In the past two weeks we have looked at the happiness formula defined by positive psychologist Martin Seligman, where H (happiness) = S (your biological set point for feeling happy) + C (the conditions of your life) + V (the voluntary choices you make). Next, we'll look at the conditions in life that can improve our happiness quotient.
Step 1: Peace and quiet
Jonathon Haidt in his excellent book, 'The Happiness Hypothesis', notes that research shows that we can never completely adapt to new or chronic noise pollution. Loud noises trigger one of our most primitive fear responses (the other is the fear of falling) and we can never fully relax if we are surrounded by intrusive（打扰的） noise. Noisy neighbors are one of the most emotive causes of domestic upset for a very good reason. It is essential to have some peace and quiet every day. If you are unfortunate enough to live somewhere noisy, persist with complaining to your local council. Additionally, try wearing wax earplugs to give you some respite. If you need your TV, radio or music up loud, wearing headphones demonstrates altruism（利他主义） to your neighbors, which will make you and them feel good.
Step 2: Relationships
This is the most
Step 3: Share
If I have discovered conditions or choices in life that have significantly improved my wellbeing, I would like to share them with you. Passing on what works is essential to improve our own and the wellbeing of others.
相关单词：chronic
chronic解释：adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的
chronic例句：
Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。
相关单词：primitive
primitive解释：adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物
primitive例句：
It is a primitive instinct to flee a place of danger.逃离危险的地方是一种原始本能。
His book describes the march of the civilization of a primitive society.他的著作描述了一个原始社会的开化过程。
相关单词：fully
fully解释：adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地
fully例句：
The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
相关单词：intrusive
intrusive解释：adj.打搅的；侵扰的
intrusive例句：
The cameras were not an intrusive presence.那些摄像机的存在并不令人反感。
Staffs are courteous but never intrusive.员工谦恭有礼却从不让人感到唐突。
相关单词：respite
respite解释：n.休息，中止，暂缓
respite例句：
She was interrogated without respite for twenty-four hours.她被不间断地审问了二十四小时。
Devaluation would only give the economy a brief respite.贬值只能让经济得到暂时的缓解。
相关单词：altruism
altruism解释：n.利他主义，不自私
altruism例句：
An
Altruism is crucial for social cohesion.利他主义对社会的凝聚是至关重要的。
相关单词：bullies
bullies解释：n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负
bullies例句：
Standing up to bullies takes plenty of backbone. 勇敢地对付暴徒需有大无畏精神。
Bullies can make your life hell. 恃强欺弱者能让你的日子像活地狱。
相关单词：untold
untold解释：adj.数不清的，无数的
untold例句：
She has done untold damage to our chances.她给我们的机遇造成了不可估量的损害。
They suffered untold terrors in the dark and huddled together for comfort.他们遭受着黑暗中的难以言传的种种恐怖，因而只好挤在一堆互相壮胆。
相关单词：compassionate
compassionate解释：adj.有同情心的，表示同情的
compassionate例句：
She is a compassionate person.她是一个有同情心的人。
The compassionate judge gave the young offender a light sentence.慈悲的法官从轻判处了那个年轻罪犯。
相关单词：unconditional
unconditional解释：adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的
unconditional例句：
The victorious army demanded unconditional surrender.胜方要求敌人无条件投降。
My love for all my children is unconditional.我对自己所有孩子的爱都是无条件的。
相关单词：isolation
isolation解释：n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离
isolation例句：
The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。
相关单词：misery
misery解释：n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦
misery例句：
Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。
He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。
相关单词：squatting
squatting解释：v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。
squatting例句：
They ended up squatting in the empty houses on Oxford Road. 他们落得在牛津路偷住空房的境地。
They've been squatting in an apartment for the past two years. 他们过去两年来一直擅自占用一套公寓。 来自《简明英汉词典》
