How to be Happy
What is Happiness?
Happiness can be defined as experiencing a positive mental state and positive emotions such as joy and contentment. With an estimated 1 billion adults suffering from negative mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, it seems ever more important to focus on what truly makes us happy.
Happiness means something different to each of us. Finding it and keeping can mean living our best life. 101 Ways to be happy and 10 benefits of being happy below.
10 Benefits of Being Happy
The benefits of being happy? Pretty self-explanatory right? Well aside from the general feelings of joy and contentment, being happy can bring a number of other benefits. These include;
- Improved Heart Health: Studies have show a link between happiness and improved heart health due to (amongst other things) lowered blood pressure.
- Promoting healthy living: Happy people are more likely to look after themselves and live a healthy lifestyle.
- Increases Productivity: The boost and motivation that we get when happy can increase our productivity levels.
- Lowered Stress Levels: Being happy lowers our stress levels.
- Higher Self-Esteem: We feel better about ourselves when we are happy.
- Boosts Immune System: Being happy may well boost our immune. Studies have shown that unhappy people may be 3 times more likely to catch a cold than unhappy people.
- Increases Longevity: As we have a boosted immune system and a healthier lifestyle, happiness can increase our longevity.
- Looking Better: When we are happy and smile, we just look better.
- Happiness is Contagious: Be happy and make those around you happy too. Spread the joy.
- Enjoyment & Satisfaction with Life: Live life to the full and enjoy every minute of it.
101 Simple Ways to be happy
Being happy doesn’t need to take money or a lot of effort. The simplest of things can make us happy. 101 various ways to be happy below and more in the further exploration section;
Be Happy Basics
- Find Out What Makes You Happy (Truly Happy)
- And Keep Doing It
- Be Appreciative for the Things & People You have in Life
- Find Your Purpose in Life
- Allow Yourself to be You
- Believe in Yourself
- Express Your Emotions When You Need To
- Understand That You Alone are Responsible for & Control Your Happiness
- Choose Happiness
- Visualise the Best You and Be It
- Be Accountable For Your Words & Actions
- Identify and Work To Your Strengths
- Identify Your Weaknesses and Work on Them
- Just Do Your Best
- Understand Your Values & Live by Them
- Learn to draw boundaries and say no
- Do Something You Enjoy Everyday
- Always Look for the Good in Situations
- Let It Be
Connect With Others To Be Happy
- Spend Time with Family & Friends
- Make New Friends
- Spend Time with Positive People
- Help Others
- Listen to Others
- Treat Others With Respect (Try Here)
- Reciprocate Affection
- Treat Someone
- Get Intimate With Your Partner
- Let Go Of Grudges
- Play With Your Kids
- Send a Nice Text Message or Email to Someone
- Have Deep & Meaningful Conversations
- Compliment Someone
- Volunteer
Look After Yourself To Be Happy
- Get Some Daily Exercise (30 minutes per day)
- Practice Positive Self-Talk (Try Here)
- Practice Affirmations
- Use Mindfulness & Meditation (Try Here)
- Nourish Yourself Well (Eat a Healthy & Balanced Diet)
- Get Some Good Rest (7-9 Hours per Sleep – Try Here)
- Get Outside & Enjoy the Fresh Air (Especially in the Sunshine)
Ways To Be To Be Happy
- Be Kind
- Be Present
- Be Humble
- Be Generous
- Be Honest
- Be Empathetic
- Be You
Things To Do To Be Happy
- Schedule Some Downtime
- Schedule Time to Reflect
- Create a Worry List – And Conquer The Things On It
- Take a Technology Detox from Screens & Social Media
- Put Your Phone Away (Try Here)
- Declutter Your Home
- Compliment Yourself
- Keep a Journal and Record When You Are Happy
- Recount Your Past Successes & Moments of Inspiration
- Think of Happy Memories
- Think About Your Dreams & Aspirations
- Look After The Environment (Try Here)
- Immerse Yourself in Nature (Try Here)
- Understand That There are Ups and Downs in Life
- Take Failures as Learning Experiences
- Spread Love (Try Here)
- Challenge Yourself
- Play With Animals
- Set Achievable Goals (and Achieve Them!)
- Practice Gratitude (Try Here)
- Cut Back on Work Where Possible (if You Don’t Enjoy Work!)
- Declutter Your Home (Try Here)
- Learn to be happy alone (Try Here)
- Keep a Journal and Record When You Are Happy
- Recount Your Past Successes & Moments of Inspiration
- Think of Happy Memories
- Speak to a Therapist or Counsellor or Confide in a Trusted Love One if you Need Help
- Enjoy the Journey
Things Not To Do To Be Happy
- Don’t Overthink Things (Try Here)
- Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
- Don’t Expect
- Don’t Try to Predict the Future – Take Things as They Come
- Don’t Make One Person the Centre of Your Happiness
- Don’t Expect to Always be Happy
- Don’t Try to Control Others’ Thoughts & Actions
- Don’t Take Life too Seriously
- Don’t Place Happiness Into Material Things
- Don’t Imitate Others
- Don’t Chase Perfection (Nothing is Perfect)
- Don’t Let Past Experiences Rule Your Life (Try Here)
- Don’t Complain
- Don’t Overburden Yourself
- Avoid Destructive Behaviours Such as Drink, Drugs. Smoking & Overeating
Enjoy Yourself To Be Happy
- Celebrate When Things Go Well
- Pursue Your Interests & Hobbies
- Enjoy New Experiences (Try Here)
- Treat Yourself
- Take a Long Shower or Bath
- Listen to Music
- Dance
- Learn
- Read
- Smile
Further Exploration - Articles & Media
Article: What Is Happiness, Anyway?
Happify article discussing what happiness is not (feeling good, being rich or a final destination) and how our happiness is driven by our genetic make up.
Article: What Is Happiness?
Psychology Today article looking at the different levels and kinds of happiness from a psychological perspective.
Book: How to Be Happy (Or at Least Less Sad): A Creative Workbook
Author and illustrator Lee Crutchley's lively approach to the topic of depression and anxiety. The book 'helps readers see things in a new light, and rediscover simple pleasures and everyday joy"
***This is one of the few affiliate links on Peaceful Soul***
Forum: How can I be happy?
Quora forum with over 100 responses to the question, "How can I be happy?" Suggestions include putting your attention on the things you like, practicing gratitude and sleeping more.
Article: 24 easy habits that psychologists have linked with health and happiness
Article from Business Insider looking at 24 habits related to happiness including going o a hike, gazing up and the stars and drinking coffee (but not too much).
Wiki: Happiness
Wikipedia page covering all aspect of happiness including it's role in philosophy, culture and religion and methods to make ourselves happy.
Video: How to Be Happy Every Day: It Will Change the World
TEDx talk from Jacqueline Way on Youtube discussing how we can be happy every day through giving.
Article: 7 Reasons to Be Happy Even if Things Aren’t Perfect Now
Article from Tiny Buddha looking at 7 reasons to be happy now even if you're not feeling it. Including, "Finding reasons to be happy now can benefit your future" and "You can be who you want to be right now, no matter what your situation looks like."
Article: 7 Benefits of Being Happy
Article from Chasing a Better Life looking at 7 benefits of being happy including protecting cardiovascular and encouraging healthy living.
Further Mental Wellbeing Guides from Peaceful Soul
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Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.
Many thanks Mark, much appreciated.