28-Happy People Make You Happier 2 of 2

 

Surrounding yourself with happy people will distract you from negative thoughts, like that annoying co-worker.  Happiness is contagious - scientifically speaking.  

 

Transcript:

 

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat and we’re talking about who you surround yourself with.

 

I was reading this article in Psychology King that was fascinating and I’m going to give you the cliff notes here. 

 

There are apparently a number of reasons why being around happy people makes us happier. For one, it distracts us from the negative thoughts, the annoyance at work, the email you just received.  You literally cannot be happy and mad at the same time. 

 

But what was interesting is this concept called behavioral contagion. This is the tendency of behaviors exhibited by one individual to be copied by others nearby. In other words: monkey see, monkey do. This is why it’s so difficult not to yawn when you see somebody else yawning. 

 

Now, you’re yawning… I get it. Me too.  

 

Now, I get it, we can’t always choose who we have to interact with.  But what about the people we can choose.  Perhaps we limit the time with the negative nellie and increase the time with the friend that’s supportive and happy.  That happiness will wear off on you.  It’s scientifically proven that when we are around happy people, we will be happier.   

 

I invite you to choose an interaction today, just for happiness.  Perhaps you limit one or you intentionally seek out someone that you know brings you happiness.  Either way you’re winning.   

 

Let me know how it went, DM me on social at @everydayhappinesswithkatie and join the community on the hashtags #IntentionalMargins and #everydayhappinesswithkatie on Instagram.