How to find happiness: 9 simple and helpful tips

SOURCE: Calm

Life is all about the pursuit of happiness, but how do you really go about finding it? Discover 9 habits to help you build a happier life.

The pursuit of a happy life is a universal human goal that nearly everyone on this planet has. It transcends cultural, societal, and geographical boundaries. It’s kind of wonderful to realize that no matter how different humans are from one another we all seek happiness instinctually. It’s a pursuit that is deeply ingrained in our nature.

While we all strive to be happy, it’s important to remember that happiness is only one emotion, and we don’t have to feel it all the time. Trying to be happy all the time can sometimes do more harm than good, because it’s an impossible pursuit. No one person can be happy every moment of their life. With that said, staying in the moment, even in the face of other big feelings, can have a beneficial effect on your overall happiness so let’s explore how to be authentically happy IRL.

9 habits to help you find happiness within yourself

1. Practice mindfulness and meditation

One of the best ways to find happiness is to stay in the moment and really feel your life as you’re living it. Learning to stay present in the moment can lead to better overall happiness and that’s where mindfulness comes in. 

Meditation and other mindfulness tools like breath work, body scans and loving-kindness meditation can help you to stay in the moment. 

2. Take care of your body

We hear all the time that our body is a temple and it’s worth being reminded of that occasionally. Feeding our bodies nourishing foods, moving our bodies when we can, allowing ourselves time for rest. All of these are crucial to living a happy life and should not be skipped over. 

3. Write down your feelings

Human beings feel so many feelings over the course of our lives, and sometimes many feelings over the course of a single day. Sometimes figuring out what we’re feeling is hard, but talking about them or writing down how we feel can help. 

By expressing how you’re feeling, you’re allowing yourself time and space to acknowledge your feelings and really process them which means you’re less likely to build resentments and more likely to feel content.

4. Practice decluttering

Keeping your space clean can help you feel happier. Studies have shown that those who describe their homes as messy, cluttered, or dirty tend to feel more depressive and melancholy. 

Having a clean space can boost your self-esteem, making you feel more accomplished, grounded and happy. So if you find that your happiness has taken a dip, consider cleaning up your space. This might look like donating clothes you never wear and cleaning out your closet, cleaning up your workspace, or simply doing dishes before going to bed each night. 

5. Practice gratitude

What we focus our attention on can really impact our overall emotional experience. Rather than focusing on what you may be lacking or what feels like it’s missing, try making a list of all the things you’re grateful for. It doesn’t mean you can’t wish to have more or be more successful, but practicing gratitude helps you stay in the moment where you can celebrate the abundance you already have in your life. If making a gratitude list isn’t your vibe, try a happiness journal instead. 

6. Set attainable goals

Another way to boost self-esteem is to watch yourself achieve mini-successes. If you have a to-do list that’s a mile long with difficult and complex goals then you’ll feel like a failure every time you don’t achieve one of those goals. By contrast there is power in watching yourself achieve smaller steps more consistently. An example of this might look like setting a goal to go for a long walk or run once or twice a week rather than insisting that you wake up tomorrow and train for a marathon.

7. Allow yourself to feel the joys in life fully

This falls under the category of being mindful and staying in the moment. Even during challenging times there are plenty of moments of joy to be had. Maybe you’ve found yourself in a tough spot where you’re struggling with work, or in between jobs. If you’re in that situation but you still find yourself abundant with friends and family who love you then focus on the joy in that. By focusing on the existing joys you’re experiencing you keep your focus positive which can help you feel happier overall. 

8. Make time to do the things you enjoy

Feeling happy comes hand-in-hand with doing the things that give you joy. It’s important to make time to do the things you love. While achieving your goals can make you feel accomplished and happy, it’s important to achieve work-life balance. Keeping those relationships with your loved ones prioritized helps increase feelings of joy and ensures that you have a strong support system for when times get tough.

9. Don’t forget to breathe

Studies show that deep, mindful breathing can help reduce physical tension, as well as emotional stress and anxiety. The less tense you feel, the happier you’ll be. While deep breathing can help you to feel more grounded and centered, there are a few other breath practices that can really help boost happiness. 

One of the simplest techniques to employ is the 4-7-8 breathing technique. If you’re feeling stressed or tense, try breathing in for the count of 4, holding for the count of 7 and breathing out for a count of 8. Repeat as necessary. 

SOURCE: Calm