We would all love to have a little more happiness, joy, peace and contentment in our lives.

For many, the search for happiness becomes a never ending quest to increase wealth, travel, appearance, security; all as an attempt to become happier in life. 

Psychology studies have begun to focus on reported happiness levels of individuals, and even which countries are happier than others.

This happiness research has discovered some interesting findings –

Happiness doesn’t come down to where you live or how much money you earn, or what you weigh, or how popular you are…

In fact none of these factors have shown to have an dramatic long lasting affect on people’s reported happiness levels.

It turns out, that happy people do a few small, almost insignificant, things daily that overall boost their mood and contentment with their lives.

 

5 THINGS HAPPY PEOPLE DO EVERY DAY –

 

This gratitude practice involves finding 3 different things every day to notice & write down.

You can do this through a personal gratitude journal, or as a family by creating an appreciation jar in your home. The goal is to look for 3 things that happened that day that you are grateful for, that bought your joy or contentment.

Some days this task will be easy, other days it will be more difficult.

When this becomes a daily discipline, you are actually training your brain to look for the good in whatever situations you encounter. And when you do this as a family, you are teaching your children to do the same.

 

Moving your body is critical for influencing your mood.

Studies have shown that movement and exercise for a minimum of  15 minutes daily shows incredible results – it can be as effective as taking an anti-depressant & has positive effects on anxiety.

On a basic level, exercise releases endorphins in your brain and body, which are feel good chemicals.

 

Make more time for friendships.

Individuals who report higher happiness levels have deep connected relationships with others.

When we come to the end of our lives and are reflecting upon the significance of our life, what will matter most is our relationships.

It is particularly easy as we become older with conflicting priorities, to neglect this area of our lives. But individuals who make time in the busyness, lead happier lives.

 

Pause, slow down, relax and focus on your breath.

Many of us have pre-concieved notions about what meditation is about, but in essence it is actually just relaxing and focusing your mind upon your breathing (and away from the activity of your daily life).

Studies have shown that the act of meditation – even for 5 minutes a day – has major positive effects on depression, anxiety, slowing down dementia, & reducing alzehimer’s symptoms.

The more you slow down, the more benefits you will experience.

 

Happy people are givers.

Sometimes you can get so caught up in the stress and complexity of what you are personally facing in your circumstances, that you forget about others.

Engaging in random acts of kindness on a daily basis, not only trains your brain to think about others (rather than just getting stuck focusing on yourself), but the act of helping another person makes you feel more connected to others & good about yourself.

Acts of kindness don’t have to be big things (like cooking meals, sending flowers, buying presents), although these are also good.

It can be an encouraging email or text. Letting someone jump ahead of the queue before you. Opening the door for someone. Getting someone a coffee when you’re out buying your own.

 

 

These small practices repeated daily, add up to a full life of contentment and happiness.

They are all practices that we can all engage in no matter our gender, financial status, or specific set of circumstances in life. This means we all have the power to increase our sense of happiness and satisfaction with our lives.