"Think about how you might use your top five strengths in your relationship, at the office and in your free time," says Ruch. People who consistently apply "signature strengths" experience less depression and more happiness.<\/p>\n Next Page: Make tough stuff work<\/a> [ pagebreak ]<\/p>\n ![\"happiness-concert\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-concert-300x200.jpg\")
happiness-concert<\/span> [ pagebreak ]<\/p>\n![\"happiness-garden\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-garden-300x200.jpg\")
happiness-garden<\/span> [ pagebreak ]<\/p>\n![\"happiness-skill\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-skill-300x200.jpg\")
happiness-skill<\/span> ). Developed by psychologists, it takes about 15 minutes to fill out, then provides a ranked list of your 24 strongest qualities—anything from creativity to perseverance.<\/p>\n![\"tough-happiness\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Ftough-happiness-300x200.jpg\")
tough-happiness<\/span> found that the majority experienced numerous positive emotional changes, including new life priorities and more self-confidence—catalysts for happiness. "Not that we wish cancer on anyone, but it's often negative experiences that help us grow and learn, which is vital for being happy," says Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of California in Riverside and author of The Myths of Happiness.<\/i> When upheaval strikes, she says, consider how you have improved as a result.<\/p>\n
![\"happiness-talk\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-talk-300x200.jpg\")
![\"happiness-cry\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-cry-300x200.jpg\")
![\"happiness-commute-to-work\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-commute-to-work-300x200.jpg\")
![\"happiness-volunteer\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-volunteer-300x200.jpg\")
![\"happiness-smile\"](\"https:\/\/imagesvc.meredithcorp.io\/v3\/mm\/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.onecms.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F12%2F2013%2F05%2Fhappiness-smile-300x200.jpg\")