20 Ways to Be a Happier Person
We all want to be happy and find happiness in our lives. Search for ways to be a happier person should be something we all should be doing. Happiness is a fuzzy concept and can mean many different things to many people. Part of the challenge of a science of happiness is to identify different concepts of happiness, and where applicable, split them into their components. Related concepts are well-being, quality of life and flourishing. Some commentators focus on the difference between the hedonistic tradition of seeking pleasant and avoiding unpleasant experiences, and the eudaimonic tradition of living life in a full and deeply satisfying way.
Happiness forms a central theme of Buddhist teachings. For ultimate freedom from suffering, the Noble Eightfold Path leads its practitioner to Nirvana, a state of everlasting peace. Ultimate happiness is only achieved by overcoming craving in all forms. More mundane forms of happiness, such as acquiring wealth and maintaining good friendships, are also recognized as worthy goals for lay people (see sukha). Buddhism also encourages the generation of loving kindness and compassion, the desire for the happiness and welfare of all beings.
In today’s article we’ll be going through 20 Ways to Be a Happier Person. So if you want to be a happier person take a look at these easy steps you can take today!
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama
1. Exercise Daily
Just 7 – 10 minutes exercise a day can boost your mood. There have been countless studies that say exercise and releive stress and depression.
2. Think Positive
Take a moment each day to pause and think about the positives aspects of your life (eg. health, family, freedom etc). This will help you focus on the basics in life.
3. Meditate
Meditation can help you improve your focus, clarity and attention span. It can also help you stay calm and improves happiness.
4. Plan a Holiday
When was the last time you took a break from ordinary life? Planning a holiday can boost your happiness knowing there’s going to be a relaxing break.
5. Practise Smiling
Practising smiling may sound like a silly task, it’s most effective when we back it up with positive thoughts. A new study led by a Michigan State University business scholar suggests customer-service workers who fake smile throughout the day worsen their mood and withdraw from work, affecting productivity. But workers who smile as a result of cultivating positive thoughts–such as a tropical vacation or a child’s recital–improve their mood and withdraw less.
6. Spend time alone
Sometimes the best thing to do is spend time by yourself, this will help recharge your batteries and help you to reflect. You can try watching a movie, going out to a park, visit shops or read a book.
7. Don’t aim too high
If you aim too high, this can also cause saddness when you don’t acheive. Sometimes good enough is good enough.
8. Help Others
Take some time out of your day to help someone, whether it’s giving up your seat to someone on the bus, or helping a friend.
9. Get Outsite More
Many of us spend too much time indoors, with our jobs and house work. Going outside into fresh air improves your happeniness.
10. Laugh Outloud
Find something funny to look at like a comedian or tv show, this help raise the levels of endorphins and other pleasure-inducing hormones and lower production of stress hormones.
11. Declutter
If you have a messy room this can bring you down! By cleaning up and organising, you’ll feel less stressed and bring your mood to a happy level.
12. Get some Sleep
Many of us don’t get enough sleep with our work an daily tasks. You can try going to be an hour earlier, read your favourite book and get a good nights rest.
13. Listen to Music
Find you favourite song/s and turn up the volume! Music has the power to change our mood. Singing a way with your favourite track can help you become happier.
14. Turn Off the News
Let’s face it, the news these days can be pretty depressing. If you find that the daily news stories are bringing you down, turn it off and focus on positive thoughts.
15. Say No
Eliminate unnecessary tasks from your daily life by saying ‘no’ to people can improve your mood.
16. No Anger Before Bed
Never go to bed angry, try to forgive and forget your issues and focus on positive thoughts before bed time.
17. Make a List
Write down your goals and tasks in a list, this will help you stay focused on the important things in life.
18. Don’t Treat sadness with Food
This is an important step! Many of us treat our sad feelings with our favourite foods or drink. In return this will make us feel worse with body weight issues and low self esteem.
19. Animals
If you have a pet dog or cat, take some time to be with them whether it’s a walk or cuddle. Researchers have shown that they can increase our happiness!
20. Stop Multi-tasking
Edward Suarez, Ph.D., associate professor of medical psychology at Duke, found that people who multitask are more likely to have high blood pressure. Focus on one task at a time.
