5 Ways To Be Happier

Who doesn’t want to feel happy? What I love about joy is that it can exist in ANY circumstance. Think about the most happy people that you know. Their life isn’t perfect. They may even have more issues than you! No matter what, they can laugh, smile, or dance. That’s what I love about it: You can have any time you want it. In my office, I hear some very tough life circumstances, but even there, there is happiness. Because, I know that difficult circumstances won’t always be this way. Below are five ways you can grow and find more happiness in your life. And the first one-- you are going to hate: 

Be Grateful

I’ll hammer this home all day every day. Gratitude makes more happiness in your life. Even if you are just thankful for the smallest thing regularly, it will lead to joy. Be grateful for the sunshine, the rain, the green, the trees, a nice desk, a cute baby, a delicious bite, a friend, toilet paper. Get out of your head, look around, and be grateful. Think of every person that was involved in making your life what it is, and be thankful. Who built your house? Your car? Your phone? How did food on your table come to be? A person made it happen. Be grateful.

The research consistently shows that the more grateful you are, the more happy you are. But it takes work. Just taking time for three things you are grateful for everyday will decrease depression and increase happiness. Don’t knock it until you try it. It takes work to get your body in shape, and it is the same for your brain--practice practice practice! 

Watch this cute video on YouTube about gratitude for all the feels and motivation to show more gratitude. Just telling one person you love how grateful you are for them, will make your day better immediately. 

Be Mindful

It could be that showing gratitude is difficult because you are not being mindful. Mindfulness is simply noticing what is around you. Again, it’s getting out of your head. Getting away from the To Do list, the difficult email you just wrote, the upsetting news you just read, and noticing what’s around you. 

One of the ways I practice mindfulness is with my breath. Breathe in lovingkindness. Breathe out lovingkindness. Breathe in good health and wellness. Breathe out good health and wellness. Breathe in joy. Breathe out joy. Imagine your breath (even with a mask on) as a loving generosity to others--give out good vibes with your breath. Have a mantra and repeat it with your breath.

Breathe in, “I am full of love and kindness.” Breathe out, “I am free from fear.”

Make it for someone else. 

Breathe in, “May you be full of love and kindness.” 

Breathe out, “May you be free from fear.” 

Breathe in, “May you be safe.” 

Breathe out, “May you be healthy.” 

And repeat. 

Another way to practice is to get a good phone app for mindfulness and meditation. A few good apps are 

• Headspace (mainly mindfulness)

• Calm (all kinds of meditation and mindfulness)

• Hallow (all kinds of religious and non-religious prayer and mindfulness meditation)

These regular practices help create more happiness for you and the world around you.

Watch Some Cute Animals or Babies (or both together!) on Social Media

I know. It sounds weird. But you do it sometimes anyway. You are staring at your phone so you might as well use it to juice up the happy. There are so many places to see cute things online on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. Wherever works for you. Find a cute thread, and bring it to bring a jolt of happiness. 

Hang Out or Zoom With Friends (Or Strangers)

Just as having a community helps build resiliency (You can read more about resiliency here), it can also help you find happiness. Despite what your Myers-Briggs tells you about being an introvert, humans are social beings, and we find our joy in belonging. 

If you find yourself in a community or family where you don’t feel belonging or joy, then consider reaching out for holistic therapy at Open Heart Holistic Therapy. We’re here to help you get that passion, purpose and belonging so you can have more joy! Schedule a free consult today. 

Whether you enjoy church, bad mitten club, or Dungeons & Dragons, doing what you enjoy, with people that you enjoy, builds JOY! 

About strangers: Maybe you are not feeling like socializing directly. If that’s the case, just get outside, or go to a restaurant, or the beach, find a place to sit, and watch people. Watching others, being mindful, and being grateful for what is around can also boost your happy for the day. 

Dance. Dance. DANCE!

I’m not kidding. Get up right now, put on a song you can move to, and get jiggy. Move your body around uninhibited. I promise--you will be happier you did it. 

Dancing gets you out of your head and into your body. What feels good? What’s funky? What’s hilarious? What matches the beat? What doesn’t match the beat? Why don’t I do this more? 

Every week, my family has a scheduled dance party. This is joy. This is happiness.

Dance your heart out. You may not feel it in your head, but your body will feel it for sure. And that will be good happy practice until your brain catches up.

I hope you found these tips and tricks helpful. As always, if you are struggling to find happiness in your life, there is hope! Reach out and get help. We’re here for you. 

Here are some forgiveness statements and affirmations to help:

• I forgive myself for believing I can’t be happier.

• I forgive myself for believing I’m unworthy of happiness.

• I forgive myself for believing happiness is overrated.

• I forgive myself for believing it’s not worth enjoying something if it will end.

• I forgive others for not being happy.

• I forgive others when they don’t like that I am happy.

• I give others permission to forgive me when I blame them for my unhappiness.

• I give others permission to forgive me when I don’t care that they are happy or unhappy.

• I love and accept myself even when I’m afraid I won’t be able to feel happiness.

• I love and accept myself even when I’m afraid the happiness will be taken away from me.

• I give myself permission to accept it is safe to feel happy.

• I give myself permission to accept I can feel happy.

• I give myself permission to accept I am aloud to feel happy.

• I give myself permission to feel happy even when other try to bring me down.

• I give myself permission to DANCE!