Life’s too short not to be happy most of the time! Here are 11 ways to get happier and live more content right now.
None of us are happy 100% of the time, but ask yourself, could you be happier in your life? Chances are, we could all use a little more smiles and joy in our lives. Life is too short for us to just be going through the motions, feeling sad or sorry for ourselves, or dwelling on what could be.
Social media doesn’t make it easier on us either. All too often tempting us to play the dangerous comparison game and measure our value by the number of followers we have, or likes we get. Luckily, there are so many things we can do (right now) to channel our inner Mary Poppins and get happier.
Here are 11 ways to get happier.
1. Go on a Digital Detox
Whether you commit to only checking social media a couple of times a day, not reading emails past 6 o’clock, or deleting your Facebook for the foreseeable future, try taking a little vacation from the anxiety-inducing, obsession-fueling frenzy that is social media. Instead of texting a friend, give them a call. Replace that time you would have normally spent scrolling on Instagram with a task you enjoy that you haven’t done enough of lately. Maybe it’s reading, journaling, or having a real, uninterrupted conversation with your significant other before bed. Just give it a try. We promise you’ll feel emotionally lighter, and that you really won’t have any FOMO.
2. Follow the Seven Second Rule
When you find yourself feeling agitated that someone cut you off on your drive home, or upset that you still haven’t heard back about that job interview, try taking seven seconds. During these seven seconds, take a breather, find some perspective, forgive someone, find some calm. The whole concept of this rule is letting yourself feel what you feel in that moment, obsess about it (just for seven seconds though), and then pull a Taylor, shake it off, and let it go. Of course there are exceptions to major upsets and sometimes we just need to wallow in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s but for little things, seven seconds is the most you should spend dwelling on whatever has you down or annoyed. Time spent frustrated, angry, or upset is wasted time, so take those seven seconds if you must, and then let it go! You’ll be amazed at the difference this makes.
3. Find Your Work/Life Balance
Sometimes the line between our work and our personal life gets a little blurry, and it can be challenging not letting one interfere with the other. Work, deadlines, and the stresses that come with them often follows us home. That’s why it’s crucial to take time to decompress when you get home. Don’t dive back into work. And if you must work at home, make sure you’re taking breaks, and also make sure it’s not the last thing you’re doing before you go to bed.
4. Get Moving (preferably outside)
It’s scientific proof that exercise not only benefits our physical health, but also our mental health, releasing mood-boosting endorphins that can drastically improve mental wellness. So when you’re feeling “blah” sad, aggravated, or upset, sweat it all out on a run and, or take a Zumba class and dance it off. We guarantee it’ll make you feel better. Even just taking 10 minutes to do some crunches or jumping jacks can have a big impact.
5. Be Generous
Doing something nice for someone else makes us feel good. Whether you buy coffee for the person in line behind you at Starbucks, send a card (just ’cause) to a friend, or help out a homeless person, committing an act of kindness for another person is a humbling and gratifying experience that will not only put a smile on someone else’s face, but a smile on yours as well.
6. Create (or Just Do) a Hobby
It’s simple — do more of what makes you happy. Making things and expressing ourselves artistically can bring us so much joy and catharsis. Also, take little breaks throughout your day to jam out to a favorite song, watch a funny Youtube video, or do a word puzzle.
7. Tackle at Least One Thing From Your To-Do List
Maybe it’s scheduling your next teeth cleaning, dropping off items at Goodwill, or backing up your computer — no matter how mundane or low on the priority totem pole it may be, having one more thing you can cross off your to-do list will immediately make you feel less overwhelmed, and more productive.
8. Give Yourself Fewer Choices
Being presented with too many options tends to overwhelm and paralyze us when it comes time to make a decision. Maybe you’re lost in a sea of product reviews on Amazon, or trying to figure out the recipes you want to cook for the week. Whatever you’re doing, narrow down your options (for example, say you’re only going to look at 10 reviews, or you’re going to pick four items on the menu to choose from), then quickly make a decision, feel good about that decision, and move on!
9. Get Some Sleep
It may seem a bit obvious, but squeezing in even just an extra hour of z’s into your day can make a world of difference on your disposition. Sleep works wonders on our physical and mental health, thus making us feel much better in general.
10. Feng Shui
Whether you buy a new plant or rug, put up some curtains, or rearrange your living room, you’d be surprised how big of a difference aesthetic changes to our environment can have on our attitude and perspective. Add more hygge to your home and you’ll find that making your living space calm and comforting will help make you feel more calm and definitely happier. Even just taking five or 10 minutes to pick up around the house can have a big impact on your mood.
And when all else fails…
11. Fake it ‘Til You Make it
It might sound crazy, but research actually shows that smiling more (even if it’s forced), decreases stress, in turn, making you happier. Try starting each morning with a big, goofy smile on your face and you’ll set the mood for your day and will quickly see how infectious that smile is on others (also, it makes you more approachable). And while you’re at it, think happy thoughts, because studies have also shown that the power of positive thinking can improve your health, work, and overall happiness.
So that’s our list but we want to know from you! How do you find happiness in your life? Leave a comment below and share your tips for success.
Scheduling more time to live is the core to discovering more happiness in your day, and here’s how: Purchase your very own 2018 Nourished Planner and change the way you live. Last year’s planner sold out so quickly so don’t delay! These won’t be around all year! To see a quick run-down of what you can expect in this year’s version of the 2018 planner, click here.
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