What is the secret behind happiness?

When many of us think about what makes us happy, we are inclined to focus on “things” in life that we desire. There is a belief that somehow having these “things” will make us feel better about ourselves. However, happiness is a state of being content, not loading on a pile of stuff that won’t bring long-term happiness into our lives.
Some people believe that if they had riches, beauty, or success, they’d be happy, but that’s not always true. There are numerous examples of people with these characteristics who are still unhappy. Why is happiness so elusive? Simply put, our brains are just not wired that way; they have evolved with instincts to survive and protect us. Many of us have moments of joy and phases of contentment, but we are mostly filled with negative thoughts and emotions. How can we focus on finding more happiness in our life?

Here are some things you can do daily to unveil the secrets of becoming happier:

Focus on the Positives & Practice Mindfulness
To achieve long-term happiness, it is crucial to converting your brain from keeping a negative mindset to a positive one. Try spending a few minutes every day looking at the positives in your life, and after a while, your brain will automatically have a positive outlook. By being non-judgemental and accepting our feelings, we are practicing mindfulness. Being present and aware while accepting our challenges decreases stress and helps us see situations in a proper light.

Give Back:
By being generous with our time and money, we are investing in our good health. Giving to those in need or loved ones creates selflessness and humanitarianism within ourselves. It has a significant effect that lowers stress and blood pressure.

Stop Comparing:
Comparing yourself to everyone or others’ possessions can make us feel like the grass is greener on their side. Stop allowing envy, resentment, and insecurities to rob us from appreciating the wonderful things we do have.

Do not Constantly Worry:
When we constantly worry, it creates anxiety and plagues our minds with negative thoughts and emotions. Being consumed by worry keeps us from feeling joy or contentment. Sometimes we tend to think that a problem is worse than it is, even in situations that we have no control over.

Do Meaningful Work:
It is essential to pursue goals that are momentous and align with our values and priorities. Engaging in any kind of meaningful work, whether that’s part-time or full-time, can improve our lives significantly.

Practice Self-Care:
Make it a priority for yourself to exercise daily, drink a lot of water, eat healthily, and sleep well. Self-care should not take a backseat to all the other tasks on our schedule. Having a healthy body automatically relieves anxiety and stress from our lives.

There are always solutions to our problems; it just takes time and patience to figure them out.

Take control. Make a conscious effort to be more grateful and nurture important relationships. Celebrate even the smallest victories, find a work-life balance, accept imperfection, spend time in nature, and most importantly, don’t forget to live in the moment.