Researchers have found that different people need different things to be happy.But there are some basic things that anyone can do to become happier.Here are four areas of your life you can focus on to improve your long-term happiness.
   STAY CONNECTED
   Psychiatrist（精神病學家） Robert Waldinger directs the Harvard Study of Adult Development.One of the main findings from the study is the importance of social connections. "It turns out that people who are more socially，connected to family，to friends，to community，are happier，" says Waldinger. "They're physically healthier，and they live longer than people who are less well-connected." The happiest people meet regularly with friends and family，and support each other during difficult times.
   STAY ACTIVE
   Nic Marks is the founder of the Happy Planet Index.One of the most important ways to improve health，he believes，is to stay active — healthy people are happier people. "The fastest way out of a bad mood（情緒）." Marks says，is to "step outside，go for a walk，turn the radio on and dance.Being active is great for our positive mood."
   BUY LESS
   Think carefully before buying expensive clothes or a new car，for example.Try to spend money on things that will really enrich your life instead，such as music lessons，or a vacation with family or friends， "We need to think before we buy，" advises designer Graham Hill，and "ask ourselves： 'Is that really going to make me happier？'"
   GIVE AWAY
   Social science researcher Michael Norton has studied happiness levels around the world.He found that the act of giving money to people works on the giver as well as the receiver. "Almost everywhere we look，" says Norton， "we see that giving money away makes you happier than keeping it for yourself." The amount of money isn't so important. "What really matters is that you spent it on somebody else rather than on yourself，" he adds.Another way to give away is to donate（捐獻） your time instead of money.People who volunteer often，for example，find that it helps take the focus off their own problems and makes them feel thankful for what they have.

How to develop the long-term happiness Four professionals'（1） studies studies and their suggestions

STAY CONNECTED Robert Waldinger，a psychiatrist： *Social connections matter to our health and happiness. *（2） Compared to Compared to people who are less well-connected，people who are more socially connected are happier.

BUY LESS Graham Hillorges，a designer： *Think carefully before buying. *Pay more attention to spiritual values rather than （3） enjoy enjoy comforts like expensive clothes or a new car.

STAY ACTIVE Nic Marks，a founder： *Healthy people are happier people. *Taking physical activities is the fastest way out of a bad mood.

GIVE AWAY Michael Norton，a social science researcher： *Not only the receiver but also the giver （4） is influenced is influenced at the act of giving money. *You can either give away money or donate your time by volunteering often.

There are （5） changes changes that we can make to our lives to increase our happiness.