Science says happier people have these 9 things in common

REUTERS/Sean Yong

Take charge of your mental health.

Everybody wants to be happy.

That's why the science of happiness has gained more attention in recent years -researchers have started to produce reports on happiness around the globe, and positive psychology, which focuses on what makes individuals and communities thrive, has skyrocketed in popularity.

At this point, we actually know a fair amount about how certain behaviors, attitudes, and choices relate to happiness, though most research on the topic can only find correlations.

Researchers think that roughly 40% of our happiness is under our own control; the rest is determined by genetics and external factors. That means there's a lot we can do to control our own happiness.

Here are nine happiness-promoting behaviors backed by science.