Luckily, there are many habits that will help you be happy every day.
I went to the experts to learn which habits will make you the happiest.
TherapistKimberly Hershensonrecommended, “Keep a daily gratitude list.
List ten things you are grateful for, which can be anything from reality TV to your family.”
Sherry Samuels, certified life coach, told me that cultivating gratitude also has more long-lasting effects.
Take care of yourself
Do you find yourself taking care of everyone else before yourself?
If so, it’s time to put more energy into self-care.
Taking time for yourself will help center you."
Samuels pointed out the tendency of women to take care of everyone else first.
Emily Griffin, a licensed clinical professional counselor, agreed and shared her weekly self-care habit with me.
“Plan at least one activity a week where you are doing something that only benefits you.
For example, every Sunday morning I go paddle boarding.
I never plan anything else at that time to ensure that I get my me time.”
For example, they are trying to change their significant other or their work environment.
This lack of acceptance leads to constant frustration that prevents them from being happy."
If you accept your reality, you will be much more resilient.
She added, “Allowing ourselves to be fully present feeds opportunities for happy moments and memories.”
When you are present, you are able to find peace and enjoyment right here and now.
Unfortunately, much of dwelling on the past is not spent thinking of our happy times.
We’re more likely to dwell on times we’d actually prefer to forget.
When we look to the future, it’s often with anxiety rather than excitement."
At first it will seem strange, and then you will find yourself smiling for no reason."
She added, " Smiling at others brings happiness.
You will begin to notice and appreciate the little things.
Over time, you will seek opportunities to be happy."
She added, “Smile and say hello at every encounter.
People respond to positivity and interact with you differently when you engage in a happy manner.
She also pointed out the physiological effects of smiling.
“Smiling has a positive effect on your body chemistry.
When you’re too focused on getting everything ‘just right,’ anxiety tends to increase.
She pointed out some of the positive effects of letting go of perfection.
“you could decrease your anxiety.
It also tends to save you time and energy.
What will you do with this extra time and energy?
Hopefully you’ll pour it into something you enjoy more.”
She suggested choosing one or two things to focus on doing less than perfectly.
“For example, when you’re cleaning, are you scrubbing until it’s spotless?
Maybe 90 percent clean is good enough.
I know I’m not alone in this.
But comparing yourself to others is a fast track to unhappiness.
By not comparing yourself to others, you lessen the chance of lowering your self-esteem.
When we see the perfect lives and perfect families on display it can make us feel inadequate.”
Diane Passage, empowerment life coach, agreed.
“There will always be people who seem to be ‘better than’ the rest of us.
All you have to do is stop those thoughts in their tracks.
“That little voice that always puts you down is your worst enemy.
She added, “What we tell ourselves greatly affects our mood.
If we stop putting ourselves down and stop beating ourselves up we are guaranteed to be happier.
We need to talk to ourselves like we would talk to a friend.”
Your accomplishments don’t have to be huge, either.
Set an alarm on your phone for the same time each day that reminds you to track your successes.
Do not forget that no success is too small!”
Plus, it is beneficial to our health and the healthier we are, the happier we are.”
You don’t even have to go to the gym to fit more exercise into your day.
Sabla suggested, “Daily movement is a great habit to get into.
It can be as easy as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
you’ve got the option to even get more fit when you’re watching television.
Or perhaps, during commercial breaks you do squats or jumping jacks.
Short, little things like that add up.”
Let go of worry and negativity
Do you find yourself struggling with worry and anxiety?
If so, take a stab at let those worries go.
This way of thinking has a tremendous negative emotional impact on the individual.
He added, “Worry is a huge happiness crusher.
Being consumed by negative thinking makes happiness impossible.
Worry is living tomorrow today which robs one of the happiness they could have at that moment.”
Samuels told me, “Sometimes we forget who we are.
It is easier for us, as women, to speak life into everyone but ourselves.
And awesome energy is happy energy.”
It is most helpful to take your own inventory every day.
Take it one day at a time
Habits take time to develop and stick to.
I asked the experts for some tips on how to keep practicing happiness.
Patience and perseverance will pay off.”
Samuels added, “Be realistic.
When making many changes at one time it is easy to become overwhelmed.
And with overwhelm comes a strong desire to give up.
As much as we may want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, we cannot do it in a day.
