Happiness cannot be found in the outside world. It must be created from within. Happiness is not always easy to find or maintain, but you will learn how to stay positive and feel joy, even when going through difficult situations, by following these 12 steps.
Seek Positivity
The first step is choosing to surround yourself with positive people. Negative people have a way of rubbing off on those around them. The good news is positivity is contagious too!
Smile
As you smile, your emotions start to match your facial expressions. We smile when we are happy, and smiling releases dopamine. This makes us happier!
Next time you find yourself feeling low, try cracking a smile and see what happens. Or start each morning by smiling at yourself in the mirror. Smiling can be contagious too!
Fill Your Mind With Good Influences
Inspirational podcasts, positive groups on Clubhouse, and inspirational books and audiobooks can be great ways to fill your mind & soul with happiness. Happiness is a state of being that we choose for ourselves!
If you’re surrounded by negative people, an unsupportive spouse, etc., you can significantly improve your mental wellbeing by simply listening to something positive!
Show Gratitude
Happiness is a choice. Choose to be happy! Write down what you’re grateful for each evening, and read your list each morning! Take a short break during the day to add to the list of things you’re thankful for! Take a short walk and say ten things you’re grateful for!
Pray
The God who created the entire universe created you in His image! He loves you desperately, and He gave His only Son to save you from your sins. So if the Creator of the universe knows your name, you’re pretty awesome!
Praying and giving thanks for the blessings you have is another great way to help you focus on the important things! When you think about good things, more good things come to fruition!
Life Isn’t All About Work
Take time for yourself. Plan a trip with your friends, volunteer at an animal shelter, take a drive and listen to great music. Go out and have some fun!
Be A Friend
Make someone smile. Hold the door open for a stranger. Give someone a compliment when they least expect it. Start a conversation!
One thing I enjoy doing is visiting the local grocery store each morning. I grab a coffee & make it a point to find someone and make them smile. That could be the barista, a dad shopping with his kids, or a checker/cashier.
Exercise
Work exercise into your routine. Exercise is not only great for improving health, but it also makes you feel better about yourself! Even a small amount of activity can make a difference! It doesn’t have to be anything complex or strenuous. For example, you could go for a short walk, take your lunch break outside, ride your bike instead of driving- the possibilities are limitless!
Be Intentional About What You Eat
You already know that food choices have an impact on your overall physical health. But some foods can also affect your state of mind, so eat with your mood in mind!
Pay attention to what you’re eating, and eat the type of food that will make you feel good about yourself. Eating healthy natural foods is always a great idea.
Breathe Deeply
Breathing is a great way to clear your mind and focus. Breathe in for five counts; hold it in for five counts. Then, breathe out fully for five seconds before starting the next breath. This not only oxygenates the bloodstream, but it helps to release tension and takes your mind off whatever you may have been worrying about.
Acknowledge Unhappy Moments
It’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to feel depressed. These feelings help us to cope & they’re natural. It’s okay to cry, and it’s okay to have a bad day. There is no shame in taking care of yourself and getting the support necessary to be as healthy and happy as possible.
Keep A Journal
Keeping a journal is a great way to organize your thoughts, analyze your feelings, and make plans. And you don’t have to be a literary genius or write volumes to benefit.
Journaling can be as simple as jotting down a few thoughts before you go to bed. If putting certain things in writing makes you nervous, you can always shred them when you’ve finished. The most important part is the process of journaling itself.
Journaling won’t make us happy if we are already unhappy. But it will help us think about how things could be better. If you want happy moments to come more often, keep track of when they happen. You receive what you focus on! Focus on being happy!
