25 Simple Rules That Will Help You Become Happier

Gretchen Rubin is a renowned researcher of human nature. In her bestseller, The Secrets of Adult Life, she outlined simple rules for making life better. CNBC shares these short rules of happiness.

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“I’ve spent 12 years studying happiness and human nature, and in my new book, The Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Reality, I share concrete, accessible tips that help solve common problems and produce immediate results,” the researcher wrote.

"Time and time again, I am amazed at how a small step can make a huge difference. Without requiring a large investment of time, energy or money, these short rules and timeless truths have made my life happier, more successful and easier," she noted.

On the subject: How much is happiness: scientists have found how income levels affect attitudes towards life

Gretchen Rubin's Rules of Happiness:

1. If you don't know what to do, go outside or go to bed.
2. Every to-do list should have one item that can be crossed off in the first five minutes.
3. If you forget that you own something, you can probably get rid of it.
4. Sometimes it's easier to organize something at the last minute than to plan in advance.
5. One way to answer a difficult question is to deliberately misunderstand it.
6. Don't buy things until you need them: keep them in the store.
7. Focus on actions, not results. (Don't try to "learn to play guitar" but instead "play guitar for 20 minutes a day.")
8. Don't wait until you have more free time. You may never have it.
9. To fall asleep faster, make sure your feet are warm.
10. If you want to do something, make it more convenient; if you want to avoid something, make it less convenient.
11. To get a quick boost of energy, do 10 jumping jacks.
12. Don't let yourself find yourself in a "empty" situation: keep gas in your car, carry snacks in your bag, charge your phone.
13. Try new things before you're 25: Many lifelong preferences are formed in youth, so try while you're young.
14. Before you accept an invitation for the future, imagine that you need to go there tonight.
15. If possible, have difficult conversations while walking.
16. Beware of "procrastination tidying" - using tidying as an excuse to put off work.
17. To get a feel for a new city or town, visit the local grocery store.
18. Don't do something that will temporarily make you feel better if it will ultimately make you feel worse.
19. If you don't know how to have fun, ask yourself, "What did I like to do for fun when I was 10 years old?"
20. If you buy something you are not sure about, take or buy the cheapest version of the thing, and if you use it regularly, then buy a new one.
21. Taking advice is a sign of respect or affection: if someone recommends a book, read it; if they recommend a TV series, watch it.
22. When explaining information or telling a story, emphasize what is interesting to the audience, not what you find fun to discuss.
23. Follow the one-minute rule: If a task can be completed in less than a minute, do it right away.
24. If you don't know what to talk about, ask: "What are you interested in right now?
25. If someone might not remember your name, reintroduce yourself.

Read also on ForumDaily:

How to Be Happy: Five Simple Ways to Solve Most of Your Problems

American Happiness Has Dropped Again: Where Are the Happiest People Living?

Ten purchases that will make you happier

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