We all need to be happy. When we have a sense of joy and contentment, life feels a lot more manageable and fulfilling. Sometimes we feel we have to work for that happiness, but are hit with a complete mental block on how to attain it. Don’t fret! We have a few tips on hand to help you improve your happiness and way of life.
1. Walking
When we’ve got an unsettled mind, we can do ourselves harm by letting it gestate, especially if we’re surrounded by constant reminders. It helps to take yourself out of that environment and clear your head. Take a walk among nature, away from technology; find out how you can let your mind wander without being ruled by a smartphone. If you want to take it a step further, break into a small jog, which will release endorphins that can help to offset symptoms of depression, as proven by previous studies.
2. Create a Safe Space
You need to have an area that is a designated stress-free zone. Somewhere where you can unwind when life feels overwhelming. It must be a place filled with comforts, such as favorite candies to indulge a sweet tooth or books that you enjoy reading. Everything in the space must have positive associations. While your safe space could be any area of your choice, your bedroom is an ideal haven as our quality of sleep relies on our comfort and security. Equipping your bedroom with a comfortable mattress and black-out curtains will contribute to a consistently great sleep that, in turn, will support a better mood.
3. Reconnect with Your Values
We all live by a certain set of principles that guide the choices we make in life. Sometimes we run the risk of forgetting those values. Other times we lose sight of all those occasions when that silent reminder can lead to a happier outcome. Research has previously revealed that taking the time to recognize your values will render you more adept at dealing with psychological stress.
4. Try a New Hobby
The danger of living by a safe and repetitive routine can be hazardous. We risk experiencing a mental block that hinders us from trying anything outside our comfort zone, potentially sabotaging our personal growth. Sometimes, it helps to be daring and try something new. It could be something that you enjoy, like learning a new skill, or an unknown experience, such as traveling to a new country.
5. Surround Yourself with the Right Colors
The colors you associate with speak volumes about the mindset you take on. Many colors are associated with certain attitudes, for example, black is associated with depressive thoughts, while red is associated with strong emotions and flaring anger. Research has revealed that colors of a cool hue, such as blue, purple, and green promote feelings of calmness. This association can come in various forms, such as the clothes you wear, the way you decorate your living area and safe space, or even in terms of the items you use. Other colors that encourage happiness include yellow and orange.
6. Find a Cuddly Pet
You may not be an animal lover, but pets are a good source of happiness. Looking after a pet can give you an outlet, a focus for your energy. Even pets that aren’t traditional and fluffy can offer great companionship. If you struggle with social isolation, you will find solace in the attention a pet will give you.
7. Learn to Love Yourself
We all have certain aspects of our person that we struggle to accept, whether physical or mental. Sometimes, we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed as we try to live up to the pressure of other people’s expectations, to match a standard that is considered ‘normal’. This can be detrimental to our mental health, making it difficult to take pride in ourselves. You need to look at yourself and be at ease with the person who you are—the best judge of you is you.
8. Find Something Positive In Every Day
If we have a particularly stressful day, it’s easy to let it discourage us, thus overshadowing all of the good things that have happened over the day. Life is full of positives. They don’t have to be big to fulfill us. Keep a gratitude diary. Write down at least one thing daily that positively impacted you. It could be a funny conversation you had, a good deed you carried out, or even a film you saw on TV.
Following these tips will help you see life in a much brighter light, and the positives will become a lot more visible and give you something more fulfilling to focus on.