Research has shown that expressions of gratitude and sociability, as well as behaviors such as smiling and spending money on others, are key to increasing happiness. However, practices like meditation, random acts of kindness, and volunteering have not consistently shown evidence of boosting happiness.
Researchers have found that pre-registered studies, where research plans are established in advance and cannot be modified during the study, provide more reliable results. In a study published in the Annual Review of Psychology, 48 pre-registered happiness studies were reviewed, highlighting the importance of gratitude and social interaction in promoting happiness. However, there was not enough reliable evidence to support the effectiveness of practices like mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and spending time in nature.
While some studies suggest that giving up certain activities may lead to increased happiness, such as long-term social media use or unpleasant daily tasks
