Happiness is a goal that everybody seeks out for their life. The things that make a person happy will vary, but you can be sure that the pursuit of happiness is something everyone is after. For many, that’s easier said than done.
Fortunately, experts have devoted a lot of time and effort into studying happiness and what makes a person feel it. There is more research being done all the time, so new happiness information is often made available. By studying this information, you can learn proven ways to be happy and stay that way for your entire life.
Here is what the experts say can make you happy all day, every day.
Practice Gratitude
You might wonder how being thankful could make your life happier, but it’s true that being thankful can lead to a happier life. When you make a point to identify what you are grateful for, it helps you stay in a positive state of mind despite downfalls and setbacks.
Science says that making a point of being grateful all the time is one simple way to make your entire life happier. A proven way to do this is to carry a journal with you. Anytime you feel thankful for something, you can record it in your notebook.
This allows you to acknowledge the thing you’re grateful for at the time and gives you a chance to look back on it when you need to feel grateful down the road. Things to write down include life events, compliments you receive, getting a day off, time spent with loved ones, a good meal and so on and so forth. The more you are grateful, the easier it will come to you as you continue living your life.
Foster Your Friendships
Your personal friendships are something you need to nurture and foster because close relationships can keep you feeling happy, even when life isn’t going your way. Good quality friendships can help you stay joyful, but they require attention and work. You can’t let your friendships fall by the wayside or they won’t play a role in a happy life.
Experts say that you must make time to talk and spend time with your friends. That time allows you to be with people who understand and support you and that can hold you up during the good times and the bad ones. Block out time in your schedule to foster those friendships, and your life will be happier for it.
Go Outside
There is extensive research that proves that spending time in nature can improve your mood. That is why making a point of going out in nature is important for a happy life. This might be something like a walk on your lunch break, a weekend hike with friends or a day at the zoo.
If you can’t get outside, research shows that just viewing nature pictures can make you feel happy again. If the weather is yucky or you are too busy to get out, cue up a nature slideshow on your laptop to feel instantly happier.
Fit In A Workout
Exercise boosts endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that make you happy and dull pain. People often report that starting a new exercise routine boosts their happiness levels. In fact, studies have shown that working out is an effective way to battle depression when combined with other mental health treatment.
Incorporate exercise into your daily routine, and you should notice a happier life in just a few days. An added perk is that exercise boosts overall health, which can also make you feel happier as you live your life.
Learn To Say No
People who live a life where they never say “no” and always overextend themselves are not all that happy. When you learn to say “no” to things that don’t make you happy or that you simply don’t have time for, you can live a happier life.
Obviously, you can’t say “no” to your job or your household responsibilities, but you can decline a Friday night invitation when you’d rather go home and watch a movie, and you can turn down an invitation to an event that takes you away from your family. Learning to say “no” isn’t easy, but you’ll be amazed at how much happier you feel when you get into the habit.
Get More Sleep
When you sleep, your body restores itself, and skimping on shut-eye can translate into poor mood or even depression. Most people need seven to nine hours every night, so if you’re not clocking that number, it’s time to give your sleeping habits a makeover.
Most experts recommend scaling back your bedtime by 15 minutes at a time for a few weeks. This makes it easier to sleep more without totally compromising your schedule. The occasional late night won’t wreck your happiness, especially if you’re doing something you love, but making it a habit can really get you down.
Listen To Music
There are multiple studies that prove that listening to music can make you feel a lot happier. Turn up the tunes that you love, and you’ll notice an instant mood boost. You can crank the tunes at work, in the car and at home as the situation allows.
Music helps relieve stress and cuts down on sadness and a poor mood. You can’t cure depression with the radio or your playlist, but it can certainly make life worth living when you listen on a regular basis.
Go To Yoga Class
Yoga poses are a great way to relieve stress. When you do yoga, you are forced to concentrate on what you’re doing, and you have to center your breathing. This helps gives you a sense of calm and relaxation.
Studies show that people who do yoga on a regular basis are happier than people who don’t go to the studio or only practice yoga sporadically. Look for yoga classes at studios in your area, or stream one on the television that you can do at home.
Eat A Healthier Life
The right nutrients support a great mood and a happy life, so it makes sense that overhauling your meal plan can help you live a happier and healthier life. A well-balanced diet that includes fruits, veggies, lean protein, low-fat dairy and whole grains is a great start.
Omega-3 fatty acids are a specific nutrient that can help you stay happy and that play a role in a good mood. Fatty fish like salmon, trout and mackerel, as well as nuts and avocados, are great sources of omega-3s. A supplement is also a great way to satisfy your daily intake recommendations.
A happy life isn’t out of reach, and making some tweaks to your lifestyle can help you live the one you want. Start slow and add a new habit to your life a little at a time, and you won’t feel like the effort is too much. If you still struggle with happiness, consider seeing a mental health professional to rule out a specific mood disorder.
