We're all in the pursuit of happiness, but why do so few seem to find it? Here's a list of 17 things that you can do to live a happier life:
1. Don't compare yourself to others. You weren't meant to be like anyone else. You have your own gifts and abilities that are unique to you. Theodore Roosevelt once asserted that "comparison is the theft of joy."
2. Forget about what others think of you. Their opinion is their reality, not yours; unless you let it be. As long as you get up every day and do your best to live according to your values and manifest your own dreams, who cares what anyone else thinks?! At the end of the day, what matters is what you think of yourself.
3. Take time to yourself. In such a busy world it's not uncommon to become mentally and emotionally drained. Sometimes we all need to turn off the noise and allow ourselves to surrender to the present. I recommend mindfulness exercises daily to mitigate stress and remain focused. It's important to live in the present because it's all there ever will be. The past and the future are merely an illusion that blinds us from appreciating now. It will always be now, so enjoy it. For a list of mindfulness techniques click on the image below.
4. Follow your passions. Too often we give up on the thing that makes our heart beat the most because it seems unrealistic. Well, I can't predict the future but I do know for sure that your dream has a 0% chance of manifestation if you don't try. I also know that the body that you live in today won't be around forever. Why not use it to do what you love while it's yours? Some insist that passion is not coincidence; it's your calling.
5. Guard your thoughts. Hey, life has its ups and downs, but more important than any experience is how we internalize it. Charles Swindoll once stated that "attitude is more important that facts." You may think that you're being a "realist" but the only reality that you must experience is the one you create. Trust me, you can find a bright side to anything if you try. There's also a correlation between optimism and goal accomplishment, which truly makes sense if you think about it. Those who are negative typically perceive obstacles as confirmation of their previously held attitude and give up, while the optimist perceives the obstacle as just another step in the process.
6. Choose friends wisely. Let's face it, we all know that one person who never has anything positive to say, and we also know that misery loves its company. We take on the attitudes and behaviors of the people that we spend the most time with. Sometimes it's best to love from a distance.
7. Exercise. I know, we've all heard this but it is truly the best way to release those endorphins that make you feel good. Your hormones can have a HUGE effect on your mood, so keep them in check with daily exercise. Best advice: Don't overdo it. It's more important that you make a consistent habit of exercise rather than push yourself too hard in the beginning and give up. Take it slow and do what you can.
8. Don't give up! Remember, we all have bad days, we've all made mistakes, we've all failed at something - we're all human. Nothing ever works out the way that we imagine it in our minds, but if you persist you will progressively get better and eventually succeed. It has been said that "your dream doesn't have an expiration date. Take a deep breathe and try again." Success is not a point that you reach, it is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.
9. Avoid addiction. I'm a firm believer of enjoying all things in moderation, but if you can't exercise moderation in your indulgences then maybe you should avoid them. It is better to sacrifice something that you enjoy than to be a slave to it. I'm not just talking about drugs or alcohol either, you can become addicted to anything!
10. Eat a well-balanced diet. You truly are what you eat, so it's no wonder that our health is declining so rapidly today. Not only does your health effect your physical well-being, but also your psychological health. For starters, consider the impact that it has on your self-esteem. Not to mention the fact that our bodies have nutrition requirements that conventional, processed food just doesn't offer. Take a stroll through the produce isle. Learn to cook healthy meals. Not only will it improve your health but you'll also gain a valuable skill.
12. Get consistent sleep. Sleep has a profound effect on our psychological well-being. Have a set time that you go to bed each night and get up at that same time each morning. Give yourself enough time to get adequate rest. If you have trouble falling asleep as I do, look into melatonin supplements. Melatonin is a natural hormone made by the pineal gland that helps control your sleep and wake cycles. Supplements are cheap and available in most any drug store or large retailer.
13. Forgive others. Resentment is poison. Forgive not because they deserve it, but because you do. Even if you do manage to "get even," it's not going to change the state of your life - and think of the time you've wasted on someone that doesn't matter! Those that are meant to be in your life will be there so forget those that aren't. Forgive them and move on.
15. Help others. One of the best feelings that you can get is from helping others. Small acts of kindness not only make you feel good, but think of what they do for the person you help. Imagine how many people could be affected by a single act of kindness.
16. Set goals. Write down your goals and read them often. Don't limit your goals, but be realistic about them. If your dream is to visit the moon, write it down! Just don't expect it to happen tomorrow. Consider the path that you could take to achieve your dream and break it down into smaller steps. Just get up each day and make tangible progress towards your goals. Time is gonna pass either way, so why not spend it working towards something that you want to achieve? You're guaranteed to never see your dream come to life if you don't try!
17. Realize that you have reason to be happy right NOW! Not when you get the financial freedom that you seek, not when you find the love of your life - not any imaginary point that you think you must reach to be happy! Trust me, this "point" is an illusion and if attained will just become a part of the norm that you take for granted while wishing for the next thing that will make you happy. Don't waste your entire life waiting to be happy, do it now! Something that helps me is to write down the things that I have to be grateful for on notecards and read them each morning before I start my day. You'd be surprised the difference it can make!
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