This article is from Chiara Fucarino. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to address those with mental illness or clinical depression.
There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be
happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief,
happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material
possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the
world could be miserable while a person living in the slums of a third
world country could be happy and content. I have spent plenty of time
amongst both groups to have seen it first hand. Happy people are happy
because they
make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.
The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their
lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will
tell you that they …
1. Don’t hold grudges.
Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than
to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings.
Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing,
including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who
has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges,
you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good
things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness.
Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind
makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain
produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits.
Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also
allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.
The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A
problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation
while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a
task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a
challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have.
There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest
people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of
everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if
you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big.
People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to
accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big,
your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from
now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over
trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely
put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others.
Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it
usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things
about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental
thoughts.
8. Never make excuses.
Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is
seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame
others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their
mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the
better.
9. Get absorbed into the present.
Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They
savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re
doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early
risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your
circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and
centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison.
Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If
you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense
of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up
feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own
progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely.
Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself
with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The
more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel
about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their
own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand
that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to
say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen.
Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’
wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the
quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships.
A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how
important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the
time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate.
Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You
don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to
silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well.
Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when
you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your
body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods,
energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind
and body in good shape.
18. Exercise.
Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much
as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a
higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally.
Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know
that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and
stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot
happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in
smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth.
Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you
unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your
mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and
never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control.
Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They
don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in
complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great
sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed.
Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at
peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just
focus on what you can control and change it for the better.
