A specialist who has been studying the philosophy of happiness for the past decade says that interpersonal relationships are the most important factor affecting our personal happiness, and recommends that people try to say ten sentences a day to increase their sense of happiness.
According to a report from CNBC’s “Make It” section, Stephanie Harrison, the founder of “The New Happy” organization in the United States and an expert in happiness research, pointed out that there are two major obstacles that impact people in establishing better interpersonal relationships, thereby hindering their pursuit of happiness.
She mentioned that one of the obstacles is that no one has ever taught us how to build healthy, supportive interpersonal relationships, treating it as a skill that needs to be cultivated like any other; and the other obstacle is that we live in a world where it’s difficult to find time to hone this skill and build relationships, often letting these skills take a back seat to work and other responsibilities.
However, the words you speak can make others feel seen, heard, and loved. By creating happiness for others, you will ultimately experience happiness yourself.
Here are the ten sentences that Harrison suggests saying each day, which can help you foster good interpersonal relationships and put into practice the knowledge you have acquired about happiness.
Even in the closest relationships, we often hesitate to share our true feelings, fearing they may become burdensome or imposed on others.
Asking this question can let the people we care about know that we genuinely want to hear about their current emotions.
Encourage the other person to further elaborate on their thoughts or feelings, showing that we truly care about them.
Taking the time to express gratitude to others not only makes them feel good but also benefits ourselves. Studies have shown that gratitude acts as a protective “stress buffer.”
We often underestimate the impact of a simple compliment.
Try to focus on a person’s inner qualities, such as their patience, kindness, or courage. In terms of interpersonal relationships, these compliments are often the most meaningful and can significantly increase satisfaction.
Our judgments of others’ mistakes are often much harsher than judgments of our own mistakes.
When possible, try to tap into your empathy, forgive them, and recognize that making mistakes is part of being human.
Forgiveness is linked to improved mental health and better job performance.
Everyone we know is striving to achieve goals that are important to them, while also facing challenges and setbacks. Our encouragement can motivate them to persevere, and also help establish more positive interpersonal relationships with each other.
Starting from the age of seven, people begin to show fear of asking for help from others, worried that it might make them appear incompetent.
Asking others this question and actively assisting them can be beneficial.
When our loved ones are suffering, we may advise them to look on the bright side and stay strong. However, these well-intentioned comments can make them feel lonely.
Instead, validate the other person’s feelings, offering support in that moment and helping them cultivate greater self-compassion.
We often take our most important relationships for granted.
To overcome this tendency, take a moment to imagine what your life would be like without that person. You may come to realize their importance anew. Don’t forget to tell them.
Nothing can replace this simplest, most straightforward way of expressing love.
Research shows that sharing love enhances the happiness, relationship satisfaction, and sense of meaning in life for both parties.
(This article was adapted from a report by CNBC Make It)