Nowadays, everyone is on a quest for happiness, but how can you make yourself happier?What is the secret to contentment? Non-fiction and self-help books are more popular than ever before as people look inwards rather than outwards to find a source of true happiness. Unfortunately, complete happiness seems to be rather elusive and some people spend all their time searching for it only to become increasingly disillusioned when they can’t find it.
There are things you can do to make happiness more likely. Simple changes in your life can make a huge difference to your state of mind and mental wellbeing. If you are frustrated with your quest for happiness here are some ways you can bring more of it into your life without actively seeking it per se.
Exercise Regularly
I know it sounds like a cliché but regular exercise really does make you happier. On a chemical level, the endorphins that are released when you exercise make you feel happy. But, that’s not all. On a psychological level you also feel happier because you are doing something good for your body. On top of all of that, exercise takes your mind off any problems that might be bothering you. So, it’s an all-round winner.
Spend Time With People You Love
Whether it is your family or your close friends, spending time talking to people you care about can really put a smile on your face. This doesn’t mean making time every other day to go out for dinner or drinks. A simple phone call is sometimes all it takes to completely change your mood around.
Do Things You Love But Don’t Binge
It is no surprise that doing things you love makes you happy. Everyone knows that. But, in order for it to make you happy and keep you happy is to ration your intake. Whether it’s Netflix, drinking, reading, or anything else, try to do it in moderation. Addiction and excess can turn something you enjoy into an enemy very quickly. Life is about balance after all.
Tell Yourself You Are Happy
Look for all the good things in your life and point them out to yourself. Don’t be shy. When we feel sad and we tell ourselves we are sad we fuel the emotion and in doing so perpetuate it. Smile and think about all the good things in your life. Eventually the bad feelings will melt away, if only temporarily and you will go from pretending to be happy, to actually happy.
Be Aware of How You Feel
If you start to feel unhappy have a think about exactly what it is that is making you feel that way. Firstly, how do you feel? Do you feel sad? Anxious? Nervous? Depressed? Once you have put a label on it, work out what has triggered that emotion. Being rational and seeing things as they are is a good way to step out of your own head and stop the feeling from consuming you.
Set Yourself Easy Goals and Then Achieve Them
Goals can be as simple as finishing the book you are reading by the end of the day or cooking your favourite meal for dinner. They don’t need to be intimidating, like losing a stone or buying a house. Set yourself small, achievable goals on a regular basis and then enjoy the feeling of having completed them.
Accept Your Lack of Control
People tend to feel unhappy when they don’t have control over certain aspects of their life. Unfortunately, we don’t have control over anything except ourselves and as much as it might annoy you that it is raining or that your train is delayed, there is absolutely nothing you can do to change it. Therefore, it is a waste or your precious time and energy to get upset about. Simply accept it and move on. This is guaranteed to bring you more happiness.