How to become happier
How to be happier

Need to figure out how to become happier? Feeling constantly cheated and disappointed because it feels as if happiness will always just be out of your reach? Answering the question of how to be happier is actually easier to answer than you think and happiness can be achieved if only you look in the right places.

We tend to think that we need to achieve certain things in life (finding love, a job, marriage, children, the right house, etc.) but that is not the real path to happiness. Reaching the "big" goals in life will only bring short-term happiness that will taper out after a while.

That wonderful high from reaching a big goal is short-lived since we are very good at adapting to change. This ability to adjust is called the heading adaptation. The thrill and euphoria is great while it last, but that feeling will fade over time and things will go back to normal before you know it. Sad but true.

How to become happier then? When it comes to happiness it is all about quantity (amount) instead of quality (intensity). Happiness is about the frequency of emotion and not about the intensity of emotion. Simply put: Happiness is the result of the sum of little incidents of happiness spread over time instead of one big happy event.

Adding the little moment-to-moment pleasures together will lead to an overall sense of happiness. It is therefore necessary to savor our moments, taking pleasure in them instead of rushing through our day without stopping to drink in the smile of a child, the smell of coffee, or a heartfelt thank you.

Steps to increase happiness:

Some people are naturally happy and seemingly always cheerful but most of us can do with a little help. Try some of the following how to become happier tips to see if you can up your happiness quota:

Practise gratitude

Look back over the last week and make a short list of the things that made you smile and that you are thankful for. Focusing on the good things, however small, will remind you that the bad things don't rule you.

Stop comparing

Live you own life.
Set your goals with you in mind, not someone else or an idea of what should happen.
Be happy when someone reach their own successes but don't use their success as a yardstick for yourself.

You will never be happy if you are constantly feeling inadequate next to someone else's achievements.
You are unique, be the best "you" possible and be proud of that.

Fill your own shoes, you don't need to fill someone else's.

Control your thinking

If you find yourself dwelling on negative stuff:

Nip it in the bud: The moment you became aware of a negative thought, send it away, telling yourself you don't want it in your mindset.

Re-direct it: Give it to your Higher Power knowing that you don't have to deal with everything on your own.

Replace it: Pick a couple of positive thoughts to focus on and every time a negative thought enters your head, replace it with a positive.

Control it: Consciously choosing to control your thoughts will empower you. Knowing you can create and guide your inner life is the ultimate power.

Attach meaning to everything you do

This is a very simple principle but very powerful. If you do the dishes, hating it and feeling worthless and somehow degraded in the process, stop and change you thinking. Tell yourself that you are busy bettering the lives of others (and yours), contributing to the common good, beautifying your surroundings and bringing value to your family. You are doing the most important job possible: You are taking care of your family.

Every action you take adds to the greater good in some degree. Attach a positive value to everything you do. This will increase your intrinsic value and will greatly contribute to your well-being.

Treasure your relationships

Did you know that people with close friends live 22% longer that persons that are less social? Be there when a friend needs you, creating special memories together, learn that you are part of "us" and you will receive the pleasures and rewards of a close friendship for years to come.

Surround yourself with happy people

Happiness is contagious - be sure to catch it! Being surrounded with happy, cheerful people will give you an immediate lift and will even help lift the rest of your day. Stay away from gloomy, depressing people and gravitate towards laughter and happiness.

How to become happier can be very easy - just focus on and cherish the small stuff and the rest will fall into place. Life is made up of the sum of little moments. Make "how to become happier" a daily goal and it will change your life, from moment to moment.

Visit the pages below to learn more about positive living:

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