Many people strive for Being happy and content with themselves, but to be fair it is a challenge. We live in a fast-paced and stressful world. We can be easily caught up in negative thinking and feelings of inadequacy, it happens to everyone. However, there are several things we can do to cultivate a sense of happiness and contentment within yourself.
- Practice gratitude – daily (be thankful): For an effective way to increase your happiness, focus on the things you are thankful for, this will help change your mind set. In fact it will rewire your brain. To do this, take a few minutes Everyday to write down three to five things you are grateful for, it doesn’t matter how big they are or how small. It could be something as simple as a beautiful flower, having a loved one in your life, or just enjoying a cup of warm joe. Regularly reminding yourself of the good things in your life (they are there you just have to look), can shift your focus away from negative thoughts and emotions.
For example, Jason struggled with feelings of anxiety and depression for a long time. He often found that when he focused on the things he was grateful for, such as his supportive family and his job, he was able to feel more positive and hopeful about his future.
2. Take care of your physical and mental health: One of the most important things for happiness is a healthy body and mind. This is really where it all begins. To be physically and mentally healthy make it a priority to get enough sleep, eat a nutritious diet, and exercising regularly. Your mind and body will thank you for this. Always pay attention to your mental health and seek help if you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues. “It ain’t weak to speak” as they say. Getting help will make you stronger and could even save your life.
For example, Lucy realized that she was feeling burnt out and overwhelmed. So she decided to invest in herself and make self-care a priority, She took action, she went to bed earlier, started eating healthier, and went for daily walks in the afternoon. What were the results? she noticed a significant improvement in her mood and overall well-being! Life began to look up for her.
3. Set achievable goals – don’t set yourself up for failure: Having something to work towards can give your life purpose and a sense of accomplishment. Set small, achievable goals for yourself and celebrate your successes along the way, a win is win! Small, achievable goals can help you feel like you are making progress and can boost your confidence and self-esteem. Before you know it, you will have done some amazing things. As you meet each small goal, make the next one a little harder. The Chinese say “a journey of 1000 li begins with one step” – the underling message is the same with setting achievable goals.
For example, Chris had always wanted to learn how to play the guitar. He set a goal to practice for 30 minutes each day. Doing this he eventually became confident enough to perform in front of an audience – even though it was his family. The sense of accomplishment he felt from achieving his goal greatly contributed to his happiness and contentment.
4. Cultivate positive (healthy) relationships: Surrounding yourself with supportive and positive people can make a big difference in your happiness. Spend time with friends and loved ones who lift you up and make you feel good about yourself. Avoid toxic or draining relationships and try to focus on building strong and supportive connections. There can be no room for toxic people in your life.
For example, Jake had always felt like he didn’t quite fit in with his group of friends. He decided to make an effort to connect with people who shared his interests and values. As he formed new, positive relationships, he noticed a significant improvement in his sense of happiness and belonging. He also had more self respect.
5. Learn to accept and love yourself for who you are: A crucial component of happiness and contentment is Self-acceptance – if you don’t accept yourself who will? The truth is it can be difficult to love ourselves, especially when we are constantly bombarded with messages that we need to be perfect on social media or advertising. However, it’s important to remember that no one is perfect! And that it’s okay to have flaws – everyone has them. Focus on your strengths (you have them) and unique qualities and practice self-compassion and kindness towards yourself.
For example, after struggling with body image issues for years, Maria decided to start practicing self-acceptance, it was hard at first but she did it. She stopped comparing herself to others and focused on the things she liked about herself, such as her ability to be compassionate. As she learned to love and accept herself, she noticed a significant improvement in her self-esteem and overall happiness. Other even enjoyed spending time with her.
6. Find activities that bring you joy – do what you love: The very simple thing is, Engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment can help increase your happiness and contentment. This could be anything! Ranging reading a good book to going for a hike in nature, or meeting a friend for a drink.
Take the time, invest the time, in discovering what brings you joy and make it a priority in your life. You will be pleased that you did.
For example, Emma had always loved painting, but she had stopped making time for it in her busy schedule. She decided to start setting aside an hour each week to paint and was amazed at how much it improved her mood and sense of fulfillment. She even started selling her artwork and felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in her creations.
The truth is you can learn to be happy and content with yourself and your life by following these 6 steps. The thing to remember is happiness is a journey, not a destination – if you view it as a destination you will never get there and will never be happy. Don’t forget be patient and kind to yourself along the way, it’s important! Recognize too, that happiness and contentment are not constant states, and it’s normal to have ups and downs. You can’t always be happy, it is impossible.
However, by cultivating gratitude, taking care of your physical and mental health, setting achievable goals, cultivating positive relationships, practicing self-acceptance and self-love, and finding activities that bring you joy, you can increase your overall sense of happiness and contentment.
Lifereference 