Everybody is always chasing something. Something they think will make everything right - it could be a car, a promotion at work, a business deal somewhere, you name it. However, even though getting these things will make us happy at first, it will only last for a moment - research suggests that this kind of happiness doesn’t last.
A study done by the Northwestern University measured the levels of happiness among regular people and among those who had recently won lotteries and surprisingly, the levels were identical. This study basically threw out the window the assumption that major life events make us happy indefinitely, meaning, all happiness, no matter how intense, will always be temporary.
Doesn't sound so good, does it? So what's the secret?
Simple: happiness can be nurtured!
Most people who live happy lives have honed various behaviors that contribute to this. These simple habits will help your mind and body remain healthy at all times and will help you feel happiness more often and for longer.
Here is a list of the top 10:
1. Appreciate Life’s Simple Things
You don’t need to drive the best car to be happy. You don’t even need a big job or a big house. It’s always the small simple things that make a difference. For example, a good meal, a good conversation, a great joke you heard somewhere... All these simple things can contribute greatly to positivity and happiness in your life.
Of course, having good income and material belongings can contribute to some degree or another, but learning to appreciate the simpler (often free) things in life will grant you many needed bursts of happiness every day, and that goes a long way!
2. Exercise!
Sounds farfetched right? It’s really not. Moving your body even for just 10 minutes a day helps to release a neurotransmitter called GABA. This helps to soothe your brain and keep it relaxed. This will, in the end, contribute to a great deal of happiness.
Exercise also helps your body feel more relaxed when you sleep, as physical activity relieves a lot of anxiety and stress. If you're having trouble sleeping, the first thing you should try is exercising!
3. Send Gifts to People You Love
Research has suggested that the idea of spending money on other people will bring more happiness to your life compared to the idea of spending the money on your own.
Keep in mind that quality trumps quantity here - it's not about how much you spend. A thoughtful simple gift is worth way more than an expensive "whatever" the person will never use.
4. Keep Happy People Close
People who are happy generally lift the mood of people everywhere they go. If you surround yourself with positive minds and happy people, this will rub on you and eventually, you will start to have the same feelings.
Likewise, you can be the happy person that lifts everyone else's moods, and in turn, makes everybody happier!
5. Stay Positive
Even if things get tough, do not despair. Negativity only leads to feeling like every problem is a major one, and that's not what you want. Solving one little problem at a time is much easier and will always give you the feeling of progress.
A study showed that most problems people complain about daily can be solved in 12 minutes or less, if they only took action with the right attitude.
6. Sleep Well
Yes, getting 8 hours a day of sleep is important. It's the one moment where your busy brain gets to chill and prepared the room for the next busy day - if you start a new day without the necessary sleep, your brain will account it as the same day, and you'll feel more tired in return.
Some people feel rested with the usual 8 hours, some need only 6. Know yourself and respect your sleeping needs. Better nights of sleep always lead to better days!
7. Have Better Dialogue
Always focus on having deep conversations with people. Small talk, gossip, and shallow subjects won't add any real value to your life.
More importantly, listen. Always remember that great progress and knowledge comes from dialogue, and listening is often more important than talking. Having interesting subjects to talk about also makes you more interested in other people, as well as different themes that you may not know - which leads to learning, and that's where you want to be!
8. Be Helpful
If you can give someone a helping hand, go ahead and do it. This brings a great sense of fulfillment, especially if you make it a daily habit.
Doing it unconditionally just makes it all the better for you and for the world - give and expect nothing in return. Kindness is a reflex, not a business transaction.
9. Think Big and Think Smart
It’s okay to be ambitious! Don't limit yourself by thinking small and sticking to the basics - focus your mindset to see things differently than others and believe you can do whatever you want.
Everyone who ever did something new and great had to break some rules - sometimes of common sense. The secret to following your ambition is thinking smart.
James Cameron gave a lecture about his work with NASA - he stated in NASA they have a motto that goes "Failure is not an option."
He then elaborated on this motto and how it applied to his career, concluding that: "Failure is an option. Fear is not."
10. Make The Effort
It is scientifically proved that all these things contribute to happiness, but you're the one who needs to take action. This is the greatest and most important habit of all: make an effort to be happy!
Most people don't realize this, as they think happiness can only come from external sources - when you have everything you need to be happy right now, inside of you.
Actively try to be happy following these habits, and you will find that we are all capable of being happy if we just try instead of waiting.
Follow us on Facebook for more articles! Do you follow any of these habits? Which ones would you like to follow right away? Let us know!
