Thinking of positives from your past will keep you happier: Study

A new study has suggested that people who look at the past through rose-tinted glasses are happier than those who focus on negative past experiences and regrets.

The study helps explain why personality has such a strong influence on a person's happiness.  

The study examined how peoples' ratings on the "Big Five" personality traits relates to their approach to time and life satisfaction.

The "Big Five" model assesses how extraverted, neurotic, open, conscientious and agreeable a person is, and rates individuals as high or low on each personality trait rather than assigning them a personality type.

"We found that highly extraverted people are happier with their lives because they tend to hold a positive, nostalgic view of the past and are less likely to have negative thoughts and regrets,” said Ryan Howell, assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University.

"This is good news because although it may be difficult to change your personality, you may be able to alter your view of time and boost your happiness," Howell added.

The authors suggest that savoring happy memories or reframing painful past experiences in a positive light could be effective ways for individuals to increase their life satisfaction.

The study has been published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.