How to be happier is something that a lot of people ask themselves. People write books about it, teach classes on it, and even make it their life’s work to find happiness. But looking for happiness is not an easy thing to do, because it can seem like one of the hardest and most disappointing things to do. For some people, happiness comes from having things, while for others, it comes from being successful in their careers. Many times, these things that make people happy only make them want more. They become obsessed with the next level of success, status, or wealth, thinking that if they can only reach this next level, they will be happy. Most people don’t realize, though, that happiness is not a place you get to. This may sound corny, but the truth is that you can’t find happiness by reaching some far off, one-time goal or accomplishment. It is like any other practice in that it needs to be lived and worked on. Happiness is something you have to work at every day. You won’t be happy just because you have your dream job or relationship. Now, these things might make you happy, but they can’t be the only thing that makes you happy. It’s not easy to be happier, but there are ways to get started on the path to real happiness. Check out these 6 ways to make your life better right now.
Start saying “no!”
It’s hard to believe that one word can make you happier, but learning to say “no” is a quick way to start feeling better. This is because most of us tend to say “yes” too often, to too many things or people, and too often. Often, we say “yes” before we’ve really thought about how we feel, which means we overcommit. This leads to guilt, regret, burnout, and a whole bunch of other bad feelings that keep pushing happiness further away.
Limit your screen time.
We all love our devices and how easy they make our lives. But being hooked up to our phones, laptops, and tablets has made it harder for us to plan our days on our own. It’s easy to spend hours at a time on your phone without realizing that you’ve wasted the whole afternoon looking at and reading things that may not be good for your mood. Put down your device for a while and fill your mind with good things, like books or art.
Go into nature.
Being outside is a wonderful method to achieve happiness and relaxation.
Taking in the beauty of lush greens, peaceful lakes, and teeming animal life has been shown to significantly improve your mood. Getting outside for 15 to 20 minutes a day, even if it’s only a walk down the street, can make a big impact in your day.
Get more exercise.
You’ve probably heard this a million times, but it’s true that exercise can make you happier. Endorphins and serotonin, the chemicals in your body that make you feel good, are released when you work out. And exercise is a good way to tap into the link between your body and mind: the better you feel physically, the better you can feel mentally.
Get to know other people.
We live in drastically different times, and it is entirely possible to go an entire day without physically connecting with another real human being. This can be lonely and alienating, and it can have a detrimental impact on your mood. You can get some social time by interacting with other people.
Take a real break to do something fun.
We live in a society that is so focused on work and success that many of us go days without doing something just for fun. Take a break from being productive and do something you enjoy just for the sake of enjoying it.
