When I was young, I thought that I will be happy once I got that promotion, made a lot of money, had a big house, etc. I was constantly chasing something, and I could never feel happy until I attained everything. Later in life, I learned that happiness isn’t about some future goals, it is a state of mind that comes within yourself and can be developed.
Here I would like to share with you some habits that you can practice to make you feel happy.
- Practice Gratitude
- Research has shown that gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions. It is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Take time to notice and reflect upon the things that you’re thankful for.
- Smile More Often
- Smiling is not always the easiest thing to do, especially when you aren’t happy, but according to research, a smile spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing hormones that increase your feelings of happiness and can also reduce stress. So next time, when you’re in a bad mood or under stress, try to look for small things to cheer you up.
- Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others
- In this age of social media, it’s easy to compare ourselves to others. Too much comparison makes us feel frustrated with ourselves for “not being good enough” and stealing our joy. Instead of comparing, learn to see your own strength and true values, you’ll see that you have a lot to be happy about
- Look For the Silver Lining
- When bad things happen and you feel miserable, look for the silver lining. It’s there for you to discover. This is how you can find peace and happiness.
- Live In the Present Moment
- I learned that happiness is found by living in the now. You’re happier if you spend less time worrying about the future or focusing on the past.
- Stop Complaining
- We all complain. Complaining is often a response to a problem or a way to communicate dissatisfaction. But complaining doesn’t solve our problems and it kills our joy. Next time you feel like complaining, focus on everything you’re grateful for.
Final Thoughts
It’s easy to think that you’ll be happy once you reach a certain milestone. But once you reach it, you’ll find yourself seeking the next hit. Happiness is a skill to be learned and developed. Start today by building some suggested habits that will help you cultivate happiness