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Recipe for Happiness: 20 Ways To Be Happy

    Recipe for happiness

    Years ago, I had an eye-opening realization.

    I realized that everything we do is to ultimately be happy.

    We may be pursuing a thousand different things.

    But at the end of the day, all we want is to be happy.

    Almost eight billion people on the planet, and everyone wants the same thing.

    I think that’s pretty amazing!

    But when you observe people, whether they are your loved ones or total strangers, you will notice that most people are not really happy.

    You will notice that many people are anything but happy. It seems as though they have lost sight of what they really want.

    This is a tragedy, given how easy it can be to experience happiness.

    For starters, you need to stop thinking of happiness as a destination.

    You need to think of it as a state that can be attained on demand.

    There are literally a hundred different things you can do to be happier in life. You just need to be aware of them and make them a part of your daily routine!

    Yes, it’s that simple.

    Below, we will look at 20 of these things so you can find your own happiness formula 🙂

    1) Practicing Gratitude

    flower to meditate on the present moment

    If happiness is a flower, gratitude is the soil.

    Don’t you agree?

    More often than not, we are so fixated on the future, and our dreams and desires that we forget what we already possess.

    We remain in a perpetual state of lack, not realizing how blessed we truly are. This becomes a reason for our lack of satisfaction and unhappiness.

    To counter this, you should practice gratitude.

    Every day, write about all the things you are grateful for in your diary. And while you’re writing each item, feel genuine gratitude in your heart.

    Also, remind yourself why you are grateful for that thing.

    When you do this practice, you realize that you are already a blessed human being. You will realize that you are living the life of someone’s dreams. And this will make you happier.

    2) Helping Other People Out

    person donating money for charity

    Sometimes, the best way to be happy is to make others happy.

    There is something inside you that becomes ecstatic when you bring a positive change in other people’s lives.

    So, every once in a while, try to donate something to charity. It could be cash or things you no longer need.

    There are many other ways you could help others out.

    You could lend an ear to your loved one, talk someone through their problems, provide a shoulder for someone to cry on, inspire others to do the right thing, and so on.

    The point is that by doing these things, you spread happiness to other people.

    And by doing that, you become happy too.

    life is short. smile while you still have teeth.

    3) Focusing On Your Strengths

    I don’t know whether this is a human tendency or not, but I see a lot of people focus more on their weaknesses, no matter how awesome their strengths might be.

    Maybe it’s just the way they perceive themselves.

    Or maybe, the people around them keep pointing out their flaws.

    Whatever it might be, these people are often not happy about themselves.

    What’s needed here is a shift of perspective.

    Every person is blessed with tons of capabilities.

    You just need to be aware of them and appreciate them.

    When you focus more on your strengths, naturally, you become much happier. You start to feel good about yourself and your life because you know you have the resources to get a happier life.

    4) Focusing On The Silver Lining

    It is no secret that positive people are happier.

    And it makes all the sense in the world, doesn’t it?

    When you are focused more on the good aspects of your life, you will obviously remain in a much better emotional state.

    It’s not that these people don’t have problems in their lives.

    It’s just that they choose to look at the silver lining.

    So, if you find yourself in a tough situation, try to look at the brighter side.

    It is said that every problem comes with an opportunity.

    Try to look for that opportunity. Or, at the least, you could walk away with a lesson that will help you grow into a better version of yourself.

    If you live life with this mantra, you will be much happier than you are right now.

    5) Exercising

    woman exercising

    Don’t get surprised.

    Exercising is a legitimate way to be happier.

    It’s not me who is saying this, but science!

    And who are we to question science, right?

    Exercising has been found to reduce stress levels and increase the feel-good hormones in our bodies. The result is that we feel much better after a workout session.

    So, it is only wise to include some form of exercise in your daily routine.

    It could be cycling, jogging, swimming, running, yoga, dancing, playing sports, etc.

    No matter what you do, just make sure your body is exerted a bit. This should do the trick.

    6) Building A Positive Circle of Friends

    The people you surround yourself with have a huge influence on you, whether you realize it or not. It is said that you are the average of the five people closest to you.

    If you happen to be around generally unhappy people, you will be unhappy as well.

    So, it’s a good idea to take note of your circle of friends and family.

    What are they like? Do they make you happy?

    The answer might be a yes, a no, or somewhat in the middle.

    No matter what it is, you need to ensure that you only have positive people in your life. That way, they could be your reason for happiness, and you could be theirs!

    happiness is chocolates and ice cream.

    7) Journaling

    The human mind is a complex thing.

    Sometimes, you just can’t make sense of what is going on inside your head!

    When there is so much activity going on inside that pink blob, it’s easy to get your emotions all mixed up. Even when there is no real reason for it.

    The best way to deal with this, and to become happier, as a result, is to journal your thoughts.

    It’s an ancient practice that involves jotting down whatever comes to your mind in a diary/journal.

    Usually, people like to do this just before they go to sleep. This helps them make sense of their complex thoughts, which makes them feel lighter and better.

    8) Eating Healthy Food

    fresh vegetables

    You might be wondering how food and happiness are connected.

    Well, they are.

    And no, I am not talking about the happiness that you get from eating your favorite food.

    I am talking about a deeper way that food affects your emotions.

    You see, your gut health is deeply linked with your mental health. Scientists have found that gut inflammation and other diseases of the gut can cause mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.

    Therefore, if you want to be happier, make sure you eat healthy food.

    First of all, it will keep the gut problems away. And so, your mental health will be in tip-top shape. Secondly, healthy food will make you stronger. This will, in turn, make you feel good about yourself. Again, the end result is happiness.

    9) Decluttering Your Life

    Think about it.

    The more luggage you have, the more strenuous your journey will be.

    Right?

    Similarly, in life, the more clutter you accumulate, the more exhausting your life will be.

    Clutter actually has a negative impact on your mental health. So, if you want to be happy, declutter your life as much as possible.

    There are various ways you can do so.

    You can get rid of things that you haven’t used for a long time. It would be great if you can donate them.

    Second, you need to organize your living and work areas. Everything needs to be in its place.

    Then, take things one step higher and remove negative people from your life.

    Yes, this, too, is a form of decluttering that will do wonders for your happiness.

    Happiness is simple when you keep it simple.

    10) Spending Time For Your Hobbies

    I think one of the most prominent reasons for people’s lack of contentedness is that they don’t spend time for their hobbies.

    When life becomes all work and no play, it is only obvious that happiness will be a fleeting thing.

    We are human beings, after all.

    Not robots!

    It is crucial that you include things you love in your daily routine.

    I am sure you must have at least a couple of hobbies. It could be painting, listening to music, playing chess, playing a sport, dancing, singing, etc.

    No matter what it is, make sure you spend at least an hour daily doing it.

    11) Celebrating Small (And Large) Wins

    In the pursuit of your dreams and goals, you might have your eyes fixated on the finish line.

    As such, no matter what you achieve in the present, it won’t matter much to you.

    After all, your end goal is the only thing your mind considers valuable.

    This way of living your life can be daunting after a while. This is because you might start wondering whether you’re making any progress or not.

    Obviously, this can lead to unhappiness.

    Therefore, it’s vital that you keep monitoring your progress and how many milestones you have crossed.

    This will not only give you an idea of your journey, but it will also give you opportunities to celebrate once in a while.

    As humans, we like celebrations and doing things of fun. So, whenever you achieve something (whether small or big), do something that makes you happy.

    12) Live In The Moment

    One of the main reasons why people are so unhappy these days is that they have forgotten how to live in the present moment.

    They are fixated either on their past experiences or future scenarios.

    This is a waste of time and robs people of their happiness.

    This is why it’s important to live in the moment.

    The present is the only thing that’s real. It is devoid of any anxiety, worry, or fear.

    If you keep your attention anchored to the present, you will be able to do your best work and live life to the fullest.

    This single change can fill your life with more happiness and joy than you had thought possible.

    13) Make Memories With Loved Ones

    If you make a list of all the things that make you happy, your loved ones will probably top this list.

    As humans, it’s really our connections with each other that truly make us happy and fulfilled.

    It’s the bond that we share with our loved ones that we cherish the most, isn’t it?

    So, naturally, you should focus on making as many memories as possible with your friends and family.

    Laugh with them, go on vacations with them, engage in hobbies with them, and do anything you want that will strengthen your bond with them. It is these memories that will stay with you till your last day on the planet.

    happiness is not the absence of problems. It is the ability to deal with them.

    14) Always Work Towards Your Life Purpose

    One of the most important things for any human on the planet is their life’s purpose.

    It’s the goal that they think they are meant to achieve.

    Without knowing what their purpose is, most people feel empty and directionless. They feel unhappy and devoid of any meaning.

    This negatively impacts all aspects of their life.

    So, the first thing you need to do is figure out your life’s purpose.

    This might take time as you might need to do a lot of brainstorming and soul-searching.

    But, once you get there, dedicate your whole life to that purpose. This will make you happy.

    Every day, you will look forward to waking up and doing the work you are meant to do.

    15) Change Your Scenery

    breathtaking landscapes with mountains

    It is a human tendency to get bored of your everyday environment.

    It could be your office or your home.

    The more time you spend at a particular location, the more bored you get overtime.

    So, if you have been feeling unhappy without any reason and feel emotionally suffocated, it could be that you need a change of scenery.

    You can accomplish this by going on a small trip or a vacation.

    This will recharge you mentally and emotionally.

    If a vacation isn’t possible, you could just visit the local park. That will allow you to spend time in nature and also change your scenery at the same time.

    16) Try New Things

    As we get bored with our everyday environment, we also tend to get bored with our everyday experiences.

    I am sure you can relate to this.

    Just imagine, waking up every day and doing the same things over and over again. Anybody would get bored to death!

    We, humans, crave new experiences.

    This is one of the fastest ways to make ourselves happy.

    So, every once in a while, do something you normally don’t.

    You could go bowling, climb a hill, play games at the arcade, go camping, binge-watch tv shows, or do anything your heart desires. This will also be the perfect opportunity to expand your comfort zone.

    the grass is always greener where you water it.

    17) Define Your Priorities

    There are literally a million different things you can do in life.

    But your time and energies are limited.

    So, instead of spreading yourself too thin and feeling overwhelmed by it, try to define your priorities and stick to them.

    For most people, family, career, finances, health, and self-care are top priorities in life.

    These are the things that contribute most to your happiness.

    So, you could design your daily routine in such a way that all these aspects get your focus and attention. This will help you avoid wasting precious time and energy on things that don’t make you happy…..

    18) Be Authentic

    In today’s world, everyone is trying to be and act like other people.

    For some reason, they feel like they have to abandon their true selves to function in this world.

    They don’t realize that this has become one of the most prominent reasons for their sadness and lack of fulfillment.

    True happiness and fulfillment come from knowing that you are true to yourself.

    When there is no pressure or inclination to act like someone else, and you can live life the way you want, you get this sense of freedom.

    And this makes you happier beyond measure.

    Happiness is a journey. Wear the right shoes.

    19) Get Plenty of Sleep

    Did you know that over half of the world’s population is sleep-deprived?

    No wonder people are grumpy all the time!

    Ok, not every one of them is grumpy, but you get the point.

    We all know how bad it feels when we don’t get a good night’s sleep. We feel a lack of motivation, exhaustion, and we would like nothing but to go back to bed.

    Sleep is an important biological function.

    It has a huge impact on your psychological state.

    If you get plenty of sleep every night, this alone can ensure, to a great extent, that you are happy and joyous. So, set up a sleep schedule and stick to it.

    20) Cut Back On Social Media Use

    people busy with their phone

    Social media has become a part of most people’s lives.

    It’s something that we all do and don’t even think about it.

    However, most don’t realize that social media can have a negative impact on our mental health. It leads to comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. It could also cause anxiety and depression.

    A great way of staying away from all this is by literally cutting back on social media use.

    Many people go on social media detox to feel better about themselves and to stay away from all the drama.

    If you use these platforms more than you should, it’s time to cut back and focus on what truly matters : you.

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