How can you be happier? U.C. Berkeley's Greater Good Science center gathered data on the top research projects about happiness last year. Number one is, it takes time to make true friends. Students need 120 hours to move from casual acquaintances to true friends while adults need 164 hours...so take the time to get to know someone.
The journal Nature Communications did a study on sleep and found when we don't get enough, we avoid people. Lack of sleep can lead to loneliness so get your eight hours so you can have the energy to make new friends and be happier.
Finally, (and this one isn't shocking), looking at your phone makes hanging out with you less fun. The study published by the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology shows meals, conversations, are all perceived to be more fun when you put your phone down.