HAPPINESS… How to make yourself happy!
One thing I have learnt is that happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. Some people’s brains are naturally more pessimistic and are prone to high levels of neuroticism and anxiety. Scientific research has revealed that such people have greater activity in the right side of the brain, which is the part of brain associated with negativity, pessimism and a strong tendency to look on the dark side of life. Science has also shown that we can train our brain to be more optimistic and have more activity in the left side of our brain.
Here are some of the habits that happy people have that help them to live a more optimistic, happy and contented life……
1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have. Every evening before bed, write down three things you’re grateful for that occurred over the last 24 hours. They don’t have to be profound. It could be something really simple, such as taking your dog for a walk on a sunny day or finishing work early to pick the children up. When I had a particularly full and daunting week at work I would also wake up and think of three things I am grateful for that day ahead. This helps to turn any negative thoughts you may have about work into positive ones and reduce anxiety.
5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
If I feel myself getting wound up about something, I always ask myself, “will this problem matter a year from now?” If no, let it go! Life is too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others.
Being nice feels better than being mean. Gossiping is easy to get caught up in but it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about thefuture. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. There is a saying that goes something like if you are depressed, you are living in the past, if you are anxious, you are living in the future, if you are at peace you are living in the moment.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel. The biggest communication problem is that we do not listen to understand, we listen to reply.
15. Nurture social relationships.
Research shows that people that feel lonely also feel miserable. It’s so important to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to quiet their thoughts and calm their nerves.
17. Eat well.
Eating processed and junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as anti-depressants. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Accept that life can be unfair. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, or over the things you can’t change, focus on what you can change; your attitude, your mindset your energy. We can’t control other people but we can control our reactions to them.
