Happiness–it's what we all strive to find and keep, even when it's as
elusive as ever. Nobody is jolly and elated all the time, but some
individuals are definitely more fulfilled than others. Studies reveal
that happiness has little to do with materialistic needs, goods, or
wants, or high achievement; it boils down to your outlook on life, the
quality of your relationships, and basic amenities like good governance
and community resources. Check Step 1 and beyond for more tips and
tricks on how to unlock the happier you.
1 Be optimistic.
In the 1970s, researchers followed people who'd won the lottery and
found that a year afterward, they were no happier than people who
didn't. This
hedonic adaptation[1]
suggests that we each have a baseline level of happiness. No matter
what happens, good or bad, the effect on our happiness is temporary, and
we tend to revert to our baseline level. Some people have a higher
baseline happiness level than others, and that is due in part to
genetics, but it's also largely influenced by
how you think.
- Add up all the little joyful things that happen to you during the
day. Write them down. For example, if there was no traffic on the road,
if you had a very decent and scrumptious breakfast, if your friend said
something uproariously humorous that made you laugh, if you took your
dog out for a walk in the park and played with it, add these together.
Your outlook will change.
- Feel deeply grateful for the things you have. This is a very
effective way to be happy. If you feel grateful for the things you have,
you not only become more happy but it also helps you to bring more into
your life.
- View the glass as half-full instead of half-empty. Your girlfriend/
boyfriend broke up with you? Now you have the chance to meet someone
else! You lost your job? Now you can seize the opportunity to find a
better one! Adjust your mentality so that, in everything that happens to
you, there's some kernel of good.
- Put yourself in situations where fabulous, fortunate things are
likely to happen to you. It's easier to remain optimistic if you set
yourself up for success. Cheating on a partner, or stealing someone's
bicycle — while temporarily thrilling — rarely end well for any party
involved. Ask yourself before you act: Am I setting myself up for success or for failure?
- Think of your current situation (however hard it may be) and then
think of how much harder some other people have it. Just be happy that
you are not in that worse situation. Learn to enjoy your life!
2Follow your gut.
In one study, two groups of people were asked to pick a poster to take
home. One group was asked to analyze their decision, weighing pros and
cons, and the other group was told to listen to their gut. Two weeks
later, the group that followed their gut was happier with their posters
than the group that analyzed their decisions.
[2]
Now, some of our decisions are more crucial than picking out posters,
but by the time you're poring over your choice, the options you're
weighing are probably very similar, and the difference will only
temporarily affect your happiness.
- Next time you have a decision to make, and you're down to two or
three options, just pick the one that feels right, and go with it. Never
regret the decisions you make, though. Just live by the 3 C's of life:
choices, chances, and changes. You need to make a choice to take a
chance, or your life will never change.
3
Own yourself. This means
accept and embrace your habits, your personality, mistakes, the way you
talk, looks, your voice, and most importantly 'You'. Try to be
comfortable in your own skin and subconsciously communicate to others
that, 'This is me take it or leave it'. It means don't apologize to
anyone for something which is a part of you, like your personality, your
voice, habits (good or bad), basically anything; remember there is
always someone who likes you for the way you are. For example if you
want to wear something which is weird but you find it cool, wear it, no
one is stopping you. Its a deeper step towards building a good
relationship with yourself.
