10 Proven Ways to Be Happier With Yourself

10 Proven Ways to Be Happier With Yourself

Why would anyone choose to be unhappy?

Ponder that question for a moment, and act on it. Are you one of the two-thirds of Americans, for instance, who are unhappy overall?

With the stresses of the modern world to contend with, it can be pretty hard to find ways to be happier, but not impossible.

We’ve got 10 proven ways to become a happier, more content person for the future.

1. Find Time to Exercise

If you’re not very active, you might not realize this, but regular exercise can be a major contributor to how happy we feel. In fact, academics believe that even moderate exercise can leave us feeling great for up to 12 hours.

Exercise helps to release endorphins, the ‘happy’ chemicals that make us feel good in the brain. If you’re finding ways to be happy, introducing regular exercise into your daily or weekly routine could have a positive impact on your mood.

2. Sort Out Your Sleep

With the daily commute to contend with, waking up exhausted isn’t going to help anyone feel good during the day. Without the right amount of sleep or good quality sleep, you could find your mood being seriously diminished.

The more sleep you’re getting, the happier you feel, with 8 hours being the most recommended. Of course, our sleep patterns aren’t always down to choice, so if you’re struggling to get to sleep at night, these tips should help.

3. Get Outdoors

We get a lot from the sun, not least a healthy dose of Vitamin C, and given that a lack of vitamin C can contribute towards depression, there are serious health benefits to making sure you get yourself outdoors.

There isn’t just the sun to think about, either. A blast of fresh air and a long walk can also be another great way to gain exercise, giving you the same endorphin benefits as a jog on the treadmill.

4. Detox from Technology

In the modern world, technology – like our TVs, smartphones, and computers – is hard to ignore, but there’s growing evidence it could be detrimental to your mental health.

If you find that you’re addicted to technology, a detox could help you get your happiness (and your health) back on track. Start by cutting out your tablet or phone use at bedtime to help your natural sleeping pattern.

Once you’re ready, go cold turkey and limit your technology use as much as possible for a week or longer.

5. Make Time to See Friends and Family

Busy lives can make finding the time for social activities pretty difficult, but if you’re neglecting your relationships with your friends, family or loved ones, it could make you feel isolated and unhappy. It’s time to change that!

As the old adage goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Call your friends, meet up for a coffee or two, or go on a weekend adventure away. It’s important to spend time with our loved ones, even if you’re struggling with social anxiety.

6. Volunteer and Give Back to Others

One of the most satisfying things we can do is give back to others, especially giving up our free time to help a good cause. If you’re trying to figure out how to be happy, working to better the lives of others could make you appreciate your own life.

Volunteering even a few hours a week could contribute significantly to your own happiness, and help others in the process. If you’re looking for volunteering opportunities take a look at some ideas here.

7. Use Meditation to Clear Your Mind of Stress

Stress can be one of the biggest causes of unhappiness in our lives, so finding the right strategies to deal with it is important to help us become happy with life. One good strategy to combat stress is to find time every day for meditation.

By giving yourself 20 minutes every day to clear your mind, to focus on positivity and care for others, you can reset your emotion base level. Studies have shown that within just 21 days of regular meditation like this, you can make permanent changes to your brain chemistry and begin to feel happier more often.

8. Let Go of Materialistic Urges

Our capitalist societies are driven by the pursuit of wealth and the acquisition of things that we give value to, but this can add to the stress we feel.

If you find that you’re constantly trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ and rely on materialistic purchases to make you feel better, your happiness, in the long run, will be fleeting.

By letting go of these materialistic urges, you can spend your money more wisely. Focus on using it for personal growth, new experiences and through helping others, and you’ll be happier for it.

9. Find Your Purpose In Life

What aims do you have in your life? Are you focused on your career, having a family, bettering yourself? Or are you aimless, going from one decision to the next without understanding what you want?

If you find yourself agreeing to the latter, then finding your purpose in life could have an incredible impact, not only on your happiness but on your self-worth and self-esteem and on the relationships you have with others.

Whether you want to be a professional cake baker or the next President of the United States, find your purpose, and make life decisions to make those goals a reality. Don’t be afraid of failure, either – it’s just another pothole in the road.

10. Focus on the Positives

It can be hard to find the positives in life, especially if you feel you’re always getting the rough end of the stick, but by focusing on them, you can begin to enjoy them more.

Think about all the good things in your life. Take time to appreciate the happy times, and work to make more of them.

Focusing more on these happier memories and experiences will help you in your darker moments, giving you the encouragement to move forward, even when it’s hard to see why.

Act on These Ways to Be Happier for a Better You

Happiness can be hard fought and fleeting, but these ideas should help you remold your mindset to focus more on the positives, rather than the negatives in life.

A balanced lifestyle, rich in sleep, sunlight and exercise can do wonders for the body and help produce those vital endorphins in the brain to help you feel happy.

Mixed with meditation, the power of positive thoughts and the power of friendship, you’ll build a happier, healthier lifestyle. Got your own ways to be happier to share? Drop a comment below.