5 Ways To A Happier You!

How happy are you? Do you think there is room for improvement?

I recently finished university. Writing those final words on my dissertation were pure bliss as I had been so SO stressed out in the months leading up to that point. In that moment, I had the thought that, now that I had finished this massive paper, I really didn’t need to EVER be stressed out again! So I made a vow to myself never to be again.

That didn’t last long. I’m a highly stressful person. It turns out that 50% of out set “happiness” is actually out of our control and is genetically pre-determined. Crazy right? However, 50% is controlled by our thoughts, actions and behaviours. Meaning, if you want to be happy, truly happy, the ball is in your court.

With that in mind, I then decided that I needed to work on improving myself and try and achieve happiness, everyday. Here are 5 ways to a happier you!

1. Don’t sweat the small stuff

Easier said then done right? You might be late for work, the waiter is rude to you or you spill some coffee on your top (or balsamic dressing as it was for me the other day). I guarantee you, if you think in that moment, “this really doesn’t matter in the scheme of LIFE”, then you’re likely to let it blow over without thinking about it. However, if you do spill something on your top, do go wash it out if you can so it doesn’t stain! 😉

2. Learn something new

How good did you feel when you last learnt something completely new? You might have learnt how to cook a new dish well or taken up a new musical instrument (or in my case, learnt how to navigate photoshop). To be constantly learning is to stop the brain from ever becoming stale. You grow as a person, a human being by always adding to your list of skills. So what’s that skill you’ve been wanting to learn lately? Go make a start on it NOW.

3. Exercise to boost energy

Exercise is one of the most dependable mood boosters. How many times have you said “I’m too tired to go and have a workout” but when you actually managed to get up and do it, you felt absolutely amazing afterwards? Even just a small 10-15 minute walk out in the fresh air can do wonders to your mood!

4. Nurture your relationships

Your relationships are the most important element in your life. I kid you not. Having deep friendships, loving relationships with family will make you happy on a whole new level. Having a meaningful conversation with a friend, spending quality time with family… these things are what makes life amazing. It’s proven that people who spend 6-7 hours with family and friends per day are 12 times more likely to feel happy then stressed. What are you waiting for?

5. Buy some happiness

Our basic needs are to feel loved, good at what we do, secure and in control of our lives. Money doesn’t fill these requirements completely, but it can help. You can use money to help stay in contact with family and friends (for example, if they live a plane ride away), to help you improve your health and fitness, to help you excel at your job (enrolling in a course, for example), to help fuel passions (mine is photography) or to donate to a good cause.

For more ways to be happy, click here for a great article!

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