The most common misconception is that in order to be happy, you have to attain something; this could be a goal, achievement or even a physical thing such as a car, house, and new clothes or even more money. This idea is what keeps people from having true happiness they really want because these things will only provide short term happiness before you begin to look for the next thing that you think will make you happier.
What Is It Then?
Happiness comes from within. By that I mean you don t have to go searching for things that will make you happier, you can be happy by making a decision to be happy. Learning how to be happy requires a change in mindset, a different way of thinking and a new way of looking at the world.
Benefits of Learning How To Be Happy
Research has found that being happy first leads to a more successful life and are more likely to seek new goals and adventures in life.
Other benefits include:
• Longer life span
• Less disease
• Better health
• Confidence
• Feeling energetic
How To Be Happy in 3 practical ways
ONE-Your Values
Find your values and put a plan of action in place to ensure you live by your top 5.
Answer these questions:
What gets you energized? What else is important to you in life? What makes you get excited?
Do your homework and apply these things into your life.
TWO-Exercise
Yes exercise produces the happy hormone serotonin & has been proven by a study done at Harvard Medical School, to be more effective than anti-depressant drugs! You can also reap even more benefits from the exercise alone as well as being happier.
These include reduced stress, better sleep & increasing your positivity.
THREE-Give gratitude
When you are grateful, you begin to look at things and become satisfied for the things you already have no longer wanting more. This creates happiness because you no longer desire something to make you happier but you feel content with what you already have. This will bring more goodness into your life. More things you can be grateful for leaving you happy.
Make a list of 5 things you are grateful for each day. Do this mentally or by writing and try and develop the true feeling of gratitude. This is a powerful exercise to practice every day.
Final Words
Happiness really is an art & science once understood it will become part of you and change your life by making it more meaningful, putting into perspective the things that really matter. Learning how to be happy can be practiced immediately because it is not a result of having something happen that you can be happy for or by obtaining a new shiny object, it comes from within. So by following these 3 practical ways you can be happy starting today.