Simple habits so you can be happier every day.
A really interesting and recent survey found that 46% of people are happy and 21% are unhappy so there’s clearly some work to be done so that we can all be happier every day.
Happiness means different things for different people. It could be enjoying going to work every day. Or having a loving family. Or being financially free.
Regardless of what your vision for happiness is, it’s possible to live a happier, more fulfilling life every single day. We sometimes just need to make a few small tweaks to our life habits.
Habits are important. If you’ve ever tried breaking a bad habit, you’ll be fully aware of how difficult this is. They can become deeply engrained.
Luckily for us, good habits can also become deeply engrained too. The purpose of this post is to look at 5 simples habits we can incorporate into our lives to help make us happier every single day.
If some of these habits don’t work well with your lifestyle, replace them with something else quickly. You don’t want to get stuck doing something you don’t like as that completely defeats the purpose of trying to be happier every day.
Let’s take a look.
One simple habit to practice so you can be happier every day is to smile more
We typically smile when we’re happy. And luckily for us it’s a two-way street.
We will smile when we are happy, and whilst we are smiling the brain starts to release dopamine which then makes us even happier.
This doesn’t mean that walking around all day with a fake smile will magically make us happier. However, next time you feel a little down, crack a smile and see if your mood changes.
Another great tip is when you wake up to look in the mirror and smile back at yourself. It may feel a little strange at first but see if it helps you start the day on a happier footing.
Do More Exercise
Exercise is great for both our body and mind. Keeping a regular exercise routine can help lower stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
It can also help to boost self-esteem and happiness by releasing endorphins throughout your body.
The trick for exercise to make yourself happier is to start off slowly. Don’t overexert yourself too quickly as you’ll probably just get frustrated and sore very quickly.
You could start by:
- Going for a gentle walk after dinner every night
- Starting yoga lessons 3 times per week
- Ending your day with 10 minutes of stretching
Exercise can also be stuff that you generally really enjoy doing too. Think back to which sport you used to play when you were a kid. If it’s football, play that once a week. If it’s dancing, go to dancing lessons once a week.
See your friends more and be happier every day
We are social animals – we enjoy being around our friends so try to do it more often.
Think about which friends you miss or haven’t seen for a long time and reach out to them. Get a date in the diary to meet up or simply just schedule a call together.
As an adult, it can sometimes feel really hard to make new friends.
However, it doesn’t really matter how many friends you have, it’s the type of relationship you actually have with your friends. Even if it is just one or two people.
Having a companion doesn’t always have to be other humans too. Studies show that having pets has similar benefits to having a human friend.
Less screen time
Less screen time, and particularly less phone time can do wonders for being happier every day.
Our phones are often the first thing we pick up in the morning and the last thing we look at before we go to bed. We are often reading some bad news going on around the world or comparing ourselves to others and feeling unfulfilled.
Try keeping away from your phone for a couple of hours every day. Use that time to let your mind wander for a change. You could read a book, go for a walk, do some productive studying, or do some exercise.
It’s totally up to you as long as you don’t look at your phone.
If a couple of hours each day feels daunting to begin with, start with half an hour and slowly build up. Make it a goal to add 20 minutes each week.
Less screen time can also include the TV too. Instead of automatically turning the TV on when you get home, reach for your book instead or do something different.
Go And Enjoy Nature
According to studies, spending just 30 or more minutes a week in green spaces has the ability to lower blood pressure and depression.
The green space doesn’t have to be a huge forest, it can be your local park or even your back garden. Anywhere that you can enjoy some nature and fresh air.
If you really want to supercharge your happiness, go outside and fit some exercise in too.
The study suggests just 30 extra minutes a week which should be relatively easy for everyone.
Try and challenge yourself to get outside for 30 minutes each day and watch how your mood improves over time.
Summary
We all have the ability to lead happy lives. Sometimes we just need a little nudge to remind us what habits we should build into our lives to help us along the way.
This simple list of happiness habits should not be beyond the reach of anyone. However, if you don’t enjoy doing anything off this list, stop doing it. The whole point is to be doing stuff that helps make you happier every day
4 Comments
A wonderful reminder that happiness is in our control. These seem simple enough to do! I especially like to spend time in nature and would like to do that more.
I’m a lover of small habits that can make a big difference in life. And like you, getting out in nature is important to me Sandra. It feeds my soul. 🙂
Absolutely, happiness is in our daily habits. We can help our brains be happy or the opposite. Many of us, unknowingly, reinforce anxiety and depression. These are all good suggestions for an upward trend. Exercise and nature are two of my staples.
Hi Debbie – I hear you about exercise and nature. Just simple things can change our world if we would be try them.