5 Signs You Are Genuinely Happy, According to Science

It’s easy to find a funny meme, belly-laugh for several minutes, and think this is the picture of bliss. But are you genuinely happy? Happiness comes in numerous forms. While you can’t exactly measure pleasure, science has a few tell-tale hints to assure you that yes, you’re in a good place. Here are a few signs you can say you’re genuinely happy.

Do you love greeting the sunrise? Do you commit to an early-morning ritual? You may be a chipper person! A study in Nature Communication by sleep expert Jacqueline Lane says that morning people have a lower risk of mental issues, such as schizophrenia and depression. Also, some of the many perks of early-rising include being more satisfied and generally having better well-being.

What's more, this is only just one bit of research. A Chronobiology International paper also details that night owls are more stressed, which messes up their body’s ability to work properly, potentially triggering physical and emotional problems.

Are you a happy worker? Oxford University's Saïd Business School discovered a link between happiness and productivity. The study, in partnership with telecom company BM, found that happy workers are 13% more productive than their less satisfied counterparts. You work smarter, too. The research states that they didn’t work longer hours to produce more. They just buckled down more!

So your BFF just told you she got promoted and is getting married. What’s your first reaction? A genuinely happy person’s reflex would be pride and joy. You revel in sharing in the successes of others because you’re A-okay with yourself. Feeling other emotions is okay, too – hey, you’re human – but you know not to fester in self-pity or negativity. Comparing yourself to others isn’t just something you do.

You probably know that exercise is a good way to bump up your bliss levels. After all, “exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t” – well, you know the rest. But did you know that social fitness indicates you’re in a terrific place emotionally?

Social fitness doesn’t refer to the number of friends you have on social media. It means maintaining a meaningful, regular connection whether personally or professionally. A study by the British Medical Journal says happiness is magnetic, so if you’re attracting good friends, you must be giving off a blissful aura. Likewise, you foster stronger relationships with others, and this network makes you feel loved, secure, and accepted, pushing you to be yourself and spread that love. Remember, a genuinely happy individual wants the best for the community.

People live in varying circumstances. Some may be well off, others not so much. However, your economic status shouldn’t factor in your sense of gratefulness. Whether you own three pairs of shoes or 20, you are content with what you have and don’t feel the need to one-up others. You are the embodiment of #blessed.

Now that you know the signs, are you genuinely happy? It’s okay if you feel like you still have a lot of work to do. A study in the Journal of Positive Psychology says that being happy is a choice, which begins with actually trying to be happy. Start with a little smile and watch it grow bigger as you choose bliss more and more each day.

For a more confident grin, use closeup Gel Toothpaste with Antibacterial Zinc Red Hot or closeup Gel Toothpaste with Antibacterial Zinc Menthol Fresh. They protect your teeth from cavities and feature antibacterial zinc that eliminates odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. Hey, it just might inspire you to strike up a conversation with a potential friend.

Being genuinely happy is a work in progress, and while it’s a great goal, don’t let it stop you from going after what you want, speaking your mind, and being your authentic self. Remember not to force it too much!