By Kate Harveston | Posted: November 19, 2019
What is happiness? If you answered, "a winning lottery ticket," you're confusing convenience with joy. Yes, money can buy you material comforts—but it can't make you love yourself more.
Real happiness stems from a sense of acceptance and satisfaction in life. It means pushing your limits while treating yourself gently. It involves a continual process of making wise choices that lead you down the path of contentment. Here are some tips for taking more control of your life and creating more happiness!
1. Surround yourself with your accomplishments
When was the last time you celebrated an accomplishment? If you haven't broken out the metaphorical bubble since you earned your graduate school diploma, no wonder you feel down! Yes, there are many reasons professionals hang their sheepskins on their wall. Having tangible reminders of their achievements keeps spirits high.
Did you complete a 5K? Hang your commemorative shirt or finishers' medal on your office wall. Focusing on your accomplishments will remind you that you follow through on your commitments and you're ready to tackle what's next.
2. Say no to unwanted obligations
Are you a "yes" person? When your friend asks you to help her move the weekend before your law school finals, do you say yes even though you have to study? Consistently putting the needs of others ahead of your own sends your subconscious the message that you don't matter. Over time, this can lead to self-destructive behaviors as you seek to remedy your feelings of worthlessness.
People who battle substance addiction struggle with the idea of control often. Part of the recovery process entails regaining a sense of mastery over their lives without the need for chemical crutches. Take charge of your happiness by saying “no” when your bestie asks to borrow money—for the 10th time. Remember, you deserve love and respect as much as anyone else.
3. Look for small moments of beauty
When was the last time you marveled at a magnificent sunset? Maybe you noticed the perfect autumn leaf on your walk to work this morning. Stop and savor these tiny moments of beauty. Many people develop blinders to the wonders surrounding them. However, you can't feel sad about the morning news broadcast if you're preoccupied admiring the rainbow that follows the storm.
4. Move your body in a feel-good way
Do you consider the word "exercise" synonymous with "torture?" If so, you're missing out on one of life's great—and free!—pleasures.
You may never fall in love with a treadmill, but you can find a workout routine you love. Head to the nearest mountain or rock-climbing wall and scale to new heights. Do you prefer social activities? Take a Zumba class at the gym or pay drop-in rates for a tumbling class. Yoga, especially, is known for its ability to kindle happiness and satisfaction, and ease feelings of anxiety and depression, too. Do something that makes you delight in moving your muscles!
5. Stretch your mind
Be honest—when was the last time you tried to learn something new? If you're like most people, your answer is, "When my boss told me I had to." Yes, it's valuable to stay on top of your career game. However, the information age means you can study anything from basket weaving to gardening online.
You can find tons of free e-learning resources and expand your knowledge base without ever leaving home. Doing so will restore your confidence in your ability to master new things.
6. Prepare a delicious, nourishing meal
Do you hit the drive-thru at lunch to down some calories? Instead, go grocery shopping and try meal prepping on the weekend or your day off. You can freeze individual servings for grab-and-go workday lunches. You can also refrigerate more substantial portions to place in the slow cooker during the day. You'll return to a home-cooked meal with minimal fuss. Nourishing your body will keep you feeling and looking your best.
7. Take breaks after arduous tasks
What do you do when you finish a big work project? Do you pat yourself on the back, or do you move on to the next task? You can improve your outlook by taking a break after completing an arduous task.
Research indicates that employees who take regular breaks enjoy higher productivity at their desks. If you typically eat while you work, mix it up by meeting a friend at a local café. The camaraderie and fresh air will leave you focused when you return to the office.
8. Spend time with those you love
When your life gets hectic, it's easy to overlook your support system. However, your relationships with your spouse and loved ones make life worth living. Make it a rule in your house to never leave or go to bed without saying, "I love you." Take a half-hour each day to enjoy a sit-down meal as a family or read a book to your children. Otherwise, you'll grow sad, feeling like you are nothing but a robot cog in a machine. Love will remind you of what truly matters.
9. Write in a happiness journal
Finally, take some time before going to bed to write down all the things that brought you joy during the day. Invest in a pretty book with pages that invite your pen. When you feel down, you can read your entries and remind yourself that there's so much in life to give thanks for and to celebrate.
10. Meditate
It’s simple: meditation brings happiness. By developing your personality, helping to keep things in perspective, and allowing you to find the well of stillness within yourself that you can always access, meditation and pranayama helps you become happier, healthier, and more well-rounded.
Creating happiness is a series of affirmative choices
Your happiness is less a matter of your material possessions and more a matter of how you choose to see the world. When you direct your focus to things that bring you joy, you'll elevate your mood and experience greater contentment.
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.
