How to be happier … it is one of the most popular questions on Google with more than 6 billion search results.
Find the silver lining. Look on the bright side. Make lemonade when life gives you lemons. Hmmm … rolling your eyes yet? Most of us want to feel really, really good. Amen to that. Here’s the thing though, most people assume that happiness is mostly a matter of inborn temperament. You’re born an Eeyore or a Tigger, and that’s that. Although it’s true that genetics play a big role, about 40% of your happiness level is within your control.
According to Gabby Bernstein, author of “Miracles Now”, fear is the sneaky thing that drains happiness and content. We get so hooked onto the fears from our past and the fears of the future that we disconnect with the present moment. Truth is most of us tend to let our circumstances choose our attitude for us; we’re in a good mood as long as everything runs smoothly, right?
How content are you really? Is there a formula out there? The answer is yes - and surprisingly - no prescription drugs are needed. Real happiness – the kind that leaves you feeling ridiculously giddy and radiant - isn’t about the occasional big-ticket bliss experiences, like falling head over heels in love or landing your dream job. It’s about the simpler moments of joy in life, the ones that come around every day.
Experts insist that we can find our way to the sunnier side of the street by simply making a few tweaks:
- Expect something wonderful to happen every day.
- Create a ritual. Start every morning with good coffee or set up a weekly mani- pedi. Life is totally random and unpredictable, but having something constant that you enjoy will keep you grounded and give you a sense of well-being.
- Move closer to work. Driving in traffic is a different kind of hell every day. Long commutes can affect your mood dramatically.
- Approve of yourself. Don’t believe everything you think.
- Dump your diet. Really who’s ever happy on a diet? Eat wholesome, healthy foods.
- Thank your lucky stars. Focus on what you have, not what you don’t have.
- Find the work/life balance. Choose to slow down and savour the things that make you happy, linger on those a little.
- Go out on a school night. Spend more time with the people you love.
- Don’t dwell on things that you could’ve, should’ve done. Accept what you cannot change.
- Plan something. Make dinner reservations or buy concert tickets; when you preplan a fabulous future, you sweeten your outlook on life.
- Just say “Ohm” … Research suggests that people who meditate regularly have more positive emotions than those who don’t.
- Exercise often. It is one of the most dependable mood-boosters. Even a 10 minute walk can brighten your outlook.
- Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. It’s okay to fake it; just going through the motions will trigger feelings of joy.
- Choose to be kind to people. In life, you get what you put in.
- Take a break from social media. Science backs the fact that social media has a negative effect on happiness.
So, choose happiness. Sure, it isn’t always easy, but it is always, always an option.
Source: www.purposefairy.com, www.huffingtonpost.com, www.sparkpeople.com, www.positivityblog.com, www.pickthebrain.com, www.inc.com, www.healthfitnessrevolution.com, www.webmd.com, www.lifehack.org, www.successconciousness.com, tinybuddha.com, advancedlifeskills.com, wingsfortheheart.com, cosmopolitan, lifehacker.com, psychologytoday.com, realsimple.com, forbes.com, www.womanshealthmag.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
