Happiness is definitely something we take for granted until we're not feeling so happy anymore.
Unfortunately, happiness isn’t something that just happens to you. You need to make an effort every day.
But the good news is that we all have the power to make small changes in our behaviour, our surroundings, and our relationships that can help set us up for a happier life.
Here are 10 simple everyday tips to be happy.
10 simple everyday tips to be happy
- Eat good food: Most of us are well aware that our food choices have an impact on our overall physical health. But some foods also affect our mood. Carbohydrates release serotonin, a “feel good” hormone, but try to avoid too many simple carbs - foods high in sugar and starch - because that energy surge is short and you’ll crash. Choosing complex carbs, like vegetables, beans, and whole grains, can help you avoid a crash while still providing serotonin. Protein-rich foods, such as lean meat, poultry, legumes, and dairy, release dopamine and norepinephrine, which boost energy and concentration. Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fatty fish, have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects that extend to your overall brain health. On the flip side, highly processed and deep-fried foods will leave you feeling down, and so will skipping meals.
- Smile more: Yes, we smile when we’re happy, but smiling also causes the brain to release dopamine, which makes us happier. We're not telling you to walk around every day with a fake smile plastered across your face, but cracking a little smile when you're feeling down can boost your mood.
- Exercise: Like with good food, we all know the benefits of exercise for our body. But regular exercise can also help reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, while boosting self-esteem and happiness. And don't get stressed wondering how you can fit in a gym workout to your daily routine. Even a small amount of daily physical activity can make a difference. Maybe take a walk around your block every morning, or dance in your living room, or even just stretch your body for 5 or 10 minutes every day.
- Practice gratitude: Simply being grateful can really boost your mood and increase feelings of hope and happiness. Start small by thinking of one thing you're grateful for every day. And you don't even need to write it down. Getting into a routine of gratitude will mean you'll naturally start to focus more on the positive, and your happiness levels will shoot up!
- Spend time with people you love: This really is a no brainer. Spending time with people who make you happy not only reduces stress and improves your mental wellbeing, but it can actually prolong your life!
- Focus on getting a good night's sleep: Sleep is as essential to our bodies as eating, drinking and breathing, and is vital for maintaining good mental and physical health. Sleeping helps to repair and restore our brains, not just our bodies, as our body naturally reduces cortisol levels, as well as other stress-related hormones like adrenaline, while we sleep.
- Do something for you each day: It's important not to overthink this one. Doing something for you could be something as small as a bubble bath, a nice cup of herbal tea before everyone else wakes up, or a few pages of your favourite book. This regular self-love really helps to fill your emotional cup.
- Get into nature: Spending time outdoors reduces anger, fear, and stress, and increases happiness. Exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
- Be kind: It's great when people are kind to us, but it's even better when you're kind to someone else. Research shows that performing acts of kindness may help boost your overall wellbeing. Try giving a colleague or friend a random compliment, or if you know someone is struggling, reach out to offer support.
- Don't compare yourself to others: Comparison is the thief of joy, as they say. And it's easy to see why. Constantly measuring yourself against others will make you feel unhappy and anxious, and even damage your self-esteem. We are all different and everyone's life can seem perfect to those looking in from the outside. Just focus on you, remember to practice gratitude, and ignore what others are doing.