BUOY YOUR spirits by recording happy events. People who write about all the things they are thankful for are optimistic about the upcoming week and more satisfied overall with their lives, according to a University of California, Davis, study. They also feel physically stronger. “It’s hard to be bitter and mad when you’re feeling grateful,” says Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, author of the upcoming book The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want.
But don’t overdo it. Women who kept a gratitude journal only once a week got a bigger boost in happiness than those asked to record their good fortune three times a week. Find the frequency that works for you–giving thanks shouldn’t feel like a chore.
