Twelve Daily Practices Recommended by a Mental Health Professional for Boosting Happiness Levels
Feeling like happiness is out of reach? Think again, mate! According to Elissa Epel, professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco and author of The Stress Prescription: Seven Days to More Joy and Ease, we have more control over our happiness than we think. Here are some simple, everyday habits that can boost feelings of joy or contentment-and over time, rewire your brain for positivity.
- Practice Kindness: Do five little nice things for others each day. It could be as simple as sending a funny text, calling your grand Dad, or giving a compliment. No need for lavish gifts, just enjoy giving someone else a mini-moment of joy.
- Focus on Gratitude: Make it a habit to write down, say out loud, or think about the things you're grateful for every day. Gratitude acts as a shield against stress and can put you on a more positive path for the day.
- Bask in Nature: Spend at least a few minutes outside and soak up the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Open your senses and move in a mindful way to relax and lift your spirits.
- Change Your Perspective: When something goes wrong, acknowledge your pain, anger, or inconvenience. But instead of dwelling on the negative, look for the silver lining. It might take effort, but shifting your focus to find something positive can help you move forward.
- Listen Actively: Pay attention to the good things happening in other people's lives. Ask about their day, show genuine interest, and truly listen to their stories.
- Reaffirm Your Values: Make a list of the things that matter most to you, and evaluate whether your actions align with those values. Periodically revisit this list to help guide your decisions and bring you back to a place of contentment and happiness.
- Let Go of Anger through Compassion: Instead of holding onto anger, try to replace it with empathy and kindness. It might not be easy, but it can help you feel less stuck and more connected to the people who have hurt you.
- Experience Awe: Recall a time when you felt a sense of awe-like seeing a breathtaking landscape or holding a new baby. Describe the experience in as much detail as possible to feel a renewed connection to something bigger than yourself.
- Visualize Your Ideal Relationships: Imagine your dream family, romantic, and social life. Picturing happy, fulfilling relationships can help you work towards that future and feel more hopeful about your relationships today.
- Take a Self-Compassion Break: When you're struggling, remind yourself that suffering is a part of life. Say something comforting to yourself, like "May I be kind to myself." This exercise can help you reduce self-criticism and embrace compassion.
- Unplug: Reduce your screen time by taking breaks from your devices or deleting time-wasting apps. By doing so, you'll reclaim time for activities that truly fulfill you and improve your overall happiness.
- Find the Funny: Laughter boosts feel-good neurotransmitters and reduces stress. For a week, write down three funny things you heard, saw, or did each day, along with why they were funny. This simple practice can help you find more joy in your daily life.
So there you have it. Small, daily habits that can lead to a happier, more fulfilling life. Give them a try and see the difference they can make!
- Acknowledge the power of your mind when it comes to emotional well-being, as practicing kindness, even in small ways, can boost feelings of joy and contentment.
- To maintain your health in regards to happiness, it is recommended to focus on gratitude daily, whether written, spoken, or thought, as it serves as a shield against stress and promotes positivity.
- For wellness and personal growth, spending time in nature can calm the mind and uplift the spirits, as immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors can promote relaxation and joy.
- Pay heed to the realsimple act of changing your perspective when facing adversity, as looking for the silver lining can help shift focus from negative to positive, resulting in emotional well-being and improved mindset.
- Active listening in relationships can boost emotional well-being and happiness, as demonstrating genuine interest in others' lives can foster stronger connections and feelings of fulfillment.
- Taking the time for self-reflection and reaffirming your core values can guide personal growth, ensure alignment with your beliefs, and promote a sense of contentment and happiness in your life.
- Compassion and kindness can help manage anger and improve emotional well-being, as replacing anger with empathy and understanding can lead to feelings of connection and relief.
- Awesome experiences, whether they involve nature or personal relationships, can provide a renewed sense of purpose and connection to something greater, which can enhance emotional well-being and overall happiness.
- Visualizing your dream relationships can help you work towards a more fulfilling future and foster feelings of hope and happiness in the present.
- Taking a self-compassion break during difficult times can reduce self-criticism and promote emotional well-being, as reminding oneself of kindness and understanding can help alleviate suffering and promote overall happiness.
- Limit your screen time and unplug from digital devices to reclaim time for activities that foster happiness and personal growth, as doing so can improve emotional well-being and overall lifestyle.
- Find humor in daily life to boost happiness and reduce stress, as making a conscious effort to identify and appreciate the funny moments can help cultivate positivity and emotional well-being.
