of the group were asked to spend the money on others and the remaining half were asked to spend money on themselves. By the end of the day, these people were contacted again and the people who spend money on others were much happier than the people who spend money on themselves.

Spending money on others brings a sense of being content and happiness.

Go ahead, spread happiness!

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This brings an end to this series. Lots of L.O.V.E.

Can you 'buy' happiness? - 4

(...cont'd)...

Make It a Treat

Sometimes, we are happier not only by delaying consumption, but also by reducing consumption. There was a study wherein chocolate lovers were asked to come to a lab on two occasions to eat chocolate, one week apart. During the intervening week, one group was told to abstain from eating chocolate; another group was sent home with a big bag of chocolate to eat; and the third group wasn't given any specific instructions. When the three groups returned after a week to taste chocolates again in the lab, the first group derived the most pleasure from eating chocolates. This simple, yet effective study proves that less consumption of existing things makes us happier.

I tried this at home myself. I gave myself a break of nearly 2 weeks between eating my favorite ice cream and chocolate. The effects were amazing! YUMMY!!

(...cont'd)