--- ---  # Here Are 7 Things That Will Make You Happier in 7 Seconds, According to Research by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker May 12, 2015 4:01 AM UTC  Crossword and pen Crossword and penGetty Images by [Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker May 12, 2015 4:01 AM UTC * Think about something you love. [Imagine how you would feel if you lost it](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/how-to-make-yourself-happier-in-just-a-few-se). Now be happy you have it. [Research](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/how-can-you-seize-the-day-and-enjoy-life-more) shows [savoring](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/what-can-we-learn-from-the-happiest-people) has powerful affects on well-being. * Take a nap. [Studies](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/does-being-tired-make-it-hard-to-be-happy) show we can process negative thoughts just fine when we’re exhausted — but not the happy ones. * Smile. Happy or not, just smile. [Studies show](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/can-you-improve-your-mood-just-by-smiling) it can trick your mind into thinking you feel good. And it has [plenty of other benefits](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/5-reasons-to-smile-today-that-arent-corny). * Hug someone. Corny? Maybe. But it [works](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/do-hugs-really-make-us-happier). * [Share the best event of your day](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/how-to-improve-your-relationship-in-5-seconds) with your romantic partner and have them do the same. * Work on a hard problem that makes you think. [Studies show](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/how-can-you-free-yourself-from-an-angry-or-de) if your brain is dedicated to a mental chore, it can’t bother you as much with distressing emotions. * Send someone a [thank you email](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/what-are-two-easy-ways-to-make-yourself-much). Research shows [gratitude](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/what-should-you-absolutely-not-forget-to-do-t) is one of the most powerful keys to happiness. **Join over 180,000 readers. Get a free weekly update via email** [**here**](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD)**.** **_This piece originally appeared on_** [**_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/04/what-are-seven-things-that-can-make-you-happi/)**_._** Related posts: [New Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More Successful](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/09/be-more-successful/) [The 8 Things The Happiest People Do Every Day](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/06/happiest-people/) [How To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done – 5 Expert Tips](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/08/how-to-stop-being-lazy/) ### 5 Horrible Habits You Need to Stop Right Now  Do Not Email First Thing in the Morning or Last Thing at Night “The former scrambles your priorities and all your plans for the day and the latter just gives you insomnia,” says Ferriss, who insists “email can wait until 10am” or after you check off at least one substantive to-do list item. Chris Pecoraro—Getty Images  Do Not Agree to Meetings or Calls With No Clear Agenda or End Time “If the desired outcome is defined clearly… and there’s an agenda listing topics–questions to cover–no meeting or call should last more than 30 minutes,” claims Ferriss, so “request them in advance so you can ‘best prepare and make good use of our time together.'” Sam Edwards—Getty Images/Caiaimage  Do Not Check Email Constantly Batch it and check it only periodically at set times (Ferriss goes for twice a day). Your inbox is analogous to a cocaine pellet dispenser, says Ferriss. Don’t be an addict. Tools like strategic use of the auto responder and Boomerang can help. Jetta Productions—Getty Images  Do Not Carry a Digital Leash 24/7 At least one day a week leave you smartphone somewhere where you can’t get easy access to it. If you’re gasping, you’re probably the type of person that most needs to do kick this particular habit. by nacoki ( MEDIA ARC )—Getty Images/Flickr RF  Do Not Let People Ramble Sounds harsh, but it’s necessary, Ferriss believes. “Small talk takes up big time,” he says, so when people start to tell you about their weekends, cut them off politely with something like “I’m in the middle of something, but what’s up?” But be aware, not everyone agrees with this one (and certainly not in every situation), and you may want to pay particularly close attention to norms around chit chat when traveling internationally. Reza Estakhrian—Getty Images _Read next:_ [_6 Foods That Can Make You Happier_](http://time.com/3848925/foods-happiness/?iid=time%5Freadnext) [_Listen to the most important stories of the day._](http://time.com/newsletter/the-brief/autoplay/?xid=spl-fullbrief-article) Here Are 7 Things That Will Make You Happier in 7 Seconds, According to Research ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3852402/quickly-make-yourself-happier/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3852402/quickly-make-yourself-happier/"},"headline":"Here Are 7 Things That Will Make You Happier in 7 Seconds, According to Research","datePublished":"2015-05-12T04:01:06.000Z","dateModified":"2026-05-11T04:49:38.396Z","description":"Think about something you love. Imagine how you would feel if you lost it. Now be happy you have it. 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