Cats have it pretty easy: all it takes to please them is some quality petting time, a saucer of milk, and a nap in the sun. Humans are decidedly more complex, although napping in the sun sounds pretty appealing!
Shopping for a new item of clothing or the latest music from your favorite artist will bring you happiness — temporarily. For a more permanent affect, studies show that purchasing gifts for others (“prosocial spending”) dramatically increases an individual’s happiness.
What if we spent our time to help someone else? One hundred hours a year seems to be the “magical number of giving” that positively affects the giver’s well-being. One hundred hours is equivalent to about two hours a week, allowing the giver to donate a lot of their time without feeling overwhelmed. Be a cool cat and start now! What are some ways you can give two hours a week to others?
Related articles
- 10 Simple things you can do today that will make you happier, backed by science (Buffer)
- The One Percent Difference (Philanthropy in AAction)
Photo courtesy CyboRoz on Flickr