Are You Happy?

B1 – Intermediate

Knowing what happiness is can be difficult to explain. People from different situations will give different kinds of answers.

Read the article below and be ready to answer some discussion questions.

Although you may not be able to measure your happiness levels, you can still take some advice to increase the positive emotions in your life.

It’s difficult for experts to understand happiness. However, according to experts, married people are generally happier. Richer people also tend to be happier, although they then compare their wealth to their peers (and maybe don’t feel so rich). And if you live in a richer country, you’re likely happier too.

But it’s not easy to earn more money, move to a rich country, or find the perfect partner. Some things you can control include exercise, because healthy bodies and minds lead to happiness. You should also solve problems sooner rather than later. Spending time in nature also lowers stress, which might then improve happiness. Meditation is also very effective.

Source: headsupenglish.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you generally a positive or a negative person? Why do you think so?
2. Why do you think some people are so happy? Why are other people so unhappy?
3. What advice would you give to someone for a happier life? Please explain.

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14 replies on “Are You Happy?”

1. Are you generally a positive or a negative person? Why do you think so?
In the past I used to be quite negative. I think it was because I had high levels of anxiety. Currently my anxiety levels have decrease and I feel that although I am still quite realistic, I am becoming more positive.
2. Why do you think some people are so happy? Why are other people so unhappy?
I think that the context has a great influence in happiness. It is easier being happy if everything around you is ok and you don’t have any problems. However, it is not the only reason of our happoines or unhappinnes. Our mental health is also an important point. If we are phycologicaly strong we have more tools to face disapoinmets that inevitably occur in life.
3. What advice would you give to someone for a happier life? Please explain.
First of all I would tell him to think about what are the things that he doesn’t like in his life and if is he trying to change them. Then I would encourage him to set achievable goals. Anyway, I would let him see that it is better not trying to change what it is not in his hand and focus only on the things that he can improve.

Great job taking the time in writing your sentences carefully. Get on with it.

See how this sentence can be made a bit better:

First of all I would tell him to think about what are the things that he doesn’t like in his life and if is he trying to change them.

First of all, I would tell him to think about what are the things that he doesn’t like in his life and ask him if he is trying to change them.

Always have fun with your writing practice!

I´m usually an optimistic person. I always look for something positive in any situation.
I´m happy with the little things: taking for a walk in the countryside or on the beach, being with my family or having a coffee with my friends…but above all my happiness is with my son!
There are situations that sometimes make you feel unhappy, such as an discussed with your partner, when someone you love is sick or when you lose your job…but you must always look for solutions and see the positive side of enjoing life and being happy!!

Great job answering the questions on this lesson. Keep working on improving your writing.

Here’s a minor revision you can make in this sentence to make it better:

I´m happy with the little things: taking for a walk in the countryside or on the beach, being with my family or having a coffee with my friends…but above all my happiness is with my son!

I´m happy with the little things like taking for a walk in the countryside or on the beach, being with my family, or having a coffee with my friends,… but above all, my happiness is with my son!

Always enjoy practicing your writing!

1. Are you generally a positive or a negative person? Why do you think so?On a daily basis I’m a positive person , I like watching the best part of the things or person.Almost everithing has their solution
2. Why do you think some people are so happy? Why are other people so unhappy? In my view most of the people have hapiness moments and they know how to leverage. Real life ispretty much normal . Unhappy people are conditioned by external conditions like a disease, unemploymenk lack of money …
3. What advice would you give to someone for a happier life? Please explain.
In my view you need to do funny things or something that fills you up as a person

I like watching the best part of the things or person.Almost everithing has their solution

I always like looking for the good in things or people. I believe every problem has a solution.

Keep writing!

I am usually a positive person but no allways get, specially when I see situationes unfair , like umployment, drugs use , illnes etc, I feel very negative.

There are different ways to be happier . Some people find happiness in relationships with other, specially from family and friends, while other people depend on succes and material things.

I think that happines is an actitud.
you should try don’t have afraid and you are always to be yourself and you don’t mind telling people about yoy

Welcome to the Phoneenglish blog. Many thanks for taking part in the discussion on our blog.

See how this sentence can be revised:

you should try don’t have afraid and you are always to be yourself and you don’t mind telling people about yoy

You should try not to be afraid and you are always to be yourself, and you don’t mind telling people about yourself.

Keep doing this exercise to practice your writing skills more and more.

It is good to have you on the Phoneenglish blog. Thank you for sharing your answers to our questions.

Here is a sentence you can write better:

I am usually a positive person but no allways get, specially when I see situationes unfair , like umployment, drugs use , illnes etc, I feel very negative.

I am usually a positive person but of course, I do not always feel happy especially when I see unfair situations, like unemployment, drugs use , illnesses, etc, I feel very negative.

Here’s to more entries from you!

Hi everyone,

My thoughts,
1. I’m usually a positive person, because I prefer to focus on what can I do to improve rather than think about negative scenarios.

2. I think that happiness is not a state, so people that manage to do things that enjoy are closer to happiness even if there are small things, like eat a meal that you like or go out with your friends. On the other hand, I think that people that feel unhappy are focus on the negative aspects of their life and stop enjoy the little things on their daily basics.

3. Stop worry about things that you can’t control, try to get small things that make you happy and see what you can do to improve one thing at a time.

We appreciate you taking the time in answering the discussion questions for this lesson. Well done!

Here is how you can make this sentence a bit better.

I’m usually a positive person, because I prefer to focus on what can I do to improve rather than think about negative scenarios.

I’m usually a positive person, because I prefer to focus on what I can do to improve rather than think about negative scenarios.

Until you next entries then!

Hi, Jen,
I so sorry but I can’t read the article because the link show me this message: “Database connection error (1): The MySQL adapter ‘mysql’ is not available.” Anyway I am going to try asnwer the questions.

1. Are you generally a positive or a negative person? Why do you think so?

I think in this moment of life I am really positive person. I am very happy with my life but in the past, to get what I have I had to be positive.
2. Why do you think some people are so happy? Why are other people so unhappy?
Exists a lucky factor because a lot of peaple have very hard life and is difficult be happy. But with the same luck some people can be happy and another people not. I think is an actitude.

3. What advice would you give to someone for a happier life? Please explain.
Not watch what has other people and if you are going to compare do it too your good or lucky things.

Hi, please try accessing it again now. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for still answering the questions on this lesson.

Here is how you can improve this sentence:

Exists a lucky factor because a lot of peaple have very hard life and is difficult be happy.
I think there is the luck factor because a lot of people have very hard lives and it is difficult for them to be happy.

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