According to the study, which was published in Feb. 2021 in The Journal of Positive Psychology, happiness doesn’t come from spending $5 on something for yourself; it comes from buying something for your dog. The researchers behind the study performed two experiments, the first of which involved 159 dog owners who were asked about a time they spent money—around $5—on themselves, another person, or their pet. After they recalled what they had purchased, they answered questions to determine how happy they were at that moment. It turned out people felt happiest when thinking about spending money on their dogs.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb Next, the researchers recruited 188 pet owners who were given $5 and were randomly told to spend the money on either themselves, someone else, or their pet before 8 p.m. that night. Following their shopping trip, they were asked to complete a survey. Again, the results showed that the people who were asked to spend money on their pets reported feeling happier than those who spent the five spot on themselves or on someone else. And guess what? Those pet owners who had already given their dogs the gift reported feeling the happiest of all—no doubt savoring the licks of gratitude. So, the next time you find an Abraham Lincoln in an old coat pocket, treat Fido to a new chew toy—it’s sure to make both of your days. And for more research-based ways to smile more, here are 50 Happiness Hacks That Are Entirely Backed by Science.
