15 ways to promote happiness
This lens is aimed at promoting happiness in the lives of all of us. I hope to give you tips, ideas and relevant information that you can take with you and use in your own life. Hopefully you will find something that works for you and meets your particular needs.
I want to share what I have learned in life as well as through my work as a counsellor and all the reading and accumulation of ideas I have acquired over the years from Positive Psychology. One thing I have discovered though is that simply reading about happiness gives me a lift - so I hope it will lift you also.
I want to share what I have learned in life as well as through my work as a counsellor and all the reading and accumulation of ideas I have acquired over the years from Positive Psychology. One thing I have discovered though is that simply reading about happiness gives me a lift - so I hope it will lift you also.
Contents
- 1 Carry out volunteer work
- 2 Switch off the television and do something more interesting
- 3 Think of the small things in your life that make you happy - then do them as often as possible
- 4 Learn something new
- 5 Find your passion
- 6 Spend time with friends
- 7 Learn to be optimistic
- 8 Manage the stress in your life
- 9 Laugh, laugh, laugh
- 10 Remind yourself that you are personally responsible for your own happiness
- 11 Look in the mirror and adore what you see
- 12 Exercise
- 13 Sleep
- 14 Write about happiness
- 15 Read about happiness
- Lenses you may enjoy
- Share your happiness ponderings
1 Carry out volunteer work
Try giving some of your time to a worthy cause. It can be as often as you like; however, the more time you spend volunteering, the happier you will be. Get involved with something that interests you. It as an opportunity to have new experiences, meet new people and learn new skills. The great thing about volunteering is it benefits you as well as others.
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2 Switch off the television and do something more interesting
You don't get much satisfaction from watching television. Although it may be a good way to unwind after a hard day, it will do little to actually increase your happiness. Watching TV is a passive activity that is not engaging. To be happy, get involved with something that absorbs all of your energies. You will feel far more satisfied afterwards and know you have accomplished something. Also watching TV before bedtime can prevent a good night's sleep. It's more of a struggle to be happy if you've not slept so well the night before. 3 Think of the small things in your life that make you happy - then do them as often as possible
Write a list of the everyday things that cheer you up. Then make a conscious effort to fit them into your daily routine. Don't allocate your once a year vacation as your time to be happy. Building up an event such as a vacation can result in disappointment as it wasn't the all-out relaxing experience you had vividly imagined months before. Make time for yourself every day. My 'things to do that make me happy' list
Make sure you have a convenient place to note your happy activities
4 Learn something new
What you learn is up to you. Whether you attend a class, read a book or website or get hands-on is up to you. Learning can help you prevent getting bored, renew your energies and exercise your brain cells. It will take you to new places as you develop your skills and perhaps even face your fears. If you want to be a wiser elder - you will want to keep learning. 5 Find your passion
If you can find your passion, then you know that you are making the most of your free time rather than letting the years pass by. Ask yourself what do you absolutely love and cannot wait to spend time doing. Ever done something that the time has raced by and you were so in the moment that everything else is forgotten? Well this is a flow experience and is a sure way to happiness and can easily be found when you work on your passion. If you are seeking your passion, then try something new. You could discover something that gives you a new found zest for life.
6 Spend time with friends
Friends are a great source of support. You can turn to them during difficult times as well as when you want to just relax and unwind. Having close friends is important to your wellbeing, can reduce stress and you may even live longer. Remember, you can choose your friends so make sure yours are ones that value and respect you. 7 Learn to be optimistic
Optimism is closely related to happiness. It is about not giving up when the going gets tough. Yet when the going is good, having optimism means you expect the good to continue. It is about having hope and always believing things will improve. Being an optimist puts you in a good position to deal with situations in your life and to handle life's difficulties generally.
Having happiness and optimism does not mean the end of the bad stuff. But it does put you in a good position for coping when that bad stuff comes along.
Having happiness and optimism does not mean the end of the bad stuff. But it does put you in a good position for coping when that bad stuff comes along.
8 Manage the stress in your life
Life is stressful; however stress can be managed and should not take over your life. Engage in activities that you know relax and unwind you. Don't wait for a special occasion; you should find time every day to de-stress. Just choose an activity that works for you. Are you managing your stress well?
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9 Laugh, laugh, laugh
Humour is a great way to relieve stress and to boost happiness. Laughter releases endorphins, which make us feel good about ourselves. Watch your favourite comedy, look for funny videos on YouTube or read entertaining books. You could even schedule a night out at a comedy club. Also, try laughing at yourself - life won't seem nearly as serious. Books to make you laugh
You can't go wrong with Calvin and Hobbes
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10 Remind yourself that you are personally responsible for your own happiness
Yes it's true. You can decide whether to be happy or not, moment by moment. Also, don't worry about genetics. Just because your dad's not the happiest chappie in the world does not mean you are doomed to a life of misery. If you want to, you can look on the bright side of life. It's also worth recognising the many decisions you have made so far in your life (some far bigger than others). Take responsibility for these and be proud of all the choices you have made.
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11 Look in the mirror and adore what you see
You really should feel good about your body. It will increase your confidence. Do not compare your body to anybody else. Just stand in front of a mirror and appreciate all of it. Think about how each body part functions and the benefits it brings you. You may struggle initially, noting just your flaws. If this is the case, note four positives that replace the one negative thought you have about that particular body part. Practice this daily and smile while you do it.
12 Exercise
Exercise really does make you feel good about yourself. There are physical and psychological benefits to exercise. It is one of the best and easiest ways to relieve stress. It may also prevent depression (and has shown to be highly beneficial to depression sufferers). You should make it part of your life, as to get the most benefit you need to do it regularly. There are many options out there, so think about what you enjoy, or might enjoy and go for it. Exercise at home
There are some great exercise programs out there, covering all types of exercise. Give them a go, get fit and have some fun.
13 Sleep
Without a good night's sleep it will make it hard for you to be at your very best. Late nights can add up and the next thing you know you are doing everything at half capacity. Your problem solving skills are impaired as is your memory and concentration levels. Lack of sleep has also been increased with obesity and type 2 diabetes. How can you be happy and getting the most out of your life, if you don't have the energy to do it? 14 Write about happiness
Get yourself a journal and start keeping track of the things that make you happy. Include all the activities you do on a daily basis that help improve your mood and wellbeing. You can also write down the things you would like to do that are likely to bring happiness and make a plan for these activities. It would also be good to note down each night the things you are grateful for. Research consistently shows this to be a great booster to a person's happiness levels.
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- Happy Mails have been designed to inject some happiness into your life, as you reflect on yourself and the world around you. They are a means of engaging your thoughts, feelings and actions, so you can develop an optimistic outlook on your life. Hopefully you will come to appreciate the value of now and get excited about the future.
15 Read about happiness
An easy way to work on your own happiness is to read books about happiness and wellbeing. They can inspire you into action, and make you feel hopeful and good about yourself. I have already recommended some books along the way. Here are a few more worth getting stuck into.
Happiness tips for your website or desktop
- Happiness gadget
- Enhancing happiness and wellbeing is the intention of these tips and suggestions. They are ideas you can implement into your own life to improve your day. All of these tips are based on sound psychological thinking and are particularly influenced by the principles, ideas and research of positive psychology.
Promoting Happiness
More tips and articles full of ideas to help you be happier.
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by JuliaBarnard
JuliaBarnard
I live in Adelaide, Australia. I am a qualified counsellor and run the wellbeing and happiness website http://makethechange.com.au.
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