By Kate Harveston | Posted: February 03, 2020
What is happiness? Philosophers have grappled with this question throughout millennia. To a chronically ill person, happiness may look like a single pain-free day when they can remember who they used to be. For a new parent, it could be seeing their baby smile for the first time.
The good news is that you can cultivate more happiness in life. How? It begins by embracing habits that make you smile — joy is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
1. Practice Mindfulness
You've probably heard a lot of commotion about mindfulness in the popular press recently. What is mindfulness, and how can it help you increase your happiness? Think of it as a form of exercise for your brain. Mindfulness enables you to build awareness of racing thoughts, and in doing so, calm their clamor.
To begin your mindfulness practice, find a space where you can relax without interruption. Sit in a comfortable position where your spine falls in a natural curve and begin centering your awareness on your breath. As thoughts arise, observe them without passing judgment — even if they spur you to take action. Remind yourself that this time is crucial to your well-being. Once you gain awareness of negative ideas, like "I'm such a failure," you can work to reframe them.
2. Empower Yourself
Sometimes, you feel profound unhappiness because you don't know where you're going in life or how to reach your destination. Hopelessness and a loss of a sense of control over your future can lead to depression. Take the time to perform a searching self-assessment and determine your wants and desires.
Perhaps you've dreamed of a career that you can manage from home — how can you make yourself more appealing to employers with telecommuting options? You could, for example, take a coding class online to advance your skill set. Maybe you'd enjoy working with animals. Can you find a part-time opportunity at a local animal shelter?
3. Maintain a Healthy Diet
You can't feel your best when you're under the weather, and your diet significantly impacts your overall health. As much as possible, strive to consume a healthy diet rich in phytonutrients. Remain aware of any unhealthy habits that come up and work to eliminate them. Unsure of where to start? Ayurveda is the perfect individualized diet plan, one that answers all of your body’s unique needs.
Maybe you fall prey to unhealthy eating habits because you're short on time. Learn how to meal prep on your days off so you have grab-and-go deliciousness that will benefit your health. Cooking weeknight meals becomes relaxing when you don't have to deal with tedious preparation.
4. Exercise
Your body needs regular exercise to stay mentally and physically healthy. Don't let excuses, such as "I can't afford a gym membership," hold you back. You can go for a walk — it doesn't cost a dime. You can also put on some tunes and dance or vigorously clean your house. Yoga is another inexpensive option that you can do at home—just make sure you learn your poses in person from a qualified professional! If you struggle with a chronic pain condition or other health problem, talk to your doctor about what exercise options exist for you.
Feel like you’re stuck in a workout rut? Try adding some high-intensity intervals to your routine. Alternately, give a friend a call, or try a new class you've never taken before. You can find a variety of workout apps for low cost, and free workout videos abound online.
5. Develop strong friendships
It can be difficult to feel happy when you're lonely. Many women invest a ton of time into romantic relationships, then feel dissatisfied with the friendship score. To have friends, you need to put yourself where the people are. Sign up for an improv class at your local community theater or college. Attend that after-work happy hour or networking event. Join online groups that connect you with others who share similar interests near you.
6. Love your inner circle
When your relationship with your partner becomes overly critical or controlling, you can grow depressed. If your intimate partnership becomes abusive, you should investigate realistic options for leaving. However, even living with a partner who passively provokes you by refusing to do their share can steal your joy.
To enjoy more love in your life, try showing more affection towards your partner and your children if you have them. However, if you start to feel like you're doing all the emotional labor in your relationship, have a heart-to-heart talk. Couples therapy can help if you want to preserve the relationship but ditch the resentment.
7. Make a difference
When you perform acts of kindness for others, you reap the benefits, too. That's because volunteering releases the same hormones that cuddling does, giving you the warm fuzzies. Find a cause you're passionate about and get involved. If you're a member of the chronic illness community, you can join awareness groups. If you adore animals, local shelters always need helpers to walk dogs and socialize cats.
Develop these happy habits to experience more joy in life
You don't have to win the lottery or meet your dream partner to experience increased happiness in life. With a few simple tips, you can seize more joy out of every day.
Kate Harveston writes about wellness and mental health. If you enjoy her work, you can visit her women’s health blog, So Well, So Woman. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
