According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, happiness is defined as "a state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable and satisfying experience." We all have experienced happiness in some form or another. But life is a roller coaster and not all times are happy times. So when we're not happy, how do we get this happiness back? Studies show that 40% of our happiness is within our control. Here are 8 ways to intentionally choose happiness:
1. Speak Daily Affirmation
One way to achieve happiness is by starting your day with the right mindset. One way to get in the right mindset is through daily affirmations, which are simple messages of truth and love that can change the outlook of your entire day. Some examples include "I am self-reliant, creative and persistent in whatever I do" or "I choose to be proud of myself." A recent study shows that optimistic people have healthier hearts, and affirmations are just one way to stay positive.
2. Treat Others Well.
Most times when we think about happiness, we're thinking about ourselves and how we feel. But we can actually experience happiness through others as well. Treating others well gives you a sense of peace and renewal, but not only that. Treating others well will actually physically make you feel great. It has been proven that when people treat someone kindly or perform a good deed for someone, the "feelings of reward" portion of the brain is triggered and releases feel-good chemicals.
3. Be Grateful
No matter how bad we have it, someone always has it worse. Just the fact that we're alive and breathing is a blessing in itself. Instead of focusing on what is going wrong in our lives, maybe it would be better to focus on what we do have- our family, our friends, a job, etc. When we sit down and truly reflect on the blessings in our lives, we learn that we truly have plenty to be grateful for!
4. Focus on Your Strengths
If you linger on the things we don't like about ourselves, you are constantly in a negative mindset. Don't be your own enemy! Everyone has natural talents and abilities that one can use in this world. More happiness will come from focusing on these strengths to make a difference in the world instead of constantly being hard on yourself for your weaker characteristics.
5. Don't Associate Your Happiness with External Things
The only thing constant in the world is change. If you base your happiness on the outside world, chances are it won't last. True happiness must come from within, from things that won't change.
6. Smile
It is proven that smiling actually reduces stress. The more we smile, the happier we start to feel! Smiles are contagious, and it connects us to others. Even if you're down, try to manage some sort of smile to lift your mood. Besides, a smile looks good on you anyway!
7. Let Go.
Some of the hardest things in our life are caused by our tendency to hold on to things that no longer benefit us in the long run. Some things are worth fighting for, but there comes a time when you have to decide if it's worth the fight anymore. Sometimes, things can't be fixed, and it's better to just free yourself from the burden that you're hanging on to. Deep down you know if you should still hold on or if you should let go. But if it's more painful to hold on, then I encourage you to let go because you'll experience so much more happiness and freedom if you do.
8. Be YOU.
At the end of the day, if you're not truly content with yourself and who you are, you will never be happy! You are beyond average and destined for greatness, but if you don't like who you are, you're only hurting yourself. There is no other person in this world exactly like you, so embrace who you are and remember to love yourself!
