Secrets to Live a Happy Life

Happiness is often elusive for an unfortunate reason: our brains aren’t wired that way. Instead, our brains have evolved to help us survive, protect ourselves, and stay safe. Sure, we have our moments of elation, as well as our periods of contentment and bliss. However, many of us are plagued by persistent negative emotions – we are simply stuck in the “blahs.”

How can we bring more joy into our lives? It takes practice, just like anything else, to cultivate ongoing happiness. In some ways, we need to reset our baseline. It won’t happen overnight, but here are the top 20 things you can do every day to unlock the secrets to a happier life.

Focus on positive thinking.

To find long-term happiness, you must retrain your brain to shift from a negative to a positive mindset. Try the following: Spend one to two minutes focusing on the positive aspects of your life. If you do this three times a day for 45 days, your brain will begin to do it automatically.

Choose a positive mantra for the day – something you will tell yourself throughout the day, such as “Today is beautiful” or “I am grateful for everything I have.” And when things go wrong, try to look at them in a positive light. Never underestimate the significance of seeing the bright side of life.

Celebrate little victories.

Life is full of ups and downs, but there are many small victories that go unnoticed in between. Take a moment to appreciate these small victories.

Did you finish everything on your to-do list that you had been putting off? Yay! Did you finally get through the thousand emails that had been piling up in your inbox? Woohoo! Take pride in your small victories. They all add up!

Find your work–life balance.

Work consumes much of our time, but it should not be the only thing we do. It is critical to pursue activities and interests outside of our jobs. Do you have a pastime? Are you spending time with your friends and family? Are you getting enough exercise? Creating balance in your life will reduce stress and provide you with additional opportunities to express yourself and have fun.

Practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness meditation works by drawing your attention and awareness to the present moment. It all boils down to being nonjudgmental and accepting of your feelings. Being mindful entails being present, aware, and curious. Accepting what we are going through reduces stress and allows us to see things for what they are. We can find peace and affirmation in ourselves by practicing mindfulness.

Be creative.

Artists may be thought to be moody and depressed, but studies show that engaging in creative activities on a regular basis helps foster a happier mindset. Those who spend time using their imagination and being creative are more likely to have feelings of long-term happiness and well-being. Writing, painting, drawing, and musical performance are examples of creative activities.

Accept imperfection.

Many of us strive for perfection, pushing ourselves to be our best. However, in order to be truly happy, you must accept the imperfections that come with daily life. Perfection is unattainable, and holding ourselves and others to such standards is pointless. We will always feel disappointed. Accept that life is imperfect and see the beauty and grace in the imperfections.

Do what you love.

It’s difficult to maintain overall happiness if you despise your job. Don’t waste your best years in a job that isn’t fun, even if it pays the bills. What piques your interest? What are your true interests? Focus on developing a career that motivates you and provides you with a high level of satisfaction, and your happiness mindset will skyrocket.

Spend wisely.

It’s easy to believe that having more money will make you happier. But, in reality, it’s how you spend your money that makes you happy. The key is to proceed with caution. Spending money on experiences such as travel, dining, and concerts can make us happier because we can share those experiences with others. Happiness associated with material possessions fades, but experiences help us define our life’s purpose and passions.

Surprise yourself.

It’s difficult to be happy if you’re bored or dissatisfied with your life. Feeling stimulated, interested, and a little surprised by life is part of feeling happy. So, push yourself to achieve goals that are outside of your comfort zone. Place yourself in unfamiliar or unexpected situations. Make goals for yourself and work hard to achieve them. And don’t forget to have fun!

Listen to and engage with music.

We feel better after listening to music. It makes us feel better because music causes our brains to release dopamine, a neurochemical associated with pleasure and reward. Those who participate in music through dance or by attending concerts report high levels of happiness and well-being.

Build meaningful relationships.

Happiness, love, friendship, and community are all intertwined. As humans, we have an innate desire to interact with and connect with others. We naturally seek our tribe – the people who will support, understand, and be there for us on the roller-coaster ride that is life. We are lonely and isolated if we do not have meaningful relationships. When we pursue happiness with others, we are happier.

Stop worrying

Constantly worrying about everything leads to toxic anxiety, a state in which your mind is consumed by negative, spiraling thoughts. Worries plague your mind, making you fearful and apprehensive about things over which you frequently have no control. We sometimes believe that if we worry enough, we will be able to prevent bad things from happening. But the truth is that when you’re consumed by worry, you can’t experience joy or even contentment.

 Hang out with happy people.

Have you ever spent time with a gloomy person and left feeling depressed? This is due to the fact that moods can be contagious. It turns out that feelings can be passed from one person to another, and the more we share our experiences, the more our emotions and behaviors become synchronized. One key to long-term happiness is to surround yourself with people who share your outlook.

Spend time in nature.

Some scientists believe that today’s ultra-connected generation is suffering from a nature-deficit disorder. According to studies, the more time we spend in nature and the more we relate to the natural world around us, the happier we are. Our connection to nature also contributes to the maintenance of positive emotions and mental health.