Being happy in life is hugely important. When we are happy, we are less stressed, which keeps us healthier. When we are happy, we are more productive which means we do better at work or at school. When we are happy, we can plan for the future with certainty and conviction, sure that we are going to achieve everything we want to achieve. When we are happy, we can more easily make other people happy, which is something we should all do more of.
It’s clear to see that being happy has many benefits, not least of which is that it just feels good, and therefore it is vital to be happier more of the time. Yet, this can be a difficult thing to achieve, especially when we are stressed or worried about something.
It is not impossible, though. Here are some healthy, achievable ways to be happier more of the time, and to get much more out of life as well.
Sleep Well
When we don’t sleep well or for long enough, we can feel truly miserable. It can be the case even if, on a normal day when we did get enough good sleep, we would have been happy. Lack of sleep means that everything feels irritating, and nothing seems to go right. This is bad enough, and of course, will make us feel unhappy, but lack of sleep has many other negative issues associated with it as well. Lack of sleep can contribute to anxiety and stress, and it can make us physically unwell too, especially since our bodies are unable to repair themselves which is what frequently happens when we sleep.
It can certainly be challenging to get enough sleep, but it is such an essential element in our health and happiness that it needs to be dealt with. Try going to bed at a prescribed time, no matter what, because having a set bedtime means our bodies get used to the idea of going to sleep at the same time each day and prepare for it. You can also try drinking chamomile tea or hot milk, or taking a bath full of lavender essential oils. If your insomnia continues, it is important to see a doctor about it.
Take Responsibility
It is always easier to hide away from issues and problems that we might be having than taking responsibility and facing up to them, and it might be that hiding or running away from the issues actually makes us feel better. However, if that is the case, it will only be for the very short term. Eventually, the problems that we are refusing to face will become much worse, and will then take much longer to put right. By facing up to problems and admitting that we need help such as rehab with Addiction Treatment Services or a doctor to help with a physical health issue, we – and everyone around us – will be a lot happier.
Slow Down
Life moves far too fast, and we are all at the mercy of that crazy pace. This can do its utmost to make us feel unhappy; we think that we aren’t getting enough done and that we must be failures because we can’t fit in all the tasks that need to be done in the few hours a day we have to do them. Or we might feel bad because work is taking precedence over family time or even alone time which you might need to relax more.
When you deliberately slow down, despite the pace of life that is going on around you, you will feel happier. It will feel strange at first, but try not to go against it. When you get used to it, you will realize it was the right thing to do all along.
Slowing down means you can enjoy the world and what it has to offer a lot more. You’ll notice the beautiful scenery around you, and you’ll spot people that you want to talk to (plus you’ll make the time to do that talking and make new friends!). You’ll also become a lot more patient, and this will, again, help to make you happier. Impatient people are never quite content because they are always hoping for the next thing, which you would no longer be doing. You can enjoy the present instead.
Less Sugar
Did you know that sugar, as tasty as it might be, can make us miserable? Sugar makes our metabolism struggle, causing us to be irritable and sluggish. Although there is an initial ‘high’ that takes place when we first consume the sugar, when that wears off, we feel worse than ever. Not only will you feel unwell if you consume too much sugar, but you’ll also look unwell too. Your skin, teeth, and hair can all be affected by the sugar in your diet, in a negative way.
Sugar is addictive, and we are all used to having it almost every day in a variety of different ways – including ways we may not have thought about before. Therefore, giving up sugar is a hard thing to do. The best way to start is to reduce your intake rather than stopping altogether, and slowly having less and less until you have managed to stop completely.
Exercise
Exercise has been proven to make us feel happier, even if you don’t like the idea of it. As long as you enjoy what you are doing (at least a little), then it is worth putting in your schedule because you will feel so much better for it once you have done it. You’ll become a lot fitter to start with, and that will make you feel happier. Plus, exercise means that the hormone serotonin is released in your body. This hormone is called the ‘happiness hormone,’ and it fights against the ‘stress hormone’ called cortisol. The more serotonin and less cortisol you have in your body, the better and the more happy you will feel.
It is essential that you find a class or gym session that suits your lifestyle and fitness level, otherwise, you won’t want to join in, and you won’t feel any of the benefits.
