Happiness is a frame of mind, and it’s something we must all work for each and every day if we want to keep it. Sure, some people just seem to be born naturally happy and to always be able to find the bright side of things. But this disposition can also be learned! It’s possible to train our brains to defer to happiness and seek the small joys in life, if we just make the effort to be intentional and consistent with our habits. Keep reading for five simple things you can start doing every day to be a happier, more grateful person.
- Speak it and show it.
You can elevate your natural state of happiness by being intentional about sharing this emotion. Write someone a thank you note, send a text or email message of gratitude, compliment a stranger, or partake in a random act of kindness. It’s true that the more you share your happiness, the stronger yours grows. Before you take to surfing social media or zone out in front of the TV, take just five minutes each day to tell someone else why you’re grateful for them.
- Give people the benefit of the doubt.
People will make poor choices, disappoint you, hurt you, and annoy you. It’s a reality of life and it’s not going to change. What can change is how you view these actions. Foremost, give people the benefit of the doubt that maybe they didn’t really mean to make you upset. It could be an accident, the result of their own bad mood due to something going on in their life, or they could be completely unaware that they’ve committed an offense. Choose first to believe all of these things. Believe that it has nothing to do with you and let it go! If it goes deeper than that, cross that bridge when you come to it. But first, choose joy and give people the benefit of the doubt.
- Will it matter in a year?
When something happens that gets you down, ask yourself if it will be remembered or even matter in a year, a month, a day. Most likely the answer is no. You might still feel a little salty when you think back on the memory, but if the issue is not likely to have a long-term impact on your life, do yourself a favor right now and let it go. By choosing to let go of the negative emotion as soon as possible, you can get back to your natural state of happiness that much sooner!
- Keep a gratitude journal.
More people than you might imagine keep journals. Here’s why you should too. Writing down your thoughts makes them feel more real, tangible, and memorable. When you keep a gratitude journal, you’re more likely to remember feelings of happiness, joy, gratitude, and love – and to feel them deeper. Best of all, when you’re having a down day, you can return to this journal and flip through the many pages you’ve compiled of wonderful things that have occurred in your life. As you revisit these moments, whatever has you feeling upset in the preset will seem small and less significant.
- Spend more time in nature.
And finally, nature is such a powerful source of happiness – so spend more time in nature as opposed to sitting in front of a screen. Even when the weather doesn’t allow for an outdoor stroll or time spent in the warmth of the sun, view nature from a window, watch videos, or read about the wonders that are naturally found all around us. The more we allow ourselves to explore the joy of nature, the more centered and connected we will feel to the world.
Do you have another piece of advice to offer for “everyday happiness?” We’d love to hear it! Share by commenting below.
