7 Steps to Becoming a Happier Person

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Strategies for happiness: 7 steps to becoming a happier person
By Tom Valeo
WebMD Feature
Medically Reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks

The secret of happiness may be a mixture of simply choosing to be happy - and having the right genes. Research has shown that one’s talent for happiness is, to a large degree, determined by our genes. Dr David T Lykken, author of Happiness: Its Nature and Nurture, says, "trying to be happier is like trying to be taller". We each have a "happiness set point", the psychologist argues, and only slightly move away from it.

And yet psychologists who study happiness - including Lykken - believe we can pursue happiness. We can do this by thwarting negative emotions such as pessimism, resentment and anger. At the same time we can try to foster positive emotions such as empathy, serenity and, in particular, gratitude.
Happiness strategy 1: Don't worry, choose happy

The first step is to make a conscious choice to boost your happiness. In his book The Conquest of Happiness, published in 1930, the philosopher Bertrand Russell said, "Happiness is not, except in very rare cases, something that drops into the mouth like a ripe fruit... Happiness must be, for most men and women, an achievement rather than a gift of the gods, and in this achievement, effort, both inward and outward, must play a great part."

Today psychologists who study happiness heartily agree. The intention to be happy is the first of The 9 Choices of Happy People listed by authors Rick Foster and Greg Hicks in their book of the same name.

"Intention is the active desire and commitment to be happy", they write. "It's the decision to consciously choose attitudes and behaviours that lead to happiness over unhappiness."

Dr Tom G Stevens gave his book the assertive title, You Can Choose to Be Happy. "Choose to make happiness a top goal", says Stevens. "Choose to take
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