The Power 9
The Power 9 are nine pieces of happiness-boosting advice from the world’s happiest people.
Dan Beuttner set out on a mission to travel the world and discover where the people who live the longest live and what they are doing right. He dubbed those areas the Blue Zones.
He soon discovered that the recipe for longevity also produced happy people, strengthening the link between happiness and health.
After reviewing the enormous data on happiness studies and travelling the world to meet the happiest people, the Blue Zones of Happiness, Buettner believes these nine things can increase feelings of joy, satisfaction, and well-being, aka happiness.
1. Love someone
Married or committed people are happier and live longer. But picking the right partner can make a huge difference.
Make your family a priority, invest time and energy in your children, and spread love to those who don’t have what you do.
2. Invest in your inner circle
The company you keep can tell what life you lead. You become like the people you surround yourself with. For every happy friend you have, you increase your chance of happiness by 15%.
Obesity, smoking, substance abuse and unhappiness are contagious.
3. Engage with the world
Get out of the house.
There is a beautiful, wide world out there, and lots of fun things to see and do. Volunteer, join a club, attend religious services, try a new class, visit a new neighbourhood or park, the possibilities are endless.
4. Learn to be likable
I did not expect this to be one of the tenets of happiness.
Be interested and interesting.
Life will be more fun.
5. Move naturally
Every day.
If you don’t exercise regularly or play any sports, consider adding movement to your day as much as possible. Walk more, take the stairs instead of the elevator, bike, dance, garden, clean your house, and move as much as possible.
6. Look forward
Making plans, setting goals, and having something to look forward to will make you happier.
7. Sleep enough
Researchers found that people who sleep less than six hours per night are 30% less happy than those who sleep between seven and a half and nine hours ( the recommended amount).
8. Shape your surroundings
If you want happiness and well—being to be your default mode, you have to make sure your life is set up to support it. Make sure your home has plenty of natural light, proximity to green spaces or indoor plants, no clutter, and a place to get cozy and peaceful.
You will benefit from a workplace exposed to sunlight and plants, happy and cooperative coworkers, and a healthy work culture. Money is a huge source of stress, so your finances must be in order, you must live below your means, have a plan to pay off debt, and save and invest if you can.
On this topic, this may be an interesting read:
Last, but not least, your social life. Choose happy friends, avoid social circles that are unhealthy and unhappy, and make social connections a priority. As life gets busy, friendships take a back seat. But studies show that loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
Fun fact: the world’s happiest people socialize for at least 6 hours a day.
9. Choose the right community
Together we are stronger, healthier. And happier.
Find your tribe, your people.
Remember, it takes a village, a literal village — loved ones, family, friends, coworkers, community, to be happy.
Pura vida!
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