What will make me happy? This is a question that I have asked myself many times throughout my life. And it’s one that I’m sure you have asked yourself as well. We all want to be happy, but sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what will actually make us happy.
There are a lot of things that can contribute to our happiness. Our relationships, our careers, our hobbies, our health, and more. It’s important to find balance in all areas of our lives if we want to be truly happy.
For me, personally, I know that spending time with my family and friends makes me happy. I also love traveling and exploring new places. Doing things that are creative and challenging help me feel good about myself too. And lastly, making a difference in the world – whether it’s through volunteering or simply being kind – brings me a lot of happiness as well.
What about you? What are the things that make you happy? Think about it and try incorporating more of those things into your life. You deserve to be happy!
Smile more
It has been scientifically proven that smiling can make you happy. When you smile, your brain releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers and also boost your mood. So next time you’re feeling down, try smiling and see if it makes a difference!
In addition to making you feel better, smiling is also contagious. When you smile at someone, they often can’t help but smile back. So by smiling more, you could be making the world around you a happier place!
So why not start smiling more today? It’s free, easy to do, and who knows – it might just make your day (and someone else’s) a little brighter.
Exercise for seven minutes
Exercise has been shown to be beneficial for overall health, but did you know that just seven minutes of exercise can make you happy? That’s right, a new study has found that just seven minutes of moderate-intensity exercise can improve your mood and mental state.
So how does this work? Well, it all has to do with the release of endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body that act as natural painkillers and also have mood-boosting effects. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which can help to improve your mood and make you feel happier.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to go out and run a marathon to get the benefits of exercise. The new study found that just seven minutes of moderate-intensity exercise was enough to produce these mood-boosting effects. So if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to boost your mood, try getting some exercise!
Sleep more
Getting enough sleep is crucial for our physical and mental health, yet many of us don’t get enough. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three American adults don’t get the recommended seven or more hours of sleep per night.
There are many reasons why we might not be getting enough sleep. Maybe we have young children and are up several times a night with them. Or maybe we work long hours and come home too tired to wind down before bed. Whatever the reason, not getting enough sleep can have some serious consequences.
Physical health problems associated with lack of sleep include an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. Lack of sleep can also lead to accidents and injuries because it impairs our ability to focus and react quickly. And if that’s not enough, research has also shown that lack of sleep can make us age faster!
Mentally, lack of sleep can take a toll on our mood, memory, and concentration. We may find ourselves feeling irritable or anxious, struggling to remember things or concentrate on tasks at hand. In extreme cases, chronic insomnia can lead to depression or even psychosis.
Spend more time with friends and family
If you’re like most people, you probably want to be happy. But what does that mean, exactly? And how can you achieve it?
There’s no single answer to those questions, but one thing is clear: Spending time with friends and family is a key ingredient in the recipe for happiness.
Think about it: When you’re with the people you care about, you’re more likely to laugh and enjoy yourself. You may even feel a sense of belonging and connectedness that boosts your overall well-being.
Of course, making time for loved ones isn’t always easy. We all have busy lives and competing demands on our time. But if we want to be happy, it’s important to prioritize relationships. Here are a few ways to do that:
Set aside regular time for the people who matter most to you. Whether it’s weekly dinners with your family or monthly game nights with friends, make sure you have quality time scheduled on your calendar. This will help ensure that your relationships stay strong even when life gets hectic.
Go outside more often
There’s no denying that spending time outdoors makes us feel good. We get a dose of vitamin D from the sun, we’re surrounded by green space and fresh air, and we can finally put our phones away for a while. All of these things have been proven to boost our moods, reduce stress levels, and improve our overall health.
But if you’re like most people, you probably don’t spend nearly as much time outdoors as you should. In fact, the average American spends 93 percent of their time indoors!* Clearly, we could all stand to get out more often.
Here are five reasons why you should go outside more often:
1. You’ll Get More Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for good health, but unfortunately many of us are deficient in it. The best way to get your vitamin D fix is by spending time in the sun. Just 10-15 minutes a day is all you need to reap the benefits.
2. You’ll Reduce Your Stress Levels
Spending time in nature has been shown to decrease stress levels and promote relaxation. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, take a break and go for a walk outside. You’ll be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards!
Help other people
It has been scientifically proven that helping others makes us happier. Numerous studies have shown that people who help others experience less stress, more happiness, and even live longer. So if you’re looking for ways to boost your mood and feel good about yourself, consider lending a helping hand.
One of the best things about helping others is that it doesn’t take much effort. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone else’s life – and yours. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
• Smile at someone – A simple smile can brighten someone’s day and make them feel appreciated.
• Hold the door open for someone – Showing consideration for others is always a nice gesture.
• Bring a colleague coffee – A thoughtful act like this can really make someone’s day. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just a cup of coffee or tea will do the trick!
Plan a trip (even if you don’t ever take it)
There’s something about planning a trip that just makes us happy. It doesn’t matter if we ever take the trip or not, the act of planning it is enough to boost our mood and give us a sense of happiness.
For some of us, the happiness comes from actually booking the tickets and making all the arrangements. We love the feeling of being organized and prepared for a vacation. Even if we’re just fantasizing about a trip, the act of planning it gives us a sense of control and satisfaction.
Others get their happiness from daydreaming about potential destinations and activities. They love researching different places to go and things to do. The more they learn, the more they get excited about taking their dream vacation.
Whatever your reason for enjoying the process of planning a trip, there’s no doubt that it can be a fun and rewarding experience. So go ahead and start planning your next big adventure – even if you never end up taking it!
Meditate
Meditation has been shown to be an effective way to reduce stress and promote overall well-being. It is simple to learn and can be done anywhere, anytime. Just a few minutes of meditation each day can help you feel calmer, more focused, and less reactive to the stresses of daily life.
There are many different types of meditation, but all involve focusing your attention on something – whether it be your breath, a mantra or affirmation, or a certain object or image. The key is to focus your attention completely on the present moment, without judgment or analysis. This may take some practice at first, but with time and regular practice it will become easier and more natural.
When you find your mind wandering during meditation (which is common!), simply bring your attention back to whatever you were focusing on without be rating yourself. Over time you will develop greater mindfulness and concentration skills that will spill over into other areas of your life such as work, relationships, and decision-making. In addition to improving focus and concentration, meditation has also been shown to reduce anxiety levels, improve sleep quality, boost immunity, lower blood pressure, and increase overall happiness levels. So give it a try – Meditation could be just what you need to de-stress and improve your well-being!