Chapter 10. How Satisfied Are You With Your Life, and How Could You Be More Satisfied?

Intro

How Satisfied Are You With Your Life, and How Could You Be More Satisfied?
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Play this brief video introduction from one of your authors, David Myers.

Test Yourself

Below are five statements that you may agree or disagree with. Using the 1–7 scale provided, indicate your agreement with each item. Please be open and honest in your responding.

Question 10.1

1. In most ways my life is close to my ideal.

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2. The conditions of my life are excellent.

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3. I am satisfied with my life.

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4. So far I have gotten the important things I want in life.

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5. If I could live my life over, I would change almost nothing.

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{true} setModel("q1", qqMC1)
{true} setModel("q2", qqMC2)
{true} setModel("q3", qqMC3)
{true} setModel("q4", qqMC4)
{true} setModel("q5", qqMC5)
{true} setModel("total", qqMC1+1 + qqMC2+1 + qqMC3+1 + qqMC4+1 + qqMC5+1)

Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larson, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75.

Your Score

How did you do?

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YOUR SCORE:

{model.total}

Scores can range from 5 to 35, with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction with life. The mean (average) score for a large sample of undergraduate students was 23.5.

Build This Strength

Would you like to increase your satisfaction with life? Here are a few tips.

YaromirM/Shutterstock

Take control of your time. Break your goals into small, manageable chunks. Rather than trying to do everything at once, focus on one task at a time. Plan your time so that you have a balance between work and the rest of life. You’ll feel less overwhelmed and get more accomplished.

Put a smile on your face. You don’t feel happy? Well, put on a happier face. Researchers have found that people who are manipulated into making a smiling expression actually feel better. (Remember the facial feedback effect?)

Get in the flow. Find activities that engage your skills and interests. If you like running, do it daily. If you like socializing, seek work and play that involve being with people. The more a task absorbs your mind—a state psychologists call flow—the happier you’ll be.

Get off the couch. Sound minds reside in sound bodies. Aerobic exercise—such as cycling, running, or swimming—calms the anxious mind and lessens depression. So, off your duff!

Get connected. Humans have a “need to belong.” Positive relationships increase positive moods. Don’t take your loved ones for granted. Put time and energy into strengthening your social connections. This investment will boost your life satisfaction.

Count your blessings. Grateful people are happy people. When we experience gratitude, we feel good. You might make a list of the five things for which you are most grateful. Or write a letter thanking someone who made a difference in your life. Even if you never send the letter, you might realize that life is better than you thought. Keeping a daily gratitude journal also improves life satisfaction.

Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larson, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49, 71–75.

QUIZ

Are you ready for the Quiz? Demonstrate and reinforce your understanding by answering the following questions.

Question

Jenckedco/Shutterstock

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2. Putting on a happy face makes us feel happier! This demonstrates the GPgc67n+wG0tZxQj/2oz6OgvpNvBJpNOqxbm6Q==L+WKoWZpSYmQczSCSOIaAIybB1CY2zM15HOPQ5N5oXg=effect.

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Correct answers
1. d. all of the above.
2. facial feedback
3. c. Being less physically active