--- description: No theory here. No nightly exercises for months. You’re feeling sad or angry. How do you get happy fast? Sex, Exercise, Socialize When researchers... title: How to Get Happy RIGHT NOW: 7 Quick Ways to Feel Better image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- * [Ideas](/section/ideas/) ## Ideas Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Psychology](/tag/psychology/) ## Psychology Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # How to Get Happy RIGHT NOW: 7 Quick Ways to Feel Better by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jul 22, 2014 4:01 AM CUT by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jul 22, 2014 4:01 AM CUT No theory here. No nightly exercises for months. You’re feeling sad or angry. **How do you get happy fast?** ## Sex, Exercise, Socialize When researchers survey 5000 people from 83 countries, what do they learn about happiness? **We’re happiest when we’re having sex, exercising, or socializing.** Via [Engineering Happiness: A New Approach for Building a Joyful Life](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0520268210/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0520268210&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- ## Try Smiling Researchers asked people to do a bunch of different exercises to quickly increase happiness. What was most effective? **Smiling**. Via [The As If Principle: The Radically New Approach to Changing Your Life](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0061QAS3G/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0061QAS3G&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- ## Downward Comparisons Research shows comparing yourself to others can make you feel better — but only if you compare yourself [to those _worse off_ than you](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/is-there-a-quick-and-easy-way-to-overcome-dis "undefined"): --- > “” --- ## Do Your Taxes Complex cognitive tasks like doing math can [alleviate a bad mood](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/10/how-can-you-free-yourself-from-an-angry-or-de/ "undefined"): --- > “” --- ## Take A Nap Studies show we can process negative thoughts quite well when we’re exhausted — just not the _happy_ ones. So get your rest. Via [NurtureShock](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054U5ENY/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0054U5ENY&linkCode=as2&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- ## Let’s Review So, again, the seven are: 1. Sex 2. Exercise 3. Socialize 4. Smile 5. Downward comparisons 6. Do your taxes 7. Nap (I’m not recommending you try them all at the same time… but if you do, I want to hear about it.) **Join 45K+ readers.** Get a free weekly update via email [here](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD "undefined"). Related posts: [What 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/what-10-things-should-you-do-every-day-to-imp/ "undefined") [Here are the things that are proven to make you happier](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/here-are-the-things-that-are-proven-to-make-y/ "undefined") [6 ways money \*can\* buy happiness](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/04/6-ways-money-can-buy-happiness/ "undefined") _This piece originally appeared on_ [_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/ "undefined")_._ ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3015371/how-to-get-happy-right-now-7-quick-ways-to-feel-better/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3015371/how-to-get-happy-right-now-7-quick-ways-to-feel-better/"},"headline":"How to Get Happy RIGHT NOW: 7 Quick Ways to Feel Better","datePublished":"2014-07-22T04:01:10.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:54:26.810Z","description":"No theory here. 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