Do you ever wonder what makes you happy? Regardless of your version of true happiness, living a happier, more satisfied life is within reach. Life is a journey full of ups and downs, and everyone will have a share of joy, sadness, disappointment, and other kinds of feelings. So, it is important to know ways to make yourself happy irrespective of the situation you are currently facing.

Luckily, happiness is within you. It comes from all the small things and habits you do every day, and only a few tweaks to your regular habits can help you get there. If some of these habits create added stress or just don’t fit in with your lifestyle, ditch them. With a little time and practice, you’ll figure out what does and doesn’t work for you.

If there’s one desire that humans universally share, it’s happiness. And the secret to navigating through life’s challenges is by remaining happy intentionally because sadness does not help solve any problems. Here are some tips to help you start living a happy life.

 

Smile: Facial expressions can have an influence on emotions. Smiling causes the brain to release a hormone called dopamine that makes us feel happier. So, if you find yourself feeling low, crack a smile and see what happens, or try starting your day by smiling at yourself in the mirror.

 

See friends: Fostering social relationships can make us happy. By spending time with people you like and love, you forge supportive relationships that will help you and others feel better during times of stress.

 

Do what you love: When work feels like play, you’re more likely to enjoy other aspects of your life more, too. Doing things that you love to do and, even better, getting paid for it, are good ways to boost your levels of happiness.

 

Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help reduce stress, feelings of anxiety, and symptoms of depression while boosting self-esteem and happiness. You can start your day with five minutes of stretching, join a yoga class, take a walk in the fresh air, or get involved in any fun activities like dancing. Don’t overexert yourself, though, or you may end up feeling frustrated. 

 

Find me-time: It’s important to step back and take some time for yourself sometimes in order to recharge your spirit and find a little peace. Taking some time away and being alone can do wonders for your mood and outlook, as well as helping you find the meaning of true happiness.

 

Get plenty of sleep: No matter how much our modern society steers us towards less sleep, adequate sleep is vital to good health, brain function, and emotional well-being. Getting enough sleep can also reduce the risk of developing certain chronic illnesses such as heart disease or depression.

 

Give compliments: Research shows that performing acts of kindness can also help to promote your own overall well-being. Giving a sincere compliment is a quick, easy way to brighten someone’s day while giving your own happiness a boost.

 

Be nice to yourself: To make yourself happy, it is important to always say nice things to yourself even when you do something silly. If you tell yourself that you are miserable, your brain may believe that and make you sad. In contrast, when you say nice things to yourself, your mind will read that as a compliment and raise your mood.

 

Feel grateful: Being grateful can give your mood a big boost, among other benefits. Practising gratitude can have a significant impact on feelings of hope and happiness, according to studies.  

 

Spend money on yourself: This is a very important part of how to make yourself happy that a lot of people skip. There’s no harm in spoiling yourself sometimes. If you can afford the best clothing, then buy it and make yourself happy. 

                                              

Stop comparing yourself to others: Having others inspire you with their lives is one thing, but making their success your loss is not fair by any standards. Every person runs a different race, and one person’s life shouldn’t be used as a yardstick to judge your progress in life. Try to find happiness even in the simple things life has offered you.

 

Prioritise your health: The numerous benefits of eating healthily by consuming less sugar and junk food, eating more vegetables, and taking supplements cannot be overemphasised. Apart from making you healthy, they will make you look better, and looking better translates to your loving yourself more.

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* A version of this article appears in print in the 2 February, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly