One thing that many people wonder is how to be happier. There are books written about it, courses taught about it, and even people who dedicate their lives to finding happiness. But the pursuit of happiness is no easy task, as finding joy can seem like one of the most elusive and disappointing journeys one can ever go through. For some people, they look to material possessions to be happy, and for others, it is success and career achievements. These elements of happiness often leave the individual only longing for more, obsessed with the next level of success, status or wealth, thinking that if they can only reach the next level, they will somehow be happy. But what most people don’t realize is that happiness is not a destination. This may sound corny, but in truth, happiness is not something that can be achieved by achieving some distant or one-time goal or achievement. It is something that must be incarnated and worked on like any other practice. Happiness is an ongoing mission that won’t be in your power just because you’ve landed the job or relationship of your dreams. Now, those things may be part of your happiness, but your joy cannot rest solely on these material or worldly objects or relationships. It’s not easy to become happier, but there are some methods you can use to start the journey to true happiness. Check out these 6 things you can do right now to make your life happier.
Start saying “no!”
It’s hard to believe that one word can make you happier, but learning to say no is a quick way to start feeling happier. This is because many of us tend to say yes too much, too often, and to too many things or people. Many times we say yes before thinking about our real feelings and we overcommit. This leads to guilt, regret, exhaustion, and a host of negative emotions that constantly push happiness further away.
Limit screen time.
We all love our devices and the convenience they provide. But being connected to our phones, laptops, and tablets has diminished our ability to be autonomous throughout the day. It’s easy to spend hours in front of your phone without realizing that you’ve wasted the entire afternoon consuming other people’s images and words that may not be good for your personal temper. Take some time away from your device and fill your head with good things, like books or art.
Delve into nature.
Being outdoors is a great way to find happiness and relaxation. Enjoying the beauty of lush greens, calm waters, and lively animal life has been shown to dramatically improve your mood. Taking just 15 to 20 minutes a day to get out of the house, even just walking down the street, can make a world of difference in your day.
