The Secret to Happiness – Share the positive experience!

Apparently, it does pay to “share” and “like” when you’re feeling happy. The secret to happiness is sharing the positive experience. Recent studies conducted by American psychologists revealed that a person’s positive experience about something is likely to be heightened when he talks to other people about it. The effect of the positive experience is further enhanced when the person you talk to reacts in a positive manner as well.

Five separate studies were made but the results were quite consistent. Sharing happy experiences makes you happier!

The studies

In one study, the participants were divided into two groups. In one group, the participants were told to tell other people and talk about their positive experience. In the second group, the participants were told to simply write about it in a journal or diary.

In another variation, both groups kept a journal about positive experiences and were to write about experiences they were grateful for, except that one group was also allowed to talk about the experience with their partners at least two times in a given week during the study period.

In a fifth study, the reactions of the recipients were taken into account. The recipients of the news were told to either respond with enthusiastic support or to simply act in a neutral manner upon hearing the news. The happiness levels of the participants were then measured based on the reaction of the receiver of the news.

The results are consistent

After four weeks, the participants who were able to talk or share their experience with someone else seemed to have higher satisfaction in life and felt happier and more positive overall.

In fact, the participants who directly shared positive information reported higher levels of happiness. They also scored higher happiness levels than those who simply recalled a positive experience.

What is the secret to happiness?

Based on the study, what makes the key difference in the happiness levels of those who shared their experience immediately after an event is the reaction of the other person.

When the receiver of the good news reacts in a positive manner, the other person who shared the news feels happier about it.

On the other hand, if the receiver of the news reacts in a neutral manner, the person who shared doesn’t report a significant increase in happiness levels.

Share the good, not the bad

While the study is inconclusive as to why the results are such, what is important to note is that sharing your good news with someone actually benefits you. At the same time, the reaction of the other person can also affect the overall satisfaction of the person.

Perhaps it’s a good idea to be careful whom you talk to when you share something good. After all, you don’t want Debbie Downers to rain on your parade.

Finally, it’s best to share what is good and positive in your life, rather than sharing the negative things. This seems to be a secret to happiness.

Photo Credits:
– Happy Family
– Balloons of Happiness