Happiness is a curious thing. It can happen in the midst of great joy and in the depths of misery. It makes people feel good and dreadfully bad. But what is it, precisely? What does it mean to be happy? It may not seem like a serious question, but happiness is one of the most important things we humans can pursue! Some say our goal should be to live life so that we’re as happy as possible, and others say that happiness is an illusion that’s best avoided because of how fragile it is. Here are ways to be happy, no matter how you define it.
1. Be thankful for what you have and grateful that what you have is enough
We’re supposed to be grateful for many things in life, but one of the most important ones is being alive! We’re alive when we breathe, eat and drink, feel loved, and have good health. You may wonder if being alive doesn’t already count as a lot. Well, think about how many people in the world do not have enough to eat. How many people die in armed conflicts or natural disasters? How many people live very difficult lives compared to yours? And remember that you are blessed enough to have food, water, and a place where you sleep at night!
2. Do what makes you happy most often!
Even if what makes you happy seems trivial, do it! If you like to draw and your friends don’t care much for it, that’s not a reason to stop drawing! Be happy. If you like to sing, then sing. No one can tell you not to be with the things that make you happy! You may not have much time for fun and games, but take any chance you get to find something to make you happy without guilt or shame. And even if your happiness means being alone and far away from other people, then be happy!
3. Smile more often than you frown
One of the best ways to be happy is to make yourself happier. Smiling and laughing a lot makes you feel more positive and more joyful. So smile when you have nothing better to do!
4. Change your state of mind
When you’re always stressed out or sad, it’s really hard to be happy. You may feel a sense of well-being when you’re sad, and that is great, but when you always feel bad, it becomes a habit to feel bad all the time. That’s not healthy! The best way to be happier is to change your state of mind from negative to positive. This means mentally finding ways to make yourself happy instead of constantly thinking about how things could be better for you.
Conclusion
All these ways of being happier are also useful and helpful in times of stress and sadness. Try to do all these things, and you’ll soon discover that you’re happier than before. You’ll have good moods, enjoy life more, and even be a happier friend, family member, or coworker.
