Six things happy people do

Winter has now moved on. Spring has arrived. The sun is shining. But you still have a nagging feeling of sadness and negativity. Will you ever feel happier?

When we are in a pattern of negative thinking, we tend to focus on all the things that go wrong, all our weaknesses, the people who annoy us, and all the criticism we get. We also look to the nearest person to blame for the way we feel. They could be a partner, work colleague or friend/relative.

To top it off we lack energy and vigour feeling like a big slob who can’t be bothered to do very much. We have an excuse too - “I am too tired to do anything”. Does this sound familiar?

Did you know that you are in complete control of how you feel at any time? You can change your state at any point from feeling low and sad, to uplifted and energised. So if you want to change the way you feel, would you be willing to invest a little bit of “happy hour” into your day?

If you are looking to make a change to your mood for the better, then you might want a reminder of some of things happy people do:

1. Clear out the rubbish

When you feel low, there will be feelings and emotions that you are suppressing in some way. Our emotions are meant to move through us (e-motion) and when they get stuck, they build up like a rolling stone gathers moss. People who are more uplifting and positive have often felt and dealt with their emotions - either by talking about what is bothering them to a friend or relative, writing a journal, or seeking out a professional for support. 

Is there a situation or someone you need to let go of? Are you holding grudges or carrying burdens? If you are unsure grab some paper and write out all the people or things that are bugging you right now and work it back to the last time you can remember feeling happy. It’s worth having a good dig down to really understand and acknowledge your feelings. Then you can work on changing how you feel.

2. Notice your body language 

Have you ever compared the body language of someone who looks unhappy or anxious to someone who seems happy and content? It is scientifically proven that body language has a fundamental impact on our mood. If you find yourself slumped at your desk or walking around with your head and shoulders down you are replicating the body language of an unhappy person.

Notice how it feels to sit more up-right at your desk and walk with your head up, maybe even a force a smile. Instantly you will notice a change in your state and feel more confident as a result. 

3. Set goals or intentions

Happy people often know what they want in life. They will have some idea of where they are going and what they want to achieve as a result. Having goals is essential to personal success.

Many experiments have been carried out comparing groups of people who previously set goals to those who didn’t over a period of time. The result was that those who set goals achieved success far more rapidly than those who didn’t. As a result they feel happier because they are always moving forward.

4. Celebrate

How often do you notice when you have overcome an obstacle or challenge? Do you ever look back and celebrate your progress or share your positive experiences with other people? 

Feeling a sense of achievement is very important to your happiness and well-being because the subconscious mind likes to experience new things and then measure progress. The mind likes to be stretched and challenged so it will always be looking for situations and experiences it can grow from.

Happy people notice when they’ve done a job done well. They appreciate feedback and constructive criticism from other people, and are open to receive it so they can apply it and make positive changes. It’s OK to make mistakes - everyone makes mistakes! And it’s really positive when you can hold your hands up and admit you’ve made a mistake and take responsibility.

When you achieve something, however small it may be, make sure you celebrate how far you have come, rather than how far you have to go.

5. Be the captain of your life

No one else should take responsibility for how you feel and this can seem difficult to comprehend at first. When you blame another person for making you feel a certain way, you are shifting responsibility for your feelings to them. If you do this then you have no control or power over your own feelings. In addition you will be waiting a long time for happiness too.

No one can be responsible for our feelings and nor can we be responsible for someone else’s. We can’t control what other people say or do to us, but we can control how we respond to them. This works both ways and when you affirm and implement this way of thinking into your life, a wonderful feeling of empowerment will come over you. As a result your self-esteem will improve and you’ll be the captain of your life!

6. Get out

Happy people generally move their body more often. They take walks, do some gentle exercise, take up a hobby and make an effort to meet new people. If you find yourself working through your lunch break or slumped on the sofa most evenings then no wonder you’re feeling a little down in the dumps.

Fresh air and the great outdoors is important to our health and doing exercise gives your brain a chance to get some fresh oxygen and let go of the stresses of work or home life. As a result you will feel uplifted and ready for action. 

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The views expressed in this article are those of the author. All articles published on Life Coach Directory are reviewed by our editorial team.

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Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AF
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Written by Caroline Rushforth
Stress & Burnout Specialist for Leaders and Business Owners
location_on Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1AF
Caroline is a specialist working with busy women who have a cluttered mind, negative thoughts and at risk of burnout. Caroline’s unique approach transforms fear and anxiety into clarity and freedom through her specially designed three-step system. If...
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