“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
Having a happier life is something we all always strive for, and being happy encompasses so many aspects—mental, physical and spiritual—of our lives.
One of the key foundations of having a happier life is to be consistent in doing things that manifest happiness. It is important to cultivate the right habits to ensure we live a happier life. Some people do it well while others don’t. What’s good to know is that everyone can be happy by incorporating some powerful habits into their daily lives.
What I’ve learned from being happy is that no matter how bad our days get, happiness can be found, especially when we consistently try to consciously be happy.
Consider these 11 habits to enhance your life and make it as happy as you possibly can.
1. Surround yourself with people who matter.
It’s amazing how much the people around us can affect our emotions. As quoted by Jim Rohn, “We are an average of the five people we spend the most time with.” Spend more time with people who matter and remove those who do not have a good and positive impact on your life. These people with positive, happy energy can bring happiness into your life just because you’re constantly surrounded by them.
2. Learn how to relax when setbacks arise.
We do not live in a perfect world. Some days are great; some days are not. Some days we think; some days we relax with a good book. Some days, the buses run extremely late, and you swear you’ll never take the public transport ever again. Accept the fact that that things may not go as planned. Instead of trying to change something you can’t, focus your energy on changing something that is within your control.
Check this out: The 5-minute Guide To Meditation: Anywhere, Anytime.
3. Laugh in the middle of a busy day.
It’s 3 PM on a Friday afternoon and you’re desperate to leave the office. On top of the work you have, you’re running close to a super important deadline. Instead of blaming everything not going your way, take a moment to laugh. Ever wondered why Friends is entertaining to watch? Because they make jokes no matter how life is going down, something we should do more often, especially on a busy day.
4. Do not compare yourself to others.
Measure your own successes based on your progress, and only yours. All of our lives are unique, and no one is better than any one else. Try not to think that you are better than anyone else as it promotes unhealthy superiority and can be detrimental to your happiness.
5. See that colleague in the beautiful new dress? Compliment her.
Everyone loves compliments, including that colleague who just walked in on a Monday morning in a beautiful dress. Being kind to others, like passing random compliments, is contagious and most importantly, it makes people happy, boosting self-esteem and confidence. Don’t be afraid to tell people how great they look, or how awesome their smile is. It’ll do good for them, and you!
6. Stop trying to please others.
It’s tiring and you will soon run out of time to please yourself, period.
You may also like: 10 Ways To Always Be Yourself And Live Happily
7. Focus on the present moment.
Take some time every day to focus on the present moment; it is the only certain time we have in our life. Try not to think about the negative past experiences and embrace the time you have now. You’ll soon find that even the slightest thing that you do at this moment can bring about happiness for many hours and days to come.
8. Easy, Tiger! Learn how to control your emotions and reactions.
It’s not worth the punch when a co-worker is trying to be funny. It’s not worth the argument when your partner is testing your patience. And it’s definitely not worth the emotions. Don’t compromise on your happiness just because someone is trying to pick a fight. Like Disney’s Frozen, Let It Go and be happier.
9. Find time to workout regularly and eat well.
Exercise can produce tons of feel-good hormones—endorphins, serotonin and dopamine just to name a few. These hormones can help avoid some symptoms of stress and depression. Feeding your body with whole and nutritious foods, on the other hand, can positively impact your body in both the short and long term. Find time to schedule in a workout even if it’s only thirty minutes and do something you love. Eat well because food that are good for you can help you stay focused and more energized, and happier as a whole.
Also on Lifehack: 7 Things You Should Stop Doing When Trying To Be Healthy
10. Learn how to accept constructive criticism.
No one is always right. Other people may have better judgement, experience and knowledge than you do. If you’ve made a mistake, learn how to accept it and the constructive criticism that comes along with it. Put your ego aside because it won’t do any good to your happy factor.
11. Sit cross-legged, be silly, and do something fun.
In other words, be child-like. Ever wondered why children are always so carefree and happy? That’s because they don’t have anything to worry about. Try to set aside a few hours a day bringing your inner child out and focus on doing something fun just for the sake of it, and for the sake of making yourself happy.
What other habits do you practice to live a happier life?
