6 things you think are making you happy—but aren't

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6 things you think are making you happy—but aren't By Angela Haupt Health and Wellness Editor What makes for a happy life? The ingredients aren't always obvious, researchers say. For our Happiness Revival Guide, I set out to sort fact from fiction. Here are a few surprising things I learned that we all tend to think are making us happy—but that might be doing the opposite: Dodging negative emotions. Every expert I talked to stressed that the top thing people get wrong about achieving happiness is that it requires suppressing unpleasant feelings like frustration or anger. In fact, acknowledging our negative emotions—and then reframing them—is key to coping well with life's challenges. Chasing success. Landing a fancy promotion or new job doesn’t make us happy for as long as we think it will. Instead, make it a habit to prioritize seeking out new challenges and opportunities. Living in a city. Urban living often translates to stress, anxiety, and unhappiness. If you’re a city-dweller, you can protect your mental health by spending time in nature and taking more walks. READ THE STORY.   Share the story

What else to read Why Ultra-Processed Foods Are So Bad for You By Tara Law Recent research finds that highly processed food may pose health risks. Read More » Column: How to Make Gratitude Feel Less Like a Chore By Dr. Robert Waldinger Practicing gratitude doesn't have to be hard. Read More » U.S. Safety Agency Eyes Ban on Gas Stoves As Health Concerns Mount By Ari Natter / Bloomberg Gas stoves emit air pollutants at levels experts say are unsafe and linked to respiratory illness and cardiovascular problems. Read More » Is Hydrogen Water Actually Good for You? By Alice Park In an effort to improve the health benefits of H2O, companies are adding extra hydrogen to bottled water. But does it work? (Originally published in 2017.) Read More » 'Phubbing' Is Hurting Your Relationships. Here's What You Should Know By Jamie Ducharme This phenomenon may seem like a relatively harmless, if annoying, part of modern life, but research is finding that it may be hurting your relationships. (Originally published in 2018.) Read More »

One Last Read What if kids ran scientific journals? In the Washington Post, Mark Johnson profiles one science journal with an unusual review process: all of the reviewers are kids ages 8 through 15. Frontiers for Young Minds publishes the research of top scientists but makes the writing accessible to people of all ages—even children. The goal is to help scientists communicate more clearly to the public. Read More »

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