You may think that happiness only comes with riches, but study after study shows that happiness has nothing to do with being rich. In fact, humans are so resilient they can find happiness even in the worst circumstances. Of course, this isn’t an excuse not to take care of each other and yourself, but it is a truth you can use to find your happiness by developing habits that other happy people share.
1-They feed their spirit – Take a little time each day to do something that makes you feel connected to the universe, such as meditation, reading, walking in nature, or serving others. However, you find a connection with the divine within you is something you should focus on each day. For some, that’s playing with their kitten. For others, that’s kissing on their loved ones, and even others find a connection to the spirit by spending time alone. You’ll know you’ve found it when you lose track of time, and your heart fills full of love and joy, and you are content.
2-They let go of the past – While you can learn from it and figure out how to avoid similar mistakes, dwelling on it will only make you miserable. Instead, examine it, learn from it, and then move on from it so you can focus on today instead of the past.
3-They make happiness a priority – You really can put your happiness before anything else and do it in a good way for you and everyone else. It’s not selfish to put yourself first when you also value yourself and others.
4-They reject distractions – One of the things that cause distress in people today is multitasking. The problem is that no one can multitask. Your brain will not do two things at once. Instead, it will switch from task to task, thus causing you to make mistakes or take longer. Even if the thing you’re doing is for fun, doing it alone will be more satisfying than dividing your attention.
5-They start each day with intention – Building the life of your dreams requires that you set SMART goals and that you work toward them a little bit each day. Start each day knowing exactly what you need to do to affect your life positively, not just today, but also tomorrow.
6-They focus on gratitude – No one’s life is wonderful all the time. However, during the good and the tough times, it always helps to focus on the positive things and take the time to express your gratitude somehow.
7-They take care of their needs – Understanding that you have needs that come before anyone else’s wants will change your life. For example, you have a right to take the time necessary to eat right, exercise, bathe, and so forth. Sometimes this will be challenging, but don’t feel guilty about it. This is your responsibility to maintain your health. If you aren’t at your best, you can’t care for yourself or others.
8-They build strong relationships – The people closest to you are the folks you spend the most time with. So, anyone you spend time with, whether at home or in your career, is vital to build a solid relationship with good communication and kindness.
9-They act with integrity – Your principles, morals, and values are fundamental for you to understand and know. That way, you can consider them as you make choices in your life. When your choices align with your stated values, you’ll feel great, and people will perceive you as a person with integrity.
Research on happiness shows that the connections you make with others fill most people with joy. However, how you spend your time focusing on your needs makes a big difference in how you view your life and whether you describe it as happy or not. Living a life you design, based on your rules, principles, morals, and values that fulfill your needs, is the way to happiness.
Photo by Helena Lopes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/friends-making-a-toast-for-their-friendship-4034052/
