7 things happy people do every day
Being happy is not genetic; It is a state of mind. Abraham Lincoln said, “Most people are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” That said, it’s obvious that many of us have a hard time deciding to be happy and stay in that happy place. Some of us invite drama, depressing news, or our own self-destructive behaviors, and then wonder why we just don’t feel happy. There will always be external circumstances that can influence us temporarily, but wouldn’t it be nice to stay in that happy place, regardless of the ups and downs?
You can get to that place of sustainable happiness and stay there. Consistently happy people have several things in common that they do regularly, including some that we share below. Start incorporating them into your daily life and get to that happy place!
1. Choose to be happy! First of all, it is a choice if you want to be happy or if you want to be miserable. Life happens and as long as we let it rock our world and feel like the victim, we can never achieve true happiness. Make the decision to be happy even for a short time each day. Eventually you will have happy days and it will become natural.
2. Choose to take care of yourself. This means getting some form of exercise every day, whether it’s going to the gym, walking, yoga, or riding a bike. Our bodies need to keep moving, it helps to raise serotonin levels, which is the “happiness hormone”. It is also important to be careful about what you put in your mouth. Items sold in packages are what we call “non-food” items. The more processed foods you eat, the slower you’ll feel.
3. Choose to surround yourself with people who make you happy. It’s amazing how many people we know surround themselves with unhealthy and unpleasant people. This includes the family. You have a choice in the people you spend your time with. If you have people in your life who are unkind, engrossed in drama, or just plain bitter and angry, stop hanging out with them! It’s better to have a few good people to spend time with than a lot of people who wear you out. We give you full permission to decline family or other invitations if they are not people you enjoy being with.
4. Choose to be grateful. We all have much to be thankful for and opening your eyes to see that will bring more to be thankful for. Happy people live in a state of gratitude no matter what is going on in their lives. In difficult times, you can still be thankful for the sun that shines every day or the food on the table. Choose gratitude!
5. Choose to be kind. There’s enough hate in the world to go around, so start spreading the kindness. Say a few nice words to the cashier, stop gossiping, hold the door for someone behind you, or smile and wave at someone who lets you walk past. Kindness is so simple and it makes you feel good. Don’t expect anything in return, do it because you want to. Happy people are kind and selfless people.
6. Choose to accept life as it comes. The happiest people are able to accept things as they are. As soon as we start to have expectations and allow ourselves to be disappointed, it becomes harder to stay happy. Let things roll off your back like water off a duck. Accept things for what they are and know that everything is happening exactly as it is supposed to. The faster you can stop trying to control things, the happier you will be.
7. Choose to enjoy life. Happiness comes from being able to enjoy life. Many people are so caught up in the routine of work, home, and family that they don’t take time to enjoy life. Happy people enjoy life despite their daily routine. Anyone can have fun running errands, exercising, and just relaxing at home.