Scientific studies have concluded that letting go of perfectionism, seeking greater social interaction, and fostering forgiveness can significantly improve mood and enhance mental health. According to Psychology Today, there are three insights that can help unlock happiness when one is in urgent need of it.
**1. Avoid Constantly Seeking Perfection**
Research has shown that setting ideal standards and goals has many benefits, but it can also lead to feelings of overwhelming, inadequacy, and regret when those standards are not met. A study published in the journal *Research in Personality* identified three forms of perfectionism: self-oriented perfectionism, which is the tendency to seek perfection in oneself; socially prescribed perfectionism, which is the inclination to believe that others expect one to be perfect; and other-oriented perfectionism, which involves expecting perfection from others. The research suggests there are better ways to maintain well-being and motivate those around us without striving for perfection. Letting go of ideal ideals can relieve psychological burdens and allow individuals to appreciate the simple joy of "achieving something" instead of feeling pressured and stressed by the need for "doing it well and perfectly."
**2. Be Socially Natural**
A large body of research indicates that social interactions with peers are a guaranteed way to enhance mood. Increased social engagement can greatly improve the well-being of introverted individuals or those experiencing high levels of social anxiety. For instance, a recent study published in the journal *Anxiety Disorders* found that individuals with social anxiety derived the same level of enjoyment from spending time with others as their more socially inclined counterparts. Researchers, led by Fallon Goodman from the University of South Florida, stated that "good connections with others serve as a reliable strategy for improving mood." Other studies have indicated that extroverts are particularly adept at self-care due to their tendency to spend time engaging with others. The researchers added that individuals with high extroversion are likely to have a wide social network, be more inclined to initiate contact with others, spend free time socially interacting, and accept invitations to social events—activities that boost mood and fulfill the human need for connection.
**3. Embrace Forgiveness**
It is a common human trait to want to hold others accountable for their actions, yet forgiveness can be a way to encourage cooperation, interaction, accountability, and productive behavior, according to a new study published in *Personality and Social Psychology*. To reach this conclusion, researchers led by Karina Schumann from the University of Pittsburgh divided participants into two groups. One group was asked to imagine being insulted by a colleague and then forgiving them, while the other group imagined being insulted and punishing or reprimanding the colleague. The findings revealed that participants who imagined punishing the colleague felt dehumanized compared to those who forgave them. Schumann noted that "this pattern of results suggests that forgiveness can restore the humanity of victims after their sense of humanity has been harmed by an offense or wrongdoing."
