Ways to live a happier life

When I was much younger I believed that I could only be happy if the circumstances around me were good and as I wanted them. I tend to blame circumstances for feeling sad or angry, never considering that real happiness is created on the inside and cannot be found on the outside.

I was wondering how people living under chaotic or very difficult conditions and serious illnesses can still be happy. Then I read about the science of happiness and learned that happiness is something I need to work for to create the circumstances that support happiness. It is the same process as training to develop certain skills or athletic ability: Practice. Practice. Practice.

According to Brooks, a Harvard professor who has written extensively on the subject of happiness, the three building blocks of happiness are enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose.

Here are some ways which can help to live a better, happier life:

Spending time with family and friends

Family and friends contribute toward happiness both as a potential source of social support and for the pleasures of spending time together. However, not everyone in real life has that kind of support network.

According to a study about Comparing the Happiness Effects of Real and On-Line Friends, the internet can be seen as providing ways to enhance or replace face-to-face friends with safe on-line social networks.

Volunteer Work

Participating in volunteer work gives a sense of meaning and purpose, builds confidence and self-esteem, and creates a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. There are many ways to help others volunteering for community projects (for example teaching something you do well), at an animal shelter, helping in children centres, visiting elderly who are lonely, coaching at sports, and joining support online organisations.The opportunities are endless.

Keep a gratitude journal

Participants in a study about the effects of showing gratitude wrote letters expressing gratitude to others. About 4 weeks and 12 weeks after the conclusion of the study, participants in the gratitude group reported significantly better mental health than those in the expressive and control group.

But how about trying practising gratitude on your own?

• How does it feel to you when you write down things you really appreciated in your day that you really feel strongly grateful for?

• How does it feel to re-read what you felt grateful for on that day?

Having a spiritual anchor

Spiritual beliefs or a sense of meaning and purpose in life can be beneficial for a person’s health. That can increase optimism and resilience while decreasing the risk of depression, substance abuse or any other risky behaviours.

Practising meditation

Meditation can help to reduce stress, anxiety, promote emotional health and much more.

Exercise

New research is revealing how physical activity can reduce and even ward off depression, anxiety and other psychological ailments

Manage your expectations

Don’t be too hard on yourself or on others. Having healthy, achievable expectations can be motivating and relieve stress on us . If we set the bar too high it can lead to frustration, anger and more towards ourselves and others.

Have Fun and Laugh

Experiencing joy helps to boost our creativity, energy, productivity, and overall feelings and mental attitude.

Many people, particularly when suffering from social anxiety, spend much time worrying and forget to laugh and have fun.

• When was the last time you had fun or laughed out loud?

Enjoying nature

People who spend time in nature not often feel better emotionally, but it also contributes to their physical wellbeing, for example reducing blood pressure.

Have a healthy diet with low or no alcohol

Protein consumption (from foods like fish, beef, chicken, turkey, tofu, beans, eggs and unsweetened yoghourt) has been linked to higher levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are brain chemicals that play a role in your mood, motivation and concentration. Consuming large amounts of processed sugar and high carb diets can trigger feelings of worry, irritability, and sadness.

• What makes you happy? If not happy, what gives you the most joy?

You can read here about how to be happier: 13 ways to improve your mental health

If you might find it helpful to discuss your situation regularly with a 7cups online therapist, there is a paid option. More info here https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1

Kindly click here and fill out this short form to add or remove your names from the tag list and you will start getting announcements of any new threads and posts you are subscribed to in Therapy Subcom.

That way you can participate in all the latest developments of this community. Please allow 4-7 days for your request to be processed.

Taglist updated 6-17-22

@adventureawaits777 @adventorousBranch3786 @allnaturalWillow7138 @ambitiousGlobe3422 @amiablePeace77 BeamsOfHope00 @Beepyy @blissedNblessed @charmaeausty @dlynn88911221 Desmynn6789 @dysfunctionjunction1224 @enthusiasticTortoise6681 @exuberantStrawberries9544 @FaithMagic @FracturedPurple @fruityPond7887 @geribear @Ghasaq997 @GoldenNest2727 @helgafy @imaginativepear6493 @Jordan1872 @LisaMeighanMBPsS @meaningfulSilence @MoonMomm @nessa104 @PinkTriangle133 @politeGrapefruit179 @Scarletpear1945 @ShapeshiftSystem @SilverSeastar @soulsings @SpongeBob2021 @stephbrent @SugareeIsMe091121 @toughLand5970 @warmheart0890 @WentToBruv @waves