25 (scientific) happiness hacks

By Alison Mango, Health.com

Updated 2055 GMT (0455 HKT) January 22, 2016

Helping others, whether you do it directly like these people feeding the homeless, or anonymously, actually makes the helpers happier.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
1. Practice kindness – Helping others, whether you do it directly like these people feeding the homeless, or anonymously, actually makes the helpers happier.
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Writing down what you're grateful for in a journal, as these students are doing, can lead to better health and more optimism.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
2. Keep a gratitude journal. – Writing down what you're grateful for in a journal, as these students are doing, can lead to better health and more optimism.
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People who are involved in religious institutions and spiritual practices tend to be happier.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
3. Get spiritual – People who are involved in religious institutions and spiritual practices tend to be happier.
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Buy tickets to sports events, concerts or the theater to share with your family and friends.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
4. Buy experiences, not stuff – Buy tickets to sports events, concerts or the theater to share with your family and friends.
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A guitar that will get you playing again or a bat to join your local softball team is the kind of purchase that can make you happy.
Photos: 10 ways to get happy
5. Buy stuff that creates experiences – A guitar that will get you playing again or a bat to join your local softball team is the kind of purchase that can make you happy.
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