Factors of happiness

2. Exercising: running and training my body

The second biggest factor of my happiness is exercising. What does this mean? If you have a look at the word cloud, you'll see clear proof of this happiness factor. I love to challenge my body, and running is one of my biggest passions. In addition, I sometimes work out, go on hikes and enjoy swimming when I can.
These factors have all greatly contributed to my happiness. In fact, just running along has influenced my happiness on 675 days during the last 10 years. It really is one of the biggest factors of my happiness!
Don't believe me? This is me, running the Rotterdam Marathon in 2016!

3. Relaxing: being worry-free and relaxed

After exercising and spending time with my girlfriend, the biggest factor of my happiness is relaxing.
What does this mean? It means spending time on things that I necessarily have to do. Therefore, relaxing is quite an ambiguous term, since its definition changes from person to person. What does relaxing mean to me?

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  Reading a book.
  
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  Browsing Reddit.
  
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  Enjoying a walk outside.
  
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  Watching soccer or Game of Thrones.
  
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  Laughing at stupid Youtube videos.
  
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  Etc.
  
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4. Work: feeling valued and developing professionally

From the day I started working, I have always wondered if I really enjoyed my job. Was I happy with my work, or did I only work for the money? More importantly, how much happiness am I sacrificing for my work?
It turns out that my work has influenced my happiness on 419 days over the last 10 years. This includes both negative and positive days (more on that later).
A couple of years ago, I analyzed just how happy at work I really am and came to the conclusion that I have it pretty good. Even though it's sometimes too busy and deadlines are often stressing me out, I feel valued and am able to develop myself professionally every single day. That's why this is my 4th biggest happiness factor.