Happiness is a state of mind that we all want to achieve, but modern life has left us in crisis about what will make us happy. We are relentlessly bombarded with messages implying that our lives are unhappy and lacking; advertisers promise us products and services that will immediately improve our lives, the media paints images of happiness based on often unattainable beauty, wealth and fame, and politicians reduce our happiness to a scale of economics.
Research has shown that happiness or ‘subjective well-being’ can influence physical health; Happier people tend to adopt healthier habits, but other benefits have also been noted, such as better cardiovascular performance, better wound healing, and reduced inflammation levels, to name a few. So, what can you do in your own life to be happy?
5 realistic tips to help you achieve the elusive happiness you deserve.
Be kind to others
It is part of the human condition that we thrive when we are kind to others. Not only will you help someone else in their time of need, but you will also benefit from doing acts of kindness. Being generous and working with others stimulates the same part of the brain called the striatum, which is activated by reward signals like good food, financial success and even addictive drugs. The striatum gives us a ‘warm glow’ when we are kind to others.
Connect with others
We are social beings and we need social interaction with others to be happy. People who have strong connections with others are significantly happier than people who do not have deep relationships. Loneliness and social isolation are harmful to health. Lonely people experience increased stress hormones that affect the body’s systems and can have a seriously detrimental impact on its functions. Relationships with others help us deal with the challenges life presents us. So it is important that you invest time and energy in maintaining relationships.
Please note: connecting with others does not only mean via social media. You need authentic real-life relationships that add meaning.
Fuel for happiness
Our body is a collection of cells that have very specific nutritional needs to function optimally. In the busy modern lives we lead, it can be easy to become complacent about the way we fuel our bodies. If your diet doesn’t provide the nutrients you need, your body and mind will feel sluggish and feelings of happiness can plummet. Convenience foods and poor quality ingredients, combined with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, lead to weight gain, diabetes and can damage your self-esteem.
Instead of starting an extreme diet to combat your extra weight, it is better to adopt a healthy eating pattern that will ensure your weight loss is maintained. A program like Sane Solution can help you transform your eating habits so you can feel satisfied with your body – click here For more information.
Smell the roses
While you’re busy working, raising your family, and building friendships, it can be easy to focus on the destination instead of enjoying the journey. Appreciate what is around you and look for happiness and joy in the ordinary. Slow down and be alert to your surroundings and enjoy the here and now. Put your device away, turn off the notifications on your cell phone, and stop multitasking.
Living in the moment diverts your attention to the finer beauty of your surroundings. Embrace mindfulness techniques to help focus your mind and improve your experience of the world. You will find that once you master these techniques, you can find happiness even in everyday life.
Define goals
To achieve happiness, you must also be positive about the future. Choose realistic goals that will give you a positive direction in which to move forward. Think about what you would like to achieve and what steps you need to take to achieve it. Once you define your goal, you will be motivated and excited by the prospect of achieving it, and great satisfaction when you achieve your goal.
Happiness doesn’t have to be elusive. Making changes to your lifestyle and thought processes can help you be happy. You must live in the present and be alert to the prospects of joy that are all around you every day; However, you also need to look to the future and how today’s choices and options can impact tomorrow.