In a 2017 survey, only 33% of Americans reported that they were happy. It has been said that happy people don’t HAVE the best of everything, they simply MAKE the best of everything. Can it really be that easy?
Why is happiness so important to our well-being and overall health? The physical effects of unhappiness are similar to the negative effects of stress:
- Weakened immune system
- Weight fluctuations
- Risk of heart attack or stroke
- Fatigue/Insomnia
- Trouble with memory/decision making
Aristotle said that “Happiness depends on ourselves.”
We all have the power to make small changes in our behavior that can have a big impact on our happiness levels.
So, what you can do to be happier:
Acts of Kindness: Taking the time to think of others is shown to change your perspective, and has been linked to a raise in self-esteem, and can help you build new social networks.
Exercise: Find an activity you enjoy and get to it. Walking, biking, skateboarding… find your new hobby.
Find the silver lining in everything: Optimism is a learned art form. Practicing finding the joy in the little things, and start focusing on the good – even in tough situations.
Redirect negative thinking: Don’t deny your negative feelings. Acknowledge them, and work to find a purpose behind them, and a way forward to fix or get out of the situation.
Practicing mindfulness: Taking time every day to focus on the things you are grateful for can help shift your focus to happier things.
Encourage strong friendships: Developing new friends, and fostering old relationships into new deeper bonds can help you connect deeper with those around you.
Turn the screen off: Social media has been shown to have a huge negative effect on people’s moods and self esteem, so focus on you for a change, and put the phone down for some peaceful moments every day. Meditate, go on a walk, or take a hot bath instead.
For the benefit of our health and wellness goals, let’s all make happiness a priority!
