Happiness- and ways to find it

Happiness means different things to each of us. But happiness is vital for every single one of us. We deserve to feel happy a lot of the time.

If you don’t feel happy too much of the time- and I don’t mean here being like a permanent grinning Cheshire cat- my thoughts on ways to be improve your feelings of happiness are below. Some will appeal and work for you more than others. Take two or three to try and then consider the effects those particular activities or actions have on moving up your own happiness scale. Keep trying others. Do something daily.
Wishing you happy times!

Enjoy the moment. Try to forget worrying about things that have happened in the past or are on tomorrow’s agenda. Focus on the good things in the here and now.

Smile It is true- a smile is contagious. Try it a few times a day and see the positive effect is has on others and your sense of wellbeing.

Get some fresh air. Just getting out can lift your mood- have a look at the things around you and appreciate nature. Going for a walk gives energy too.

Do things you enjoy. Yes, focus on you. Think about what you like to do and do it regularly, daily if you can: meeting friends, going for a jog, eating a bar of chocolate, drawing, writing or listening to the radio. Whatever it is, ensure you do it!

Look after yourself. Good health and well-being are essential for happiness. Focus on the foundations of eating nutritiously, drinking enough water and taking some form of exercise daily. Your mood will be uplifted on an ongoing basis

Go and do something. Yes, don’t sit there and mope. Too much self analysis and thought can be damaging if not focused constructively. Do something- anything! Get up and about, go outside, meet people, take a walk- just ensure you do something if you are feeling low.

Say no. Don’t take on tasks or responsibilities which you feel you should but you don’t actually want to. You may be putting yourself under pressure in doing so. Instead, assertively explain your reason for declining.

Use your talents. If you have a gift or a talent, use it. Find pleasure in doing so and in sharing your skills with others.

Exercise. Find something you enjoy doing and do it regularly. Plan it into your week and stick to it.

Meet up with your ‘buzz’ people. Set aside time - it doesn’t have to be much-to spend with the people who make you feel good, the people whose company you enjoy and make the effort to see them regularly.

Listen to music. Enjoy spending time listening to music that gives you the ‘feel good’ factor.

Compliment, praise and appreciate others. Make an effort to recognise something about someone every single day.

Tidy Up. If your office, desk or areas at home need a tidy up and clear out, review how good you feel once this is done. Make space to think and be.

Make a ‘To Do’ List. Write down everything that needs done, personally and professionally. Enjoy the success in being able to cross off each thing, one by one. Continually update and monitor your list and recognise the progress you are making.

Arrange something special. If you enjoy a nice meal out, a trip to the cinema or theatre, a visit to an Art Gallery or whatever it is that you gain enjoyment from, ensure you have something planned and to look forward to. Try to make this happen at least once a month.

Do something different. Be brave! Go and do something completely new and something you feel excited about. Join an evening class, a supper club, visit somewhere you’ve never been before, ask someone out, or to come with you, or if you are a busy person, enjoy being alone and catching up with yourself.

Switch off the laptop or the television. A change from doing the same old thing can improve your mood.

Take up a new hobby or concentrate on an existing one. Review the thing that you would really like to focus on, that gives you energy and happiness and that you enjoy and make plans to do it!

Review your achievements. Don’t forget your successes and strengths, the things you are good at and that other people appreciate about you. Write them down and read them regularly out loud to yourself.

Appreciate the people who are special to you. Tell them what they mean to you, and why.

Be calm. Recognise your signs of stress and minimise the situations you feel like this.

Learn to love yourself. If that’s too difficult to start with then learn to like yourself. Appreciate who you are and what you bring to others. Understand your strengths, your skills, your values and your successes. Know what makes you different and unique. This is also a great starting point to increased confidence.

Look after your financial affairs. Get you paperwork and finances in order. Pay bills on time and understand your level of income and expenditure. Seek professional help if you are in financial difficulty. Debt gets people down.

Get enough sleep. Seven hours is good for most people to recharge.

Many people wish ‘to be happier’. It is important to understand in what particular area of their life they want to feel this. Life coaching explores this and works to set goals and take action to achieve a happier life. Change is vital.

Go on, ....try it! An exciting, happy journey lies ahead!

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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