In this article, you’ll discover 10 Things That Can Make You Happy Every day
“Don’t rely on someone else for your happiness and self-worth. Only you can be responsible for that. If you can’t love and respect yourself – no one else will be able to make that happen. Accept who you are – completely; the good and the bad – and make changes as YOU see fit – not because you think someone else wants you to be different.” – Stacey Charter
Are you happy and content with your life?
Happiness is not a given, but most times it’s a choice. The choice is to join the happy people’s club by doing some of the things they do.
Do you want to join in?
Check the following list of 10 things happy people have in common and make your choice:
1. Grow your positive attitude
For almost whatever happens in life, there is a positive side. Train your mind to search and notice that side more than the negative one. Positive people are attracting into their lives positive things, events, and people.
Related: What are the Benefits of Positive Thinking
2. Be grateful
Celebrate the great things you have in your life. Be grateful for what you have and embrace who you are with love and understanding.
Being grateful doesn’t stop at other people and external forces, but your internal strengths as well.
Learn how to communicate in a way that shows those around your appreciation and the gratitude you feel for having them in your life.
3. Get in the “zone”
Lose yourself in doing things that make the time disappear.
Being focused on important things all the time can rob you of the pleasure of doing fun stuff with no other purpose than pure enjoyment. Find your balance between doing important things and fun things. Note that both can put you into the zone when time seems to disappear.
4. Take time to relax
There are in this world both extremes: crazy driven and utterly lazy people; neither seems to be happy. The crazy driven never stops, and the lazy one ends up in apathy. Be in the middle. Be part of that group of people that pursue success and remember to breathe in between.
Find time to relax and calm your mind; it’s the best way to keep your mind in the present moment and notice how amazing your life is.
5. Build memories
Happy people know they are alive! They know where time has passed and how they spent the years of life. Happy people are building memories.
Don’t allow your days to feel and look the same. Every day of your life that passes unnoticed can give you the sad feeling that you haven’t lived.
6. Practice positive envy and comparison
Perhaps, you’ve tried to stop comparing yourself to others or never feel envious. Did you? Most of us did but discovered that we just couldn’t help it. It’s in your nature to do it.
First, we are comparing, not just ourselves to others, but most of the things that are around us. That is how we give value to people and things. Our mind needs comparison and statistics to make decisions, to know how much someone or something is worth, to predict the future the best we can.
Second, we can get envious because our unconscious mind wants to have the best there is and when we don’t, that is our mind’s way of signaling to work harder or faster or different.
Now, what do I mean by positive envy and comparison?
You have these emotions no matter how hard you try not to. Therefore, instead of forcing yourself to be different, work with your emotions to get to leave the life you want.
Positive envy
When you feel envious, get curious. How did the other person come to have/ achieve what you want too? Model out of their behavior and actions what you can do. Adapt their plan of action to your particular abilities, strengths, talents, wants and desires.
Positive comparison
When you compare yourself to others, use all the data you have: your background, environment, family life, socio-economic status, genes, and whatever else might be relevant (with the purpose to progress).
For example, to open a magazine and compare yourself to a supermodel it’s useless, it doesn’t bring anything new or positive in your life; you learn nothing out of it. It might be positive though, to compare your skill to the skills of your co-workers, or your business to other similar ones – that is a positive comparison – you can do something about it; there is room for improvement in all of us.
At the end of the comparison, if you’re not satisfied with your findings (you believe you can do more), learn what can help you move forward.
7. What makes people happy for free? Enjoy the little things and seemingly insignificant
Stop! from time to time and be present in your surroundings. Admire a flower, hug a tree, listen to the birds singing, notice the strangers that are smiling at you and smile back. The little things count a lot for your level of happiness.
8. Follow your dreams and goals
Stay focused on your goals and dreams and give yourself the satisfaction of achievement.
Your goals and dreams are giving the most significant purpose of your life.
9. Take the leadership of your life
Be like a tree not like a leaf. Be assertive with others (and yourself) and stand up for what you believe, think, what you want and what you don’t want.
A leaf falls randomly from a tree, carried by the wind; never knowing where it might end up. Be the tree that knows where is heading, where it stands and what it needs.
10. Stay and get connected to others
Improve your ability to relate to others and surround yourself with positive people. People that like, appreciate, love, respect and admire you. People that feel proud for having you in their life.
Many things can make you happy but remember, happiness is a choice. Not that you can choose to be happy in a vacuum, but you can decide to have the thoughts, behavior, and actions that lead to your happiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the secret to happiness?
There is no one secret to happiness, as it is a combination of different factors and experiences that work together. However, some common factors that contribute to happiness include:
Having strong relationships with loved ones.
Feeling fulfilled in one’s work or hobbies.
Having a positive outlook.
Engaging in physical activity and exercise.
Practicing gratitude.
Giving back to others through acts of kindness and generosity.
It is important to remember that what brings happiness to one person may not bring happiness to another, and it is up to each individual to find what works best for them.
What are some ways to increase happiness in daily life?
Here are some simple and effective ways to boost your happiness in daily life:
Practice gratitude and appreciate what you have.
Engage in physical activity and exercise regularly.
Connect with others through meaningful relationships.
Set and work towards achievable goals.
Find time for leisure and relaxation.
Help others and give back to your community.
Can happiness be taught or learned?
Happiness is a complex emotion that can come from a variety of sources, and it can be influenced by many factors such as genetics, environment, life experiences, relationships, and personal choices. While it is not possible to simply “teach” happiness, it is possible to learn skills and practices that can help increase feelings of happiness and well-being over time.
For example, practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and acts of kindness have been shown to have a positive impact on happiness levels. Additionally, therapy and counseling can help individuals learn coping strategies for dealing with negative thoughts and emotions and can help them identify and change unhelpful thought patterns.
How important are relationships in happiness?
Humans are social creatures and we have an innate need for connection and social support. Good relationships with family, friends and romantic partners can provide a sense of belonging, security, and love, which can greatly contribute to our overall happiness and well-being.
However, it’s also worth noting that happiness is a complex and multi-faceted concept, and having strong relationships is just one of many factors that can contribute to it. Other things that can impact happiness include personal characteristics, such as resilience and optimism, life experiences, personal achievements, and a sense of purpose or meaning.
Is it possible to maintain happiness over the long term?
Yes, it is possible to maintain happiness over the long term, although it may require effort and intentional action. Happiness is a complex emotion that is influenced by many factors, including genetics, life circumstances, and personal behavior and thoughts. While some people may have a natural tendency towards happiness, it can also be cultivated and sustained through intentional practices.
Is it possible to be happy alone?
Yes, it is possible to be happy alone. Happiness is a state of mind that depends on our thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions, not necessarily on our external circumstances.
While relationships and social connections are important for happiness, it is possible to find joy and contentment as an individual. Pursuing personal passions, practicing self-care, and having a positive outlook can all contribute to happiness, even when alone.
Can happiness be measured?
Yes, happiness can be measured, but it is a subjective experience and can be challenging to quantify. There are various methods and scales that have been developed to measure happiness, such as self-report questionnaires, behavioral observations, and physiological measures.
However, it is important to keep in mind that these measures are not perfect and do not capture the full complexity of the experience of happiness. Additionally, what makes one person happy might not have the same effect on another person.