We all want to be happy and though we can’t be all the time, we can take actions to allow us to on a more regular basis. Here are some great tips to be happy in life.
- Have Some Gratitude
The first step to being happy in life is by acknowledging your achievements, not matter how small or big they are. Gratitude triggers optimism in the brain which makes it easy for the production of happy hormones. Predisposing your brain to positive and optimistic thoughts is recommended as well.
Keep a special gratitude journal and ensure you make entries every day. The entries should however be of positive things you did during the day. Make it a habit of making the entries later in the day as you reflect on the day’s events. You will be surprised how much you have to be grateful for each day. As mentioned earlier, you still need to be careful on what you enter in the gratitude journal.
- Put In Some Exercise
According to health experts, regular body exercise is good for your health. This is because it helps the body release endorphins. Endorphins have a powerful effect to your mood and are mostly released while you exercise (anaerobic and aerobic exercise). Although an endorphin rush may have euphoric effects, some of the effects linger for many more hours after your last exercise. A study conducted in the University of Vermont, body exercise can help boost your mood by up to 12 hours.
If you arent sure what exercises to take on, you can then try Beachbody On Demand to get an idea of the variety of exercise programs you can take on fitting your time, preference, and fitness level.
- Show Kindness to Others
Having a kind heart reduces the risk of being hurt or offended. Most acts of kindness cause the body to release dopamine into brain cells hence giving an almost instance intense reward. Showing kindness to the less fortunate, volunteering in community workshops, or just helping the elderly is gratifying according to psychiatrists at claritychi.com
Don’t let your busy schedule keep you from showing acts of kindness. You can still send thank you notes, pay a stranger’s parking meter, or even donate to a favorite charity. You don’t necessarily have to spend lots of money to help people. Simply helping them in the simplest means possible puts a smile to their faces, and to your heart as well. Be sure to do this legitimately to experience the joy overflow.
- Surround Yourself With The People You Love
Staying in the company of good friends and family not only make you happier, but can also help you live long enough. It increases the amounts of oxytocin produced in the brain as well. Scientists believe that good friends have a positive impact to your life and health, which increases your life expectancy the same way quitting smoking does. Friends also make life worth living. All you need to do is create time for the people who matter the most in your life.
- Sleep Well
You need to get at least 6 hours of sleep every day. Sleep helps brain and other body cells regenerate and rejuvenate while controlling serotonin levels. Serotonin is the hormone responsible for making us happy, and also needed to enable you to sleep. Abnormal levels of serotonin can however cause sleeplessness, a condition that can deprive you of your happiness. You also need to have a regular sleep pattern to enjoy the full benefits of a rested mind.
If you have a pet like a dog, it would be good idea to have a dog bed. This will help you to sleep better.
Getting at least 6 hours of sleep enables you to wake up a new person, one of the reasons many people wake up feeling energized. You however need to learn how to manage stress to get good quality sleep.
- Stay Away From Negative Thoughts
Having a negative mindset all day long can affect your life and overall well-being. To be on the safe side, steer clear of self-criticism, criticism, complains, and worry. Complaining about everything all the time isn’t recommended either. Start having positive thoughts, and see everything with positive eyes and mindset.
- Meditate
Meditation helps put the brain in a relaxed mode, which is known to help get rid of stress. It acts like a mini-massage, only to your brain cells. Taking some time to meditate is recommended for increased happiness. Although it may seem hard at first, you should be able to get the hang of it with time.