It’s a far easier habit to form than skipping cookies or skipping rope. And it’s helped motivate me to do those harder things like dieting, working out and working hard. It’s even got the imprimatur of double blind scientific studies to back it up. It’s called sleep, of course, and I’m here to tout it, and a related practice, as the next best things to sliced bread, and less fattening, too.

When we are children, the world is our oyster and it is ours for the taking. As children, we were constantly dreaming of the all the wonderful things we would do in our lives, and there seemed to be no restrictions. We could be and do anything in our own minds.

In the Cornell University Legacy project, we’ve spent the past six years asking over 1200 of the oldest Americans for their advice to younger people on living a happier and more fulfilling life. And they see this prevalent attitude as a mistake [...]

One obvious reason to pursue the joy of learning is for one to qualify oneself for better employment. Economic statistics state that educated workers with a bachelor's degree in the United States earn around 60 percent more than those with a high school diploma.Adding to the happiness of extended education, the economic benefits of doing so are limitless. While money is a positive thing, it does not always equate to happiness for individuals [...]

The feel-good sensation after you give someone on the street a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly morning actually has a name: the “helper’s high.” According to The New York Sun, psychologists say that charitable actions induce endorphin activity in the brain—these are the body’s natural “happy hormones” that are released when we exercise or eat chocolate.[...]

Express love and gratitude often. What you say could intensify what you feel. So when you say “I love you” often, it becomes a reaffirmation as much as it is just words. The same with saying “thank you” makes you happy. Speaking the words open that door of realization why you’re grateful, and then increase your appreciation for the kind or generous act toward you. [...]

A friend of mine (who I’ll call John) recently told me an interesting story. He told me that he has a friend (who I’ll call Adam) that isn’t smart and is ugly. John and Adam would go out and Adam showed him gorgeous women and told him that he would date them. Sure enough by [...]