Discover how wealthy you already are!
Think you need a fortune to be happy? Not true! Surprising new Harvard research reveals that rewarding yourself and others with small joys does more to make you feel truly happy and blessed!
1 Pay it forward!
Spending small amounts gives you the biggest happiness boost, reveals Harvard professor Michael I. Norton, PH.D., coauthor of Happy Money. And spending those few dollars on others rather than on yourself delivers the most joy! Being able to recall the other person’s face lighting up is a memory that keeps on giving back to you!
● And go wide! While giving tiny treats to loved ones makes you feel great, giving them to a stranger in need is even more satisfying. A random act of kindness is the purest form of altruism, releasing the biggest flood of feel-good chemicals!
2 Focus on fleeting experiences!
“Not only are experiences more interesting than stuff, we also tend to share experiences with others, which is a source of joy unto itself!” says Norton. And the least expensive options—making cupcakes with your grandkids, hosting a tea party for friends or buying a board game to share—bring the most joy! Why? Spending more money tends to trigger anxiety about finances!
● And go green! Paying to do things in nature—say, ice skating or feeding wild birds— delivers the most satisfaction and least buyer’s remorse. Being in nature zaps stress and, scientists say, is also proven to boost self-esteem!
3 Become “time rich”!
One priceless thing we all want more of? Time! In fact, this sought-after form of wealth even has a name: “time affluence.” And while we can’t buy more of it, we can spend it in ways that make us happier. For example, investing in an audiobook to play on your commute can make you feel as if your trip is 25% shorter!
● And hobbies pay off big! Immersing yourself in a hobby slows your perception of time—and losing track of the clock makes you feel more fulfilled and less stressed overall. So go ahead and invest in, say, a new set of paints if art is your passion, or upgrade to a more luxurious yarn if you’re an avid knitter—paying into your passion is one of the most fulfilling investments you’ll ever make!
4 Delay your gratification!
Believe it or not, anticipating an experience can deliver just as big a joy boost as the experience itself! Simply put, planning to buy yourself a decadent chocolate bar at the end of the week, for example, will make it taste even sweeter, especially if you spend time really thinking about how delicious it will be, says Norton. Building up positive expectations lets you relish how great the experience will be for hours, days, even weeks!
● And go window shopping! Sure, splurging on yourself boosts your mood, but did you know simply window shopping has the same effect? It’s true— MRI studies show that browsing among beautiful items lights up the same reward centers in your brain! Just like with the chocolate bar above, imagining owning something is often as pleasurable—if not more so—than actually forking over the money for it!