Do happiness exercises actually last?
· Source: Seligman, Steen, Park & Peterson, American Psychologist, 2005
Write down three good things a day, and you'll be happier for months. Is that true? In 2005, researchers tested five happiness exercises online, plus a placebo. Each person did one exercise for a week. Three good things a night, with what caused them, was one of the winners. People felt happier for the next six months, especially those who kept it up on their own. A thank-you letter, delivered in person, gave the biggest boost, but it was gone by three months. But later, other teams ran the test again. This time, a placebo exercise helped about as much. So maybe the habit matters more than the exact exercise. Tonight, name three good things and one line on why each happened. Then see if you want to keep going.