We’re all bombarded with advice on how to be happier: exercise more, nurture relationships, practice gratitude. True, these timeless pillars of well-being matter deeply, but fresh research from psychology and neuroscience reveals fascinating, unexpected activities that act like hidden shortcuts to happiness—simple, sometimes quirky habits that can boost your mood and sense of fulfillment in surprising ways.
Beyond the Basics: What Science Really Says About Happiness
Studies from leading universities like New York University, University of Miami, and the University of Bristol’s “Science of Happiness” program show that novelty and variety energize the brain’s reward circuits, lighting up regions involved in motivation and joy whenever you add a dash of unpredictability to your day. Even small changes—taking a new route, trying a different activity—activate the hippocampus and striatum and elevate mood.
Human connection remains essential, but not only through deep friendships. Brief, positive interactions with strangers—a smile to a barista, a nod to a fellow commuter—have measurable uplifting effects on your happiness. Social psychology research confirms: acting a little more extroverted at times genuinely lifts emotional well-being.
On the emotional side, science also honors complexity. Watching sad movies, for instance, might sound counterintuitive as a happiness booster, but studies show that catharsis and emotional processing through poignant stories increase feelings of connection and meaning. Similarly, doing mundane chores isn’t just about productivity; it offers grounding mindfulness, a sense of control, and subtle joy.
The Quirky Seven: Unexpected Happiness Triggers
Building on the above, a curious list popularized by Cracked.com distills seven happiness boosters you probably wouldn’t expect:
1. Watching Sad Movies: Emotional catharsis enhances meaning and empathy.
2. Eating Red Meat: Nutrients like iron and B vitamins support mood and brain function.
3. Keeping Your Mind Busy: Engaging in absorbing mental tasks unlocks “flow” states.
4. Getting into Fights (Constructively): Healthy conflict clarifies values and nurtures authenticity.
5. Riding the Subway: Shared communal experiences subtly foster belonging.
6. Doing Chores: These provide structure, accomplishment, and meditative calm.
7. Thinking About Death: Reflecting on mortality deepens appreciation and purpose.
A Day Designed for Happiness: Science’s “Cheat Code” in Action
Kick off your day with a refreshing walk down an unfamiliar path to spark your brain’s reward centers, followed by a nourishing breakfast featuring some iron-rich red meat to fuel your mood. While commuting or grabbing lunch, strike up a brief, friendly chat with a stranger—the kind of small talk that surprisingly lifts spirits—and pair it with a touch of bittersweet emotion by watching a poignant movie clip or listening to moving music. Dive into a captivating hobby or task that completely absorbs your mind, then find a few mindful moments in doing chores to ground yourself with a sense of accomplishment. In the evening, relax with loved ones, embracing honest conversations—even the occasional disagreement that deepens connection—and wrap up the day by reflecting on life’s bigger picture, appreciating the present moment before a calming meditation sends you off to restful sleep. This blend of novel experiences, social spark, emotional depth, and mindful routine is science’s “cheat code” to a happier, richer life.
Why These Work: The Neuroscience of Joy and Connection
At the core, these activities tap into fundamental human needs:
– Variety and novelty stimulate dopamine-based reward pathways, giving you a fresh dose of excitement and motivation.
– Social connection reduces loneliness and fosters feelings of belonging, crucial for well-being.
– Emotional complexity and catharsis build resilience and deeper meaning.
– Mental engagement unlocks flow, a state linked to happiness.
– Routine tasks provide a sense of control and accomplishment.
– Mortality reflection encourages meaning-making and presence.
Final Thoughts
Happiness isn’t just about big life changes or slogans. It’s about the rich texture of everyday moments—quirky, surprising, and deeply human. By consciously weaving in novelty, social warmth, emotional honesty, and meaningful reflection, you can hack your happiness in ways science now validates.
So try swapping your usual commute route, chat more with strangers, watch that tearjerker, or do your dishes a little more mindfully. You might be stunned at how these seemingly simple “cheat codes” change your day—and your life.
Sources:
– Hartley & Heller, NYU & University of Miami (2020). Novelty and Reward Processing in Happiness. Nature Neuroscience.
– Dr. Bruce Hood, University of Bristol (2025). Science of Happiness program.
– Rohrer et al. (2025). Cognitive Engagement and Flow States. Psychological Science.
– Cracked.com. “7 Things You Won’t Believe Science Says Make You Happy.”
– BBC Future (2025). “Eight Ways to Stay Happier This Year, According to Science.”
– New York Times Magazine (2025). “How Nearly a Century of Happiness Research Led to One Big Finding.”
2 comments
#6 red meat has a lot of protein. I eat it, not consistently, only sometimes. I always say thanks to the animal. I believe its soul knew before it was born on Earth that it’s going to be sacrificed, and yet it was so generous of them to come.
#5 yes, i can testify to that. Sudoku keeps my mind busy.
#4 no, i’ll pass on this one. Friendly competitions – okay
#3 I wonder – would the skytrain qualify too?
#2 yup, yuckup 🙂
#1 interesting, i’ll try it.
animals’ souls also know, before birth, that there are many possible time lines: one would have been that people became mostly vegetarian. Another one – lacto vegetarians. Another one – vegans. Yet another one – breatharians. But the present one – many of us are meat eaters, and red meat makes us happy… Thank you so much, gentle cow, i love you.