What makes us happy?

What gives us joy? What brings us pleasure? What makes us happy? The scientist Karsten Grimm from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand decided to answer these questions. Every day for a week, the scientist sent 3 SMS messages to each participant in the study asking what he was doing at the moment and asking him to rate the degree of pleasure that this activity brings. Then the scientist analyzed the results, and what he did, read in our article.

10 PHOTOS

10. Games.

Playing games on a computer or on a game console was in 10th place among the activities that bring us a lot of joy and happiness. (Photo: moiht/flikr.com).

9. Shopping.

When we shop, we become happy. Shopping brings us joy and pleasure, though not for long. (Photo: missgeok/flikr.com).

8. Hobby and needlework.

Karsten Grimm believes that for some people who are deeply engrossed in their hobbies, a favorite activity can be the main source of happiness in life. (Photo: chelsearoberson/flikr.com).

7. Communication with friends.

Meetings and conversations with friends make us happy, who would doubt it. According to another study conducted by scientists in Germany and the United States, communication with friends was in second place in the list of activities that give people the most joy. (Photo: Meridith112/flikr.com).

6. Listening to music.

Carsten Grimm emphasizes that happiness is perceived by us as the pleasure that we receive as a result of the implementation of certain activities. It's like "eat the first piece of the desired cake." Most often, happiness is associated with sensual sensations. (Photo: Anna Federowicz/flikr.com).

5. Spending time with children.

This is probably encouraging data, because spending time with children makes adults happier than shopping, meeting friends, and playing. Interestingly, Karsten Grimm sent SMS to the participants day and night, and as it turned out, they did not part with their mobile phones for a minute. (Photo: {.erika.}/flikr.com).

4. Meditation and religious rites.

According to a scientist from New Zealand, a person can find a variety of ways to personal happiness, while increasing the feeling of life satisfaction. Meditation, prayer, and participation in religious ceremonies among survey participants ranked high as an activity that is of great importance to them and bring a lot of happiness. (Photo: Pablo Fernández/flikr.com).

3. Help others.

Any kind of help to other people brings us great satisfaction and a sense of happiness. And all because it gives meaning to our lives. “Finding the meaning of life is one way to find happiness, it can come from feeling that you are part of something bigger and doing good deeds,” explains Carsten Grimm. (Photo: Ed Yourdon/flikr.com).

2. Alcohol and parties.

The participants in the study left no doubt that fun is an important determinant of happiness: parties, parties, and alcohol. And although according to the respondents, such a pastime is of less importance in their lives than other activities, it undoubtedly brings more happiness. (Photo: Moyan Brenn/flikr.com).

1. Intimacy.

Intimate relationships were in first place in terms of the level of happiness that people bring. According to a study by Carsten Grimm, intimacy is the main source of happiness for people. Moreover, it is the most important part of the life of survey participants and brings them the most satisfaction. (Photo: JustaMonster/flikr.com).