Spend Time With Your Loved Ones. If reaching out isn’t an option, try getting your feelings out in a letter. People change, so think about where you’re heading and consider if that’s still where you want to go. If you find that your mood hasn’t improved much over the last year, consider making an appointment with your doctor or talking to a therapist. You can go to the mountains, the countryside, museums or libraries. But the next time you find yourself feeling low, crack a smile and see what happens. Sure, we appreciate the lessons we learn, but we also want to get back to a happy life ASAP. Your attitude about life and the things that happen to you each day can also greatly impact your overall level of happiness and life satisfaction. Get dressed. take care of any chronic health conditions and see specialists as recommended, see your dentist for an oral exam and follow up as recommended. Being happy is much easier said than done. Here are some tips to get you started. But they can also be little things, such as a co-worker who offered you a cup of coffee or the neighbor who waved to you. We’ve done the hard work and curated 11 science-backed, simple ways you can be happier today. Avoid heavy eating and drinking. Break out of boring routines by turning small daily habits on their heads. How can you make yourself happy? 5. If you want to travel somewhere, do it. Here are some mid-February blooms to enjoy! If you want to be a happy and successful person, you need to make sure that your friends have the same vision as you. All rights reserved. Stanford psychologist Kelly McGonigal says that stress isn’t always harmful, and we can even change our attitudes about stress. For example, making healthy choices, getting involved in things you are passionate about, and developing a strong social support network may help. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. Make it your goal to engage yourself in doing a kind and noble thing every single... 2. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Engage in self-talk. Take a walk and pay attention to your surroundings. Stop putting what you want on the back burner for others. Meditation doesn’t have to be complicated. Write it down. Remember, no one’s happy all the time. If you suddenly throw yourself into a strenuous routine, you’ll probably just end up frustrated (and sore). Did you know that taking the time to write down 3 positive things each day will make you more optimistic... Get outside. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-be-happy-an-introduction-3144720 Sound too daunting? They will naturally enhance your happiness and make you feel good about yourself. Just getting your feelings out of your mind and into the world can be freeing. You don’t need to have a diagnosed mental health condition or overwhelming crisis to seek therapy. Focusing on some of these key areas may help increase your levels of happiness in your daily life. You’ll still satisfy your sweet tooth, and the protein will help you avoid a mid-morning energy crash. Start your day with 5 minutes of stretching. Set aside some time to catch up with yourself the way you would with an old friend: But try to avoid the pitfall of judging yourself too harshly for your answers. If you want to start a new hobby, do it. Maybe that’s helping out at a food bank on the third weekend of every month, or offering to watch your friend’s kids one night per month. Do it for yourself. Feel your cheeks and eyes change when engaging a large smile. Practice being happy. While it is important to pursue long-term solutions to promote your happiness, there are also small things you can do that can make you happier in the present moment. You might be dealing with depression or even an underlying physical condition that’s impacting your mood. Emotion. Spending 30 minutes or more a week in green spaces can help lower blood pressure and depression, according to a 2016 study. You can get a fancy planner, but even a sticky note on your computer or piece of scrap paper in your pocket can do the job. When you focus on what is good in your life, it will make you feel … So, go ahead, take 10 minutes to help with that difficult project, and feel the lasting effects all week. Being happy is much easier said than done. If some of these habits create added stress or just don’t fit your lifestyle, ditch them. Body and mind are closely connected, and it's impossible to have a happy mind without take care of your body. As you set your goals, remember all of the areas of life that are important to you. 1. 3. Last medically reviewed on January 15, 2019. 42 likes. So how can you know which goals will garner personal happiness and which won’t? Let go of any goals that no longer serve you, even if they sound nice on paper. Slowly breathe out through your mouth or nose. Keep a designated box for giveaways to make things a little easier (and avoid creating more clutter). Not sure what to do with all the feelings that end up on the page? You don't need to wait to become happy; there are steps you can take each day to feel better and more content. Let your mind wander free for a change. Take a bath, read, or do something relaxing. The Happiness Skills Quiz measures your “happiness skills” or habits. It’s about having meaningful relationships — even if it’s just with one or two people. So spend some time thinking about the things that will help you feel happy and satisfied in your life and consider some of the ways that you can work toward some of those goals. However, if you’re more satisfied with these areas of your life, you tend to be happier in general. Worried about the cost? Plan your day, but expect it not to go as planned. It can be as simple as jotting down a few thoughts before you go to bed. ", Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. The start of a new year is a good time to stop and take inventory of your life. No matter how much modern society steers us toward less sleep, we know that adequate sleep is vital to good health, brain function, and emotional well-being. Acting Happy 1. At the start of each month, make a short list of happy memories or things you’re looking forward to on a small piece of paper or on your phone. Eat something delicious and healthy. Analyze yourself, know yourself, treat yourself with care and love, and you will learn to make yourself happy. When you are happy, you instantly boost your immune system, combat stress, make your heart healthier and reduce your stress and pain. Reach out to them. Feel like you’re flailing about? How to Make Yourself Happy and Remarkably Less Disturbable will show you how This user-friendly guide offers simple, straightforward procedures and practical wisdom on a happier, more trouble-free life, from one of the most highly respected psychologists of our time. Even if you’re a social butterfly, spending some deliberate time alone can help you reconnect with the activities that truly make you happy. They will naturally enhance your happiness and make you feel good about yourself. You’ve made it to another year, and that’s plenty. What do you do with that time? Emotion. After a week, you should have a better idea how you’re doing. But your body carries your thoughts, passions, and spirit through this world, doesn’t it deserve a little TLC? The most important aspect of our life is ‘joy’. How to be happier Manage your stress levels. Following a structured training plan that increases your mileage over several weeks…. Don't focus on the negative. Based on your answers, you receive a brief report with guidance on how to improve your score. Just be. You don’t even have to send it to them. 1. Time Management May Ease Work-Related Anxiety, Overall Wellbeing, How to Cultivate Real Happiness In Different Areas of Your Life, Personal Development Goals to Maximize Your 20s and Beyond, Why It's Important to Have High Self-Esteem, Happiness Doesn’t Top Out at $75,000, Study Says, There Are Some Secrets That Happy People All Share, How to Pursue More Happiness and Add Positivity in Your Life, Benefits of Practicing Gratitude During COVID-19, How to Keep Decision Fatigue From Slowly Draining Your Energy, How to Set Less Stressful Goals for Your Life, 'What Is Wrong With Me?' Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose. How to Make Yourself Happy. But you don’t have to do it for the other person. 12. Take some time to exercise and feel your body getting energized. Here’s a set of stretches to get you started. Pets can offer similar benefits, according to multiple studies. 10 Ways to Make Yourself Happier in 30 Seconds or Less From your posture to your breathing to the images on your laptop. Take care of you. Isolation breeds loneliness and depression. How to make yourself happy: Go to A Quiet Place In addition to spending time with yourself, try to go to a quiet place to make yourself happy. You don’t have to train for a triathlon or scale a cliff — unless that’s what makes you happy, of course. Only you can make yourself happy. This question lies at the heart of many and varied goals that people pursue. It is also true when it comes to being in better control of your finances. You’re tense, your shoulders are tight, and you feel as though you just might “lose it.” We all know that feeling. Turns out, that instinct is a good one. 2. Plus, there’s no obligation to continue once you start. This is a channel I’m starting to give people just a different perspective on everyday situations we encounter in our lives Who do you miss? 7. No one to go out with? Your green space could be anything from your neighborhood park, your own backyard, or a rooftop garden — anywhere you can appreciate some nature and fresh air. A few tweaks to your regular habits can help you get there. Humans are social beings, and having close friends can make us happier. We all know people who have put everything they have into their careers—at the expense of their personal lives—only to wonder why they’re successful and still unhappy. Simply being grateful can give your mood a big boost, among other benefits. QUIZ FACTS. There's no happiness quick fix. If you get some bad news, make a mistake, or just feel like you’re in a funk, don’t try to pretend you’re happy. Check … Or activities you always wanted to try, such as golf, bowling, or dancing. When you prioritize lending a hand to a co-worker in need, you are actually creating a healthy mental reward system for yourself that promotes self-satisfaction. Track your books. Or adopting a skin care routine that makes you feel indulgent. When a person is troubled, a very specific thing that you can see about... 3. Explore Amazon Book Clubs. Maybe it’s unwinding your workweek with a long, hot bath. Spend time with loved ones. A long walk outside? You can do this while you’re brushing your teeth or just waiting for that snoozed alarm to go off. Well, what rule says you can’t go out alone? Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the idea of what you think will make you happy rather than what actually does. With a little time and practice, you’ll figure out what does and doesn’t work for you. Just remember that everyone’s version of happiness is a little different, and so is their path to achieving it. Spend Your Commute Thinking of 3 Good Things That Happened Today Whatever it is, make time for it. One of the quickest ways to pick yourself back up is to do something kind for someone else. For those stressors you can’t avoid, remind yourself that everyone has stress — there’s no reason to think it’s all on you. Are you happier than you were a year ago? What else can you try? In order to make yourself happy, you should explore the current state of your life, assess your current happiness, and find a direction to work toward that will likely bring greater joy and contentment. Pick up your cell phone to scroll through social media? Try getting involved in a local volunteer group or taking a class. We’re certainly happier when we learn how to cope with obstacles. Talking to a professional can help you get the treatment you need to feel better, which may involve psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. In fact, you’re making whole of your lifestyle healthier by making yourself happy. This kind of smile is associated with positive emotions. All of that is possible only when you take ownership of your life when you take responsibility for the choices you make … Emotions get the best of everyone sometimes, but there are a few things you can do to take back control. Research shows that performing acts of kindness can help you feel more satisfied. Try adding in a new food swap each week. Strive to find people who empower you to become a better version of yourself. Write down how many hours of sleep you get each night and how rested you feel. They’ll still be there for you later. 3. They can be big things, such as knowing that someone loves you or getting a well-deserved promotion. In adulthood, it can feel next to impossible to make new friends. How to Make Yourself Happy. Humans are creatures of habit, and we need constant reminders of … Take stock of your relationships with others. 4. It's a balancing act, so don't devote the lion’s share of energy to pursuing a single goal to the exclusion of other important lifestyle factors. Just remember that happiness isn't a destination. 2019;10:584. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00584, Miller JC, Krizan Z. For example, a recent two-part study found that practicing gratitude can have a significant impact on feelings of hope and happiness. Flip to back Flip to front. This might mean initiating an uncomfortable conversation or putting in some extra work, but the sooner you tackle it, the sooner the pit in your stomach will start to shrink. 4. Simple activities like watching sports... Boost your self-esteem. 1. Here are a few tips to help you build a better sleep routine: If you consistently have problems sleeping, talk to your doctor. Enjoy yourself. 11 Simple Ways To Make Yourself Happy Again 1 Thank Your Pillow. Here is How to Make Yourself Happy 1. There are specific traits of optimists that bring optimists more success, greater health, and increased life satisfaction. You can even use it when you’re just generally feeling down and need to change up your thoughts. Sleep in. When you find yourself waiting for a ride, standing in line at the grocery store, or just with a few minutes to kill, break out the list. Instead of letting yourself get overwhelmed, try to tackle the stressor head-on. Why not work on making positive habits part of your routine? If you’re trying to make positive changes in your life, it’s important to set yourself up to succeed: Like everything else, making yourself happier is a process, so give yourself time to make the changes and see the changes. Regardless of your version of true happiness, living a happier, more satisfied life is within reach. Catch the person’s eye and say it with a smile so they know you mean it. Would it work here? Start My Quiz Now. 3 … There’s no need to. Life is full of stressors, and it’s impossible to avoid all of them. Look for ways that you can make changes, even if they are just small changes at first, that will help you feel more content. Drink plenty of water. Give yourself extra time. In order to make yourself happy, you need to find balance. This doesn’t have to be a reconciliation. 8. Or having a secure network of friends who accept you unconditionally. Try to envision a happy memory or beautiful place. Sign up for a beginner’s class in yoga or tai chi. You may just need to end the relationship and move on. There’s no shame in changing your game. The friends, the relationships, the career, etc. But it’s not about how many friends you have. Write down the happy things that have happened to you during good times. Eating well, being active, and getting enough sleep will make you happier … Take control of your thoughts during these brief windows of time. So, to make yourself happy, it is very important to always say nice things to yourself even when you do something silly. That doesn’t mean you have to go around with a fake smile plastered on your face all the time. Lifestyle, however, is only part of the happiness equation. One Kind Thing in a One Nice Day. Habits matter. How to make yourself happy and love life – The habits you need to learn. Afterward, allow yourself to be relaxed and get enough sleep. 12 Simple Actions to Make Yourself Happy 1. Front Psychol. It’s probably no secret that optimists tend to be happier people, but you may not realize that there’s more to optimism than ‘putting on a happy face or ‘looking on the bright side’. Just think about a time in your life when you didn’t have the things you now have in your life. Maybe even just the warmth of the sun on your skin. Sometimes these things make us happy; other times, we stress over not having reached our goals, or we reach them and find that we’re still not happy. Use perspective. Put everything in its place and toss or give away any extra clutter that’s not serving you anymore. Don’t Listen to that Bad Guy in Your Head. If so, consider reaching out to them in an effort to bury the hatchet. You already know that food choices have an impact on your overall physical health. Acknowledge the feeling of unhappiness, letting yourself experience it for a moment. You also feel more exhilarated (rather than drained) as you tackle these circumstances. Go to your favorite restaurant, take in a movie, or go on that trip you’ve always dreamed of. Make sure you embrace nature more. In addition to spending time with yourself, try to go to a quiet place to make yourself happy. If you want to be a happy and successful person, you need to make sure that your friends have the same vision as you. Talking it over with someone? It is a process of creating a life that brings you joy, purpose, and fulfillment. This can be one of the best ways to relieve stress and to make your mind clearer. Smiling can induce feelings of happiness just as happiness can cause a smile. Exercise isn’t just for your body. And chances are, you’re stronger than you think you are. Here’s how to afford therapy on any budget. 30 Foods High in Sodium and What to Eat Instead, Tips and Strategies for Starting a Running Routine. Slowly breathe out through your mouth or nose. In addition to adding happiness-inducing elements to your lifestyle, you can also work on your habitual thought patterns. Finding ways to make yourself happy often starts with small steps that help you work toward long-term goals. Cultivating the mind of an optimist can not only mean cultivating happiness, regardless of your circumstance, but it can actually bring more things into your life to be happy about. While you may have responsibilities, do not be afraid of living for yourself too. Posted Jul 28, 2016 People who spend a lot of time making money generally do so because they believe that the money itself will make them happy, or will guard them against things that will make them unhappy. You can go to the mountains, the countryside, museums or libraries. They can involve movement, focus, spirituality, or a combination of all three. 3. Close your eyes. We can celebrate our life being alone. In fact, according to the 2017 Harris Poll, a longtime survey on Americans' happiness, just 33 percent of us say that we’re happy.It might seem impossible to get that statistic up, but there are plenty of things you can do to combat those negative emotions preventing you from reaching peak joy. Try doing a shorter amount of time several times a week. Meditate. Though vegetables are incredibly healthy, many people don't get enough servings each day. You arrive for an appointment with 10 minutes to spare. More so, take good care of yourself and achieve your happiness. No one can share with you how you can personally lead a happy life, because getting to happiness is different for each person. Here are 30 foods that tend to be high in sodium — and what to eat instead. The happiness quotes and testimonies are great to read and reaffirm your mission of joy.