I recently took part in an on-line happiness experiment conducted by psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman. (Head of a research unit at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK.) Over 26,000 people took part in the experiment.
At the beginning of the experiment we all had to complete a short questionnaire asking how happy we usually were. We were then randomly split into 5 groups. 4 of the groups were assigned a popular method for boosting happiness with the 5th group being the control.
At the end of the 5 days we had to report back about how much more happier we felt than at the start of the experiment.
Here are the 4 popular happiness boosting methods used in the experiment and the first findings by Professor Wiseman.
1. Acts of Kindness (often called Random Acts of Kindness)
The idea is that each day you carry out a random act of kindness such as phoning a friend in need, picking up litter, donating to a good cause, helping someone who is struggling with luggage or a baby’s buggy. It doesn’t have to be a big thing – sometimes the smallest gesture can really brighten up someone’s day.
2. Practicing Gratitude
Make a list of everything you have in your life to be grateful for such as, a beautiful sunset, a sunny day, a loving relationship, the rain for the garden, enough food to eat, somewhere warm and safe to live.
3. Power of Smiling
I’ve mentioned this before in earlier posts but smiling and laughter is very therapeutic. For the purposes of this experiment Professor Wiseman suggests that each day we smile and hold it for a few seconds.
4. Happy Memories
This is the group I was assigned to. For one minute each day I was to think of something that went well the day before. It could be anything like having a lovely cup of coffee, catching the bus on time, someone telling you they love you or something going well at work.
The 5th control group had to just think about the day before – not about anything in particular – just the day before.
Interestingly, the first findings by Professor Wiseman suggested that everyone in all the groups, including the control group reported a rise in happiness. However, the people who followed method No. 4, “Happy Memories” reported the greatest increase in their level of happiness.
He goes on to say that there could be other factors involved here such as the weather so it is impossible at this stage to say whether this is the most effective method. The full results will be published at a future date and I’ll update you then.
Although I regularly practice all the methods listed here and find that they all help to lighten my mood and increase my happiness, I too found the 4th method, “Happy Memories”, to be the most effective method for giving me a happiness boost.
Why not give these methods a go and let me know here how you get on and which one is the most effective. I would suggest you try the method for at least 5 days.
Do you have a favourite method for boosting your happiness level? Please share it in the comments section below and help spread the happiness! 
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