18 Things You Can Do Every Day To Be Happy
Here are 18 simple things you can do that will keep you happy on a day to day basis.
1. Walk tall and straight.
Improving posture increases are confidence. When people are happy, they walk with a brisk pace and shoulders back. Our body language can change our lives for the better.
Amy Cuddy, psychologist from Harvard University said that we need to fake it ’til we become it. So, walk as if you’re happy and you can actually improve your mood.
2. Enjoy Nature.
You don’t need Niagara Falls in front of you to see how beautiful is nature around you. Watching some birds in the park is also great. So, go outside to read a book. Don’t listen to the music, just listen to the bird chirp and other sounds of nature. The fresh air will calm your mind.
If you can’t go outside, just open your window and look at the blue sky for a few minutes. By observing nature you will feel happier and more relaxed.
Our connections with nature could improve our health, happiness and well-being.
3. Meditate.
There are lots of scientific proofs that meditation improves your wellbeing and makes you happier. Try meditating for just 10 minutes a day and you will soon feel the difference!
Studies have also showed how meditation increases the activity in our prefrontal cortext — the part of the brain responsible for attention and focus. If you don’t know how to start, read simple tips on how to meditate for beginners.
4. Make others happy.
If you were to choose just one thing to increase your happiness, it should be this one. Don’t expect to get anything in return, it will just me more fulfilling this way.
So, start volunteering and helping others. By making a positive difference for others, you will feel much better.
5. Be grateful.
When you feel gratitude, it gives boost to the hypothalamus and we just immediately feel happier. You can read more about it in a book called The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time
Start writing gratitude journal before bed. How does it work? Before you go to sleep, write down 50 things that you were grateful for on that particular day. It doesn’t have to be something big as getting a big promotion at work, it can be so simple like having your favorite ice cream for dessert. If you can be happy with simple things, it will be simple to be happy. It’s hard to think of 50 things, but that is actually the point. Don’t give up.
6. Exercise.
There are so many things you can do – go for a hike, start doing yoga, find some exercising channel on YouTube and exercise at home.
7. Keep a journal.
Try keeping a morning journal. Write down whatever is bothering you and you want to talk to someone about, whatever you’re too nervous or afraid about… This can be the place where you can write everything negative you are keeping inside you, every dark thought, every fear and worry. If you’re still not sure about it, read here why you should keep a daily journal.
8. Smile.
If you smile, your brain will think you are happy, and will react accordingly.
9. Go for a walk.
Just go for a walk around your block. This is a great way to get your blood flowing and feel active. Take your dog with you and spend some quality time with your pet.
10. Positive Self-Talk.
Most of us walk around everyday with a critic in our heads. He is always complaining, being cynical and questioning everything we do. Well, we need to get rid of him and plant some positive thoughts instead.
How can we do it?
Whenever you catch the critic complaining, stop him immediately and start thinking positive thoughts like “I will succeed or die trying.”
11. Listen to music.
Listen to your favorite music on the way to your work or wherever you travel on daily basis. Music can affect your mood so you need to listen to happy and uplifting music.
12. Give someone a compliment.
You can do it either in real life or online. It will lift your mood.
13. Have a brisk 30-minute walk.
The American Psychosomatic Society published a study showing how three 30-minute walks improve recovery from clinical depression. Yes, clinical depression – and the study showed how walks were more powerful than medications!
The more physically active people are, the greater their general feelings of excitement and enthusiasm. So, just get up and go for a walk. Simple as that.
14. Do not wait for the big things in life to be happy.
How often do you go on a vacation? Or buy a car? Well, not too often. You can’t wait for those big things to be happy. Find happiness in small things in life. Be happy about the tasty Mexican food you ate yesterday or about great episode of Suits.
15. Find a new hobby.
A new hobby is always a good idea. It is a stress buster which also relaxes your mind and you feel refreshingly different.
16. Random Act of Kindness.
Surprise someone with a coffee, pay for someone else’s food, hold the door open for a stranger, let the person who seems rushed cut in front of you…
17. Show Empathy.
Ask you partner or a friend how their day was. Listen to their problems. It will help them, and in the process you will discover you have a lot to be happy about.
18. Stop complaining.
You don’t have to do all these. Pick just one from the list below and set a reminder in your calendar for 21 days in a row. See if you can develop a new ‘happiness habit’.
