Daily Habits For Happiness
Happiness looks different for everyone. For you, maybe it’s being at peace with who you are. Or having a secure network of friends who accept you unconditionally. Or the freedom to pursue your deepest dreams. Regardless of your version of true happiness, living a happier, more satisfying life is within reach. A few tweaks to your regular habits can help you get there.
Habits matter. If you’ve ever tried breaking a bad habit, you know all too well how ingrained they are. Good habits are deeply ingrained, too. Why not work on making positive habits part of your routine?
1. Get plenty of sleep
No matter how much modern society steers us toward less sleep, we know that adequate sleep is a vital to good health, brain function, and emotional well-being. Most adults need about 7 or 8 hours of sleep every night.
2. Exercise & meditation
Exercise isn’t just for your body. Regular exercise can help to reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and symptoms of depression while boosting self-esteem and happiness. Even a small amount of physical activity can make a difference. You don’t have to train for a triathlon or scale a cliff — unless that’s what makes you happy, of course. I also like to incorporate some time for meditation, quiet the monkey mind.
3. Practice gratitude
Simply being grateful can give your mood a big boost, among other benefits. For example, a recent two-part study found that practicing gratitude can have a significant impact on feelings of hope and happiness. Start each day by acknowledging at least one thing you’re grateful for.
You can do this while you’re brushing your teeth (a great mindfulness practice — while you are brushing your teeth, just think about brushing the teeth, stay in the moment — resist the urge to start going over your list of to-do’s for the day)
As you go about your day, try to keep an eye out for pleasant things in your life, and acknowledging them.
4. Give a compliment
Research shows that performing random acts of kindness can help you feel more satisfied. Giving a sincere compliment is a quick, easy way to brighten someone’s day while giving your own happiness a boost. Catch the person’s eye and say it with a smile so they know you mean it.