For many people, happiness may be more of learned trait than a natural tendency.
Research on gratitude exercises in young children is limited, but studies of adults have shown that small interventions can have a measurable influence on happiness. Gratitude journals, letters and other practices -- such as naming three good things and identifying and using personal strengths in a concrete way -- result in more happiness and fewer depressive symptoms.
About 40 percent can have their happiness strongly affected by "intentional strategies" or interventions, including acts of kindness, exercise, concentrating on the present and gratitude.