Advice
Barry Schwartz’s The Paradox of Choice documents numerous studies in which thinking too hard about multiple choices leads people to preemptively regret the options they’re going to miss out on. This triggers a stress reaction that tends to focus narrowly on random variables — producing unwise decisions and paralysis. Those who seize the first option that meets their standards (which don’t have to be low, just defined) are happier than those who insist on finding the perfect solution.
Don’t be a lawyer.
Lawyers are 3.6 times more likely to be depressed than members of other professions, and it’s not just because their jobs are more stressful. For most people, job stress has little effect on happiness unless it is accompanied by a lack of control (lawyers, of course, have clients to listen to) or involves taking something away from somebody else (a common feature of the legal system).
Don’t dwell on your childhood.
Martin Seligman’s research suggests that rehashing events that enraged you long ago tends to produce depression rather than sweet closure and relief.
Ask for advice.
In multiple studies, subjects felt they’d be better able to predict their reaction to an experience by imagining it, rather than hearing somebody else’s testimony. Even regarding such seemingly straightforward activities as deciding whether to eat pretzels or potato chips, they were wrong.
Don’t have children.
Surveys of parents invariably find a clear dip in happiness after childbirth, which continues unabated for twenty years — bottoming out during adolescence — and only returns to pre-birth levels when the child finally leaves home.
Turn off the TV.
Seligman cites research indicating that children who develop hobbies and interests besides loitering and watching TV are much more likely to be satisfied later in life.
Get a steady job.
Some poor countries (China, Brazil) are happier than others, but few nations are mired in spiritually fulfilling poverty. Money, when used to feel secure about your ability to shelter and feed yourself, can, in fact, buy happiness.
Don’t work more than necessary.
The marginal life-enhancing value of each extra dollar quickly levels off; lottery winners are no more likely to be satisfied than anyone else.
Socialize within your tax bracket.
Being aware of how much less money one has acquired than one’s peers is quantifiably frustrating.
Join a church or a community group.
People who have more friends and belong to community-building groups are happier.
Do something less-bad last.
Adding a slightly less grueling epilogue to a grueling but valuable experience — like a workout or medical procedure — makes you more willing to repeat it in the future, even if it means an increase in the overall gruel endured.
Drink in moderation.
The ability to limit one’s indulgence is one of the baseline characteristics of happy people.