5 apps and video games that will make you happier

1. Happier

This app was created to “help you find more moments of joy, kindness, and meaning in your everyday life,” its founders claim. Happier is a big community of users, who share life moments that make them feel happy every day. People can find inspiration by observing other profile pages and then start doing things that make them feel good. On the app’s website you can also find some useful advise on how to change your life for the best. Happier was noted by Time magazine as one of the best applications of 2013.

2. Endless Ocean

Scientists at Ohio State University have confirmed that relaxing video games make people happier. Researchers asked students to play “Endless Ocean” (relaxing), “Super Mario Galaxy” (neutral) and Resident Evil 4 (violent) fora short period of time. Participants were then asked how they felt afterwards. Those who played “Endless Ocean” have showed great results in happiness and kindness.

3. Headspace

Meditating can help increase happiness and promote positive thoughts, as confirmed by psychological research. Headspace offers usersthe chance to reduce your daily stress with the help of this method. Meditation could last from 10 minutes to an hour and after several sessions,
you will improve your self-awareness, focus and perspective. Headspaceis endorsed by chefJamie Oliver and the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson.

4. Angry Birds

Scientists at Radboud University Nijmegen in the Netherlands have confirmed simple games that are easy to access and can be played quickly, such as “Angry Birds,” can improve players’ moods, promote relaxation and ward off anxiety. “If playing video games simply makes people happier, this seems to be a fundamental emotional benefit to consider,” says study leader Isabela Granic in an article for American Psychologist journal in 2014.

5. MyMoodTracker

This application allows you to keep track of yourfeelings by linking a relevant mood symbol to the things you do, places you visit and people you spendtime with. MyMoodTracker can also collect information on your sleep patterns and exercise. Once you’ve noticed that something makes you happy, the app remembers the special moment, so that it can be recalled in the future.

– By Dmitry Belyaev