In this article, we will discuss the top ways to be happy. Getting happiness is not a simple task but is a progressive result of striving, finding, seeking, and keeping self-actualizing work and fun. Being happy usually considered as finding satisfaction, feeling joyful, and sensing that your life is quite meaningful and have direction. You can’t be joyful and happy all the time, but some individuals are more fulfilled than others. According to several studies it has found that happiness has little to do with possessions. Now, since to be happy is good for your health, you should learn how to be happy by just following this article.
Best Way to Be Happy:
1.) Determine Your Core Values
Your core values basically determine what you think about your life and the world around you. These beliefs usually guide your decision-making. They might be spiritual, or they may not, but they are the natural way to look at your life. The best example of spirituality is , “commitment to excellence”. It could be a value, or “belief in a higher power” or “dedication to family”. Whatever you feel about your value, if you are living with them then you will be happy. However, people usually know life according to their beliefs. There are some circumstances which later make them feel unhappy and dissatisfied.
Many researchers suggest that when you are fully aware of your values then you’re more likely to act in accordance with them. You need time for yourself to reflect on what is most important and meaningful in the life. You can recall the times when you felt happiest and most satisfied along with factors that contributed it.
2.) Be Busy, But Not Rushed
People usually think that being busy in some work will eliminate their worries and they will be happy. Here, the thing is quite different as less and fewer people can find that a happy medium is not just busy enough. It seems strange that being very productive life would cause one to be happy. Several studies suggest that a balanced free time is a key, so as too much boredom can be burdensome. You need to strive for a productive life but at a comfortable pace.
That being sad, you will have to find out how to say “no” to things. Derek Sivers has a simple rule for things that you are not bound to do and he says “you should know how to say no”. Either needs to be a “Hell Yeah!” or a simple “No.” The best way to be happy is you either say “yes” or “no” but don’t fall in between. Being a clear mind for any situation is necessary to be happy.
3.) Have Five Close Relationships
Well, the relationships are the most important thing when it comes to our overall life satisfaction, at least for most of us. Having close relationship is well-tested practice and it also quite effective to make you happy. According to multiple studies it has found that having a close group of people in your life will always keep you happy even in a hard situation. Here mentioning five close relationship has its own reason as it seems to be a low-end average according to a book, The Psychology of Engagement. The book clearly shows us that group of five people closely related to you can make you happy. The five relationships you have comprised of different people with different ideas to solve your queries. The group of people also gives you proper direction and suggestion regarding the problem you can solve.
4.) Choose What Makes You Happy
The best way to be happy is to keep a distance from the things that make you feel unhappy. If you talk to the people who are happy with their life then you will also get to know that it is due to the fact that they always choose what makes them happy. We all have to choose the things which make us happy if the situation permits. Here, the major problem is you can’t choose the things that make you happy every time, but still, you can work hard to achieve your goal. Studies show that choosing activities that are personally meaningful will really going to make a difference in your happiness level.
According to a study, participants either chose their own positive activity else the one that had assigned to them. The result was very clear, participants who chose their own positive activity and regularly participated were happier than participants who were not allowed to choose their favorite activity. Everyone feels that they are restricting their own positive choices so try to find the ways to incorporate more freedom in your life.
5.) Focus on People, Not Things
People while looking for happiness come across misconception that the path to happiness is having iPhone or a fancy car. Various research suggests that people who are more focused on the material things usually end up finding unfulfilled needs in their lives. The thing is materialistic people are less happy with themselves than people who are less focused on “stuff.” You should appreciate what you have but never think the more of them will make you happy. The more you rely on material things the more you feel unfulfilled as cars and phones keep on upgrading. The day you purchase an iPhone is, of course, your happiest day but not for a longer period.
The studies have shown that people with very little stuff are also living a peaceful happy life. As, they have realized that only three things are important to leave a happy life – food, shelter, and clothing. People living in poverty are far more likely to experience a hard time, sadness and frustration than people who are economically comfortable. It is large because they are under stress making money.
6.) Push Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone
Studies consistently show that we are more productive when we are just outside the comfort zone called a zone of “optimal anxiety.” When we are out of our comfort zone then it pushes us to take more risks and try harder because we are unfamiliar with our situation. Do not try to go too far outside your comfort zone as your performance will plummet again. Look for the balance of stability and trying new things every time.
Now, if you are thinking that working out of your comfort zone is quite painful and lead to unhappiness then you are wrong. Working out of your comfort zone and taking risks offers many rewards as you will be more productive. Your increased resilience will be the major reason for your happiness and give you the practice to deal with unexpected challenges. By regularly challenging yourself will develop the adaptability and flexibility to handle change when it arises.
7.) Smile to Be Happy
According to a study when you smile regardless you are happy or not, your mood is automatically elevated. This is true if all the facial muscles, including the one which around your eyes, get involved. So, smile whenever you can as it is a kind of a feedback loop. Smile always reinforces happiness, just as the happiness causes smiling. People who smile during painful situation reported less pain than those who don’t. Smiling is basically related to the release of endorphins, which are particularly associated with pain relief, and serotonin, that is associated with happy feelings.
8.) Be Compassionate for Happiness
Compassion is basically doing something kind for someone in need, or to help someone less privileged than you. A study revealed that people gain as much happiness from only watching others give to charity as they usually do receive money for themselves. You need to think of the effective ways that you can make the community or the world a quite better place by being compassionate. You need to understand that compassion is a key part of sustainable happiness in your life, and it’s also really good for your health. It will not only make you happy but the people whom you helped.
Give a person in need some food, clothing or shelter, if it would be quite safe. The funny thing is we keep on wandering here and there for happiness but forget to think about compassion which is the easiest thing to be happy. The major benefit of compassion is you are making two people happy, yourself and other. Science shows that giving gifts to other usually feels a larger pulse of dopamine (neurotransmitter responsible for happiness) than the person receiving the gift.