5 Simple Ways to Boost Workplace Happiness

Work-life balance isn’t always easy. Stress, miscommunication, and unexpected life circumstances can chip away at our sense of satisfaction both in and outside of work.
But as we’ve learned, happiness isn’t merely a feeling; it’s a science, a choice, and a lifestyle! A simple habit makes a big difference. Boost your employees’ happiness at work and at home by sharing these 5 simple tools: Savor, Thank, Aspire, Give, and Empathize. Remember, living by example makes a big difference! If your employees notice you taking advantage of these habits, they’ll be inclined to join in, too.

EDUCATE YOUR EMPLOYEES ABOUT workplace HAPPINESS

A Happify.com article, ” The 5 Skills That Will Increase Your Happiness,” offers science-based information you can share with employees to help them improve workplace happiness and overall satisfaction:

1. Savor. 

Sounds simple, right? Savoring is the simple act of mindfulness. The simple act of noticing is proven to boost optimism and reduce stress. Research by Loyola University professor Dr. Fred Bryant demonstrates that individuals who regularly savor are, “happier, more optimistic, and more satisfied with life.” According to Dr. Bryant, this process is threefold: we reminisce (savor the past), act mindfully (savor the present), and anticipate (savor the future). Bryant and fellow researcher Veroff published Savoring: A New Model of Positive Experience, and propose many approaches to the art of savoring including, “concentrating on the meaning of an activity, incorporating humor, and writing about their experience.”
Take time to notice and appreciate your surroundings, whether on the walk to your car, during a positive interaction with a coworker, or during a meal!

2. Thank. 

Often, we’re intimated by the process of thanking someone – should I buy a gift? Deliver a handwritten note? How will they respond? What if I say something wrong? We become so preoccupied with the stress of thanking that we rarely do it properly.
In reality, thanking is very simple: simply identify and appreciate. This fills us with optimism and self-confidence. It deepens our relationships. When we express our gratitude for others, we often receive kindness and gratitude in return! Psychology professor Bob Emmons, author of Thanks: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier, reports the undeniable benefits of practicing gratitude.
“First,” he writes, “the practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. Second, this is not hard to achieve. A few hours writing a gratitude journal over 3 weeks can create an effect that lasts 6 months if not more. Third, cultivating gratitude brings other health effects, such as longer and better-quality sleep time.'”

3. Aspire. 

There’s no arguing with the benefits of hope, optimism, or a sense of purpose. Time and time again, studies prove that individuals who sow meaning in their lives are happier and more satisfied (Steger, Oishi, & Kashdan 2008)! More specifically, individuals who imagine their future “in an optimistic light” experience increased levels of happiness.

“Believing that your goals are within reach promotes a sense of meaning and purpose in life—a key ingredient of happiness.”

Optimism increases self-esteem and decreases stress. It not only boosts us personally, but encourages those around us, makes our goals seems more feasible, and makes challenges easier to overcome.

“Bottom line: you’ll not only feel more successful, you’ll be more successful.” 

4. Give. 

Gratitude experts everywhere agree that generosity positively impacts receivers and givers. Not only does giving decrease stress, isolation, and anger, but it builds happiness by connecting us to our surrounding community and to new experiences. In a well-known study, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky asked students to perform five random acts of kindness every week for six weeks. Unsurprisingly, the control group exhibited an overall decrease in happiness, while those who performed kindness showed a 42% increase in happiness!
Later studies by bioethicist, altruist expert, and founder of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love Dr. Stephen Post confirms that giving delays mortality, reduces depression, and increases overall wellbeing.

“…when we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly affected.”

5. Empathize.

Empathy is a powerful word with multiple interpretations – but don’t let that scare you away! It is, simply put, the ability to care about others by imagining and understanding their thoughts, behaviors, and ideas. According to Drs. Ed Diener and Martin Seligman, strong relationships are essential to happiness (and really, who could argue?). Richard Davidson, professor of psychology at University of Wisconsin—Madison, says that the brain’s constant adaptation to environmental factors makes compassion possible not only towards others, but towards ourselves.
Research by Dr. Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion and a pioneer in the field, suggests that people who have more self-compassion lead healthier, more productive lives than those who are self-critical.
When we practice empathy, we become less judgmental, frustrated, and disappointed. We develop patience and positive bonds with others. Not only that, but by listening to others, we encourage them to listen to us as well.
Want more out of your workplace culture? Why wait! Build gratitude and happiness today! Download our free eBook, “Transform Your Workplace With Gratitude” and start transforming your workplace today!


About gThankYou, LLC
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