As humans We want to wake up and feel content, at peace with who we are and the life we’re living.
Being and staying happy is a process and something you have to continue to work on. It’s not rocket science. In fact, some of the best ways to feel more fulfilled are surprisingly simple.
Here are 9 everyday things you can do to feel a little lighter, calmer, and yes happier!
Cherish your social circle
Good relationships are important. This doesn’t mean having a partner as you can also be happy when you are single. Happiness ’s about the quality you have with your close relationships; your partner, family, good friends. Quality is more important than quantity.
And if certain relationships leave you feeling drained or small, it might be time to take a step back. You deserve connections that lift you up, not weigh you down.
Smile!
You can trick your brain into feeling happy, even if you don’t feel it inside, by smiling. Signals are then passed on that actually make you feel better. It’s weird, but it works. Plus, have you noticed how people usually smile back? It’s a tiny exchange that can change the vibe of your whole day.
Choose Moments Over Things
Think about your favorite memory. Is it something you bought or something you did? Most of the time, it’s the experiences that really matter. Buying moments does not necessarily have to be that you have booked a trip, a dinner with someone, done a certain activity somewhere. It can of course also be a walk in the woods or a cup of coffee with someone.
Buying something can give you a quick high, sure. But investing in experiences big or small is what really fills your happiness tank.
Stop the Comparison Game
Comparison steals your joy. It makes you focus on what’s missing instead of what’s already good in your world.
Try flipping the script. What if, instead of comparing, you just noticed and appreciated? You can be inspired by someone without feeling “less than.”
Get Into the Habit of Gratitude
Focus on what is going well in your life, it has a huge effect on your sense of well-being. If you write down every day what you are grateful for that day, this seems to have an effect on your brain, and therefore an effect on how you feel.
Affirmations
Affirmations might feel awkward at first, like you’re giving yourself a pep talk in the mirror. But they work! Affirmations are positively formulated sentences that you repeat regularly. You write them in the first person and in the present tense. By doing this you (re)program your brain. Over time, those words can replace the negative self-talk you didn’t even realize was running in the background.
Try Yoga, Mindfulness, or Meditation (Start Small)
Yoga is both mentally and physically strenuous and relaxing. Within yoga you also practice breathing techniques and meditation. Mindfulness ensures, among other things, more awareness of yourself and your environment, gives you insights and relaxation. Meditation can, for example, give you immediate calm and relaxation, but certainly in the long run; you increase your concentration and your awareness and it can provide more equanimity.
Choose your hobby
Hobbies can be anything; reading, movies, cooking, team sports, making music, writing, photography, woodworking, painting, yoga, sports, meditation, basically anything is possible if it is something that you enjoy. Maybe your work is also your hobby! Great. Doing or making something is good for the brain and your happiness hormone.
And no, they don’t need to be productive or Instagram-worthy. Just enjoyable
Give Yourself a Break (Literally)
In a world that’s always go-go-go, rest is revolutionary. Schedule a night off. Say no when you need to. Put yourself on your own calendar if that’s what it takes.
Even ten quiet minutes with a cup of tea can feel like a mini-vacation. And if you’ve got big goals, break them into baby steps. Little wins = big momentum.
Final Thought: Start Where You Are
You don’t have to do all 9 things today. This isn’t about overhauling your life overnight. Pick one or two that speak to you and start there. Give yourself permission to figure it out as you go.
