12 Little Habits That Will Instantly Make You Happier

Happiness

Happiness can mean many different things to people, but in general, it is the state of being happy. Happiness is that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you can’t help but smile. Happiness is a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment. When people are successful, or safe, or lucky, they feel happiness. In practical terms, can we control our happiness? The answer is yes. Here are some ways you can increase your happiness on a daily basis.

Smile

You smile when you’re happy, but did you know smiling can make you happy? The act of smiling releases dopamine from the brain which is the hormone that makes you feel happy. Smile more often to get happier!

Exercise

Regular exercise helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting your self-esteem and happiness. It doesn’t have to be an all-day event. Try by adding a 15-minute walk to your daily routine.

Sleep

Sleep is an essential part of your all-around good health. Adults need between 8-9 hours of sleep per night. If you need a nap during the day, perhaps you can add more to your nightly hours. For the best sleep make sure your room is quiet, dark and cool. 

Eat for Health

Keep in mind that a good diet has a direct effect on your mood. Skipping meals, eating too many carbs, and eating highly processed and deep-fried foods can make you feel sluggish and have a negative effect on your mood. Try switching out bad foods for healthier foods and see the difference it can make. 

Gratitude

Being grateful is a great way to turn anyone’s mood around. Gratitude has been proven to have a significant impact on feelings of hope and happiness. Start your day by being thankful for what you have, the people in your life, the love, the home, and whatever else you count as a blessing.

Compliments

Studies have shown that acts of kindness help you feel more satisfied. When you see something you like, tell that person. You love his outfit, tell him! Kindness comes in many forms and giving compliments is an easy one to practice daily. 

Deep Breathing

You’re tense, your shoulders are tight, and you feel as though you just might “lose it.” We all know that feeling. Instinct may tell you to take a long, deep breath to calm yourself down. Turns out, that instinct is a good one. According to Harvard Health, deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress. The next time you feel stressed or at your wit’s end, work through these steps:

1. Close your eyes. Try to envision a happy memory or a beautiful place.
2. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose.
3. Slowly breathe out through your mouth or nose.
4. Repeat this process several times, until you start to feel yourself calm down.

Being Sad

There are times in everyone’s lives that are sad. When bad things happen, don’t pretend to be happy, you’re supposed to be sad. Acknowledge what has happened, feel the pain and sadness, work through it, then move on. You won’t be happy all the time.

Journaling

Keeping a journal is a great habit to get into. A journal can help you express what you’re feeling, organize your thoughts, and release what is bothering you. Keep a journal close by and use it during the day for whatever you want. Journaling can relieve stress and make you feel more in tune with yourself.

Stress

For those stressors you can’t avoid, remind yourself that everyone has stress, there’s no reason to think it’s all on you. And chances are, you’re stronger than you think you are. Instead of letting yourself get overwhelmed, try to tackle the stressor head-on. This might mean initiating an uncomfortable conversation or putting in some extra work, but the sooner you tackle it, the sooner the pit in your stomach will start to shrink.

Weekly Habits

Besides these simple habits, you can add to your daily routine, there are many other things that you can do weekly that will help you to have more feelings of happiness. Decluttering, seeing friends, setting your phone down for a while, spending time in nature, giving back to others, and taking care of yourself are all things that lead to a happier you. Add as many things to your life as you can to cause happiness. Without happiness, life can be an unpleasant experience!