Regardless of how old are you, living a happy life is the innate ability of every living being on this planet. Few changes in the habits can help you live a life of your dreams, full of happiness, hope and a zeal to live every moment. Just know one thing- Happiness has to do nothing with how rich are you? How old are you? Whether you have a big home ? Or you drive a small car….
It is an inside job of every living being.
This is really possible !!
Know the fact that “habits & lifestyle really matter”. To break a past bad habit is many a times difficult but not impossible. You just need to have a mindset of change, because deep inside you you really know how desperate is your soul in the search of peace and happiness. As some bad chores can bring an unfamiliar stress in life, good habits bring the zeal to live life with a purpose.
What changes shall I do to live a happy life ?
If some of these habits create added stress or just don’t fit your lifestyle, ditch them. With a little time and practice, you’ll figure out what does and doesn’t work for you.
1. Smile Often
Smile & Happiness are inter-related
People only smile when they experience a happy moment. But in real sense it is actually an inside job. Outer world experiences have to do nothing with this beautiful curve on your face. Keep a soft smile on your face for consecutive 21 days and you will see the transformation in your life. when we smile dopamine is released that recharges every small functional unit of our body. Isn’t is the best simplest way to bring a great change?
Researches have found that there is a direct link between SMILE and HAPPINESS. This is related to “facial feedback hypothesis,” where our face gestures have a greatest influence on our emotional experiences.
Be careful!!!! This not at all means that you have to wear a fake smile all the time. Now next time even when you find yourself sad, stressed, anxious or low, simply smile and see what happens next. You will be totally amazed that how drastically things changed and you didn’t have to struggle moving out of the situation.
2. Proper Sleep
7-8 Hours of sleep is very important
All of us need at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night. There are times when you urge for a nap during day. Listen to your body because every time it is telling you something. No matter how tiring your day is, always make sure that you sleep properly and on time.
Following are few tips for a better sleeping routine:
1. Note your sleep hours every night. After few days you will have a written routine for your sleeping pattern.
2. Go to bed and wake up everyday at the same time.
3. Before sleeping, take shower or have a relaxing herbal tea.
4. Turn off all the electronic devices 1 hour before sleeping. If not 1 hour, It must be 30 mins minimum.
5. Keep the room dark.
6. Day time naps can be 20 to 30 mins.
3. Start Being Thankful(Gratitude)
Be grateful for small things, Big ones will automatically flow in.
Being thankful for small things, events, gifts etc. can really give a strong boost to leading a happy life. You can kick-start each day by simply being grateful that you are alive. Start writing the things you’re grateful for. You can do this while sipping your favourite tea/coffee or in the time you are waiting for the morning alarm get snoozed. As your day passes, try acknowledging all the pleasant things that happened during the day.
These small acts can really bring big things, Manifestations are possible and sky
4. Eat Mindfully
Food choices have the greatest impact on life
Always eat mindfully. Many people often eat more when they are stressed. Emotional eating often breaks the disciplined routine that a person follows. We eat a lot when we are stressed. This adds many bad things in our body in the form of obesity, indigestion or sometimes serious ailments.
- Carbohydrate rich foods have serotonin. This is called a feel good harmone.
- Meat Poultry & many dairy products are rich in calcium and protein. These foods release dopamine and norepinephrine which are helpful for an energetic body and mind.
- Omega 3 has anti-inflammatory properties.
5. Acknowledge every feeling
Be conscious about feeling you experience
Holding a positive mindset is not just seeking for happy things/moments alone. It also means to acknowledge every sad moment consciously. A positive attitude is a good thing, but don’t ignore the bad ones.
Both are the parts of life !!
Don’t get overstressed or sad listening to some bad news, a mistake committed, just deviate your mind to something that brings back the peace and happiness back to you. This does not mean to pretend to be happy, but this is an art to consciously face every situation. HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB, always remember. The shift of the focus to something better can help you re-align the process you are following.
6. Don’t make comparisons
Don’t compare yourself with others
There are ample situations where you start comparing yourself with others or others compare you with somebody. Be it losing kilos in a month, at workplace, in a presentation , it’s very easy to make comparisons. When you do so, you are unconsciously feeding your mind the feelings of inferiority, low confidence and a degraded self-esteem.
How can you expect others to appreciate you when you don’t appreciate yourself ?
Appreciation yourself the way you are is called self love. But this should not be related to being resistant to change. You must be dynamic but hating yourself will do more harm than good. Treat yourself the way you expect others to treat you. Pamper, Acknowledge and Appreciate your body. You will see how magically it loves you back. Never ever compare yourself with others in any way.
7. Celebrate Small Wins
Small wins can end up into BIG ONES
Life is a roller coaster. It has ups and downs. There are numerous wins that we don’t even recognize. These are left unnoticed. Take out time to celebrate end embrace those moments.
Did you complete all the tasks of your to-do list ? YES!!! It’s a reason to celebrate
Did you reach office/school/university on time? YES!!! It’s the reason for one more celebration
Monthly targets successfully completed? YES!!! It’s one more reason to celebrate
Take out time in these little achievements. They really add up!
8. Find Your IKIGAI
Know your life’s purpose
Try to defining your life’s true meaning. This can be in context with your enthusiasm, your talents, it can also be your passion or what extra can you give to the outer world.
– Know what you truly love?
-Know what you are good at?
-What is the need of the world?
– Know your final goal.
If you combine two things:-
1. What you love ?
2. What you are good at?
This combination can help you find your Ikigai. This is the success in academics, profession or personal lives. It may take very less time or years and months to recognize it, but once done you will get a purpose to get up everyday and look life like a staircase. Knowing the life’s purpose is like knowing why you are born? What’s your destination. This way you will not only add something to your life as well as to the world.