Happiness

Children with pet dogs had fewer behavioral problems, got along better with their peers, and engaged more in prosocial behaviors such as sharing, helping, and comforting than children whose families didn't own dogs.

Procrastinating studying for exams by going on Facebook made anxiety worse for undergraduate students.

Children who felt more connected to nature were more likely to perform sustainable behaviors such as reducing waste, helping someone in need, and treating all people equally, which in turn increased happiness.

Experiences that elicit feelings of awe, such as viewing nature or art, may encourage a sense of belonging to something larger than oneself.

Online health interventions involving mindfulness exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy are likely to be effective in helping people cope with psychological trauma related to COVID-19.

Adults living in urban neighborhoods with more vegetation and birds visible in the afternoon reported lower scores for depression, anxiety, and stress levels.

People who exercise have fewer days of poor mental health, especially if they exercise 3-5 times a week for 45 minutes. The greatest benefits are from team sports, cycling, and aerobic and gym activity.

High schools in British Columbia, Canada, with Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) and anti-homophobic bullying policies in place for at least three years lowered the odds of discrimination, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts for queer students.

Talking to empathic partners about their conflicts with others can confirm their negative feelings. This can lead to more negative actions and make the conflicts worse.

Kids with higher levels of 'effortful control' (the ability to replace one emotional behavior with another) were better at suppressing negative reactions to unwanted gifts.