14 easy-to-recognize signs that show you are living a happy life

Scientific studies have shown that happiness is, to some extent, a choice. So why do we sometimes find it difficult to choose happiness?

The answer is somewhat surprising: we are happier than we think, but we fail to notice the signs of happiness.

While no one can avoid work stress, conflict, or anxiety, our positive emotions are completely independent of external circumstances.

768 people joined together to form a smiling face in the square of Zagreb city (Croatia). Source: THX/TTXVN

To feel happier, you need to look on the bright side. Here are 14 signs that you're truly happy, and how to stay happy.

1. You want others to share your happiness with you

When you are truly happy, you want others to be happy too. Sharing your joy is a way to keep those positive feelings going. Many studies have shown that being kind to others increases your overall happiness.

2. You don't sweat the small stuff.

Missed the train? Spilled your coffee? No big deal. If you focus on what really matters and don't obsess over little things, it's probably a sign that you're doing well.

Studies have shown that people who ignore the small negative things that happen every day and focus on the happy moments are happier people overall.

Happy people don't deny the ups and downs in life, but by focusing on the positives, you set yourself up to live happier in the future, as well as cope better with negative events.

3. You appreciate the little things

Nothing makes you happier than hearing your favorite song on the radio or going outside and listening to the birds singing. Happiness is made up of little things and you know that.

Science has proven that gratitude is a key element of a happy life, and if you find yourself being grateful for the little things that make you smile, you're on the right track.

4. You take pride in other people's success

When you are happy, you not only feel happy about your own accomplishments, but you also want to celebrate the successes of others. You understand that celebrating other people's victories helps you connect with them better and shows that you are a positive person.

A speaker and coach wrote on his personal blog for The Huffington Post that expressing genuine joy to others will pay off in a big way for your own happiness: “Sharing joy with others is an opportunity to enrich the happy moments you experience. When you take every opportunity to celebrate the success of others, you make it possible for others to genuinely celebrate your success.”

5. Living in the moment is important to you

Happy people understand that living in the moment is the key to a positive life.

In a talk at a conference on how to live happier, happiness researcher Matt Killingsworth showed how enjoying the present moment actually increases our sense of well-being.

Live every moment to the fullest. Illustration photo

After developing an app that measures happiness in real time, Killingsworth discovered that most people feel happiest when they focus on the present.

“As humans, we have a remarkable ability to distract our minds from the present. Perhaps if we want to be truly happy, we need to be fully focused and immersed in our present experience, because people tend to feel less happy when their minds wander,” Killingsworth says.

6. You're in a good relationship, not just with your lover

As a happy person, you understand that people, not things, are the key to true happiness. Both physical and emotional intimacy are important factors in maintaining happiness.

In a 2012 study published in the Journal of Research in Personality, scientists found that marriage can help you avoid the decline in happiness that often occurs in adulthood.

However, that is not the only important factor for a happy life. Maintaining a wide enough social network is a way to give yourself access to more joy, especially as you age.

According to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a large social circle in midlife has a positive impact on a person's mental health. By maintaining healthy relationships and positive interactions with friends and loved ones, you contribute significantly to your overall happiness.

7. You know how to calm down when stressed

Minimizing stress levels is key to a happy lifestyle. Heidi Hanna, a scientist at the American Institute of Stress, points out that it takes strategies to help you cope with the daily stressors.

“When you see the first signs of stress, you need to have a coping strategy, because it helps your brain become more flexible. Little tricks like taking breaks or meditating will help you think more positively because your brain will be more open to the positive things around you.”

According to many studies, meditating or exercising every day not only helps reduce stress levels but also helps you feel more positive. Sharing with friends also reduces anxiety and increases your happiness level.

8. You don't care too much about material things.

Happy people know that money doesn’t create happiness, and in fact can kill it. Recent studies have found that people who pursue material things instead of spiritual fulfillment tend to feel less satisfied and have fewer positive emotions each day.

Instead of seeking material things, seek other things, like healthy relationships that have a positive impact on your life and happiness.

9. You are always optimistic

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When you are happy, you want to do everything you can to master that feeling of happiness. So when life throws hardships at you, just be happy.

An optimistic yet realistic attitude is closely linked to success and happiness, and optimists even have healthier immune systems and hearts.

If you always look on the bright side of things, even when it's a frustrating situation, you know that you're truly living happily and want to keep it that way.

10. You have a sister

You might not think your sister has much of an impact on your happiness or optimism, but a 2011 study from the University of Ulster suggests otherwise.

This study found that having at least one older sister helps both young men and women communicate more effectively with others and maintain positive emotions.

11. You make new friends easily

People want to be around people who make them feel good. In a study published in the British Medical Journal, people naturally choose to associate with happy people because it increases their own happiness levels.

Researchers found that if a friend of yours is happy, you're likely to be 15% happier than you are now.

12. You reach a goal and don't stop there.

If you are truly happy, chances are you have achieved some goal you set for yourself and you are not stopping there.

A 2011 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people who set higher goals for themselves reported being more satisfied with their lives than those who had lower expectations. And there's good reason for that.

Having a goal to work toward and achieving it helps us feel more confident in ourselves. Carleton University psychology professor Timothy Pychyl says that pursuing our passions makes us feel good.

“Pursuing our goals makes us feel happier and more satisfied with life. Positive emotions are likely to motivate the voluntary goal-directed behaviors necessary for further goals in the future.”

13. You always smile when taking pictures

Does your yearbook photo reflect your happiness level? The answer is yes. According to a study from DePauw University, adults who laughed loudly in their school photos were less likely to get divorced later in life.

The explanation is that people who smile in photos have more positive thinking and wider social networks. When facing difficulties in life, people who are positive and receive social support often overcome them more easily.

If you always smile when looking into the camera lens, chances are you are a person who lives with positive thoughts.

14. You don't have to toss and turn in your sleep

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Even if you don't feel satisfied with your life, if you don't toss and turn when you sleep, it could be a sign that you're living a happy life.

A 2013 study from Cornell University found that people who regularly experience positive emotions tend to sleep better.

Scientists studied 100 subjects and found that people who did not maintain a consistent attitude when faced with life's difficulties often had poorer quality sleep than those who had positive and stable thinking.

According to Vietnam+