How to Be Happy in 8 Steps
When asked what they most desire, most people will reply 'to be happy'; yet remarkably few actually are. Of course, happiness depends very much on the individuals concerned. Some people live alone in a cramped apartment, with little money and few friends, but they nevertheless find life a joy. And everyone has met that man who 'has it all' yet walks about in a gloomy depression. Here are eight steps to help you become happy.
1) Take care of your body.
It is remarkable how few articles and books on the subject of happiness fail to mention this. But if you subsist on a diet of fizzy drinks and junk food, your mood will sink. So eat plenty of raw, organic fruits and vegetables, fresh, oily fish and good quality protein. Then, dust off the running shoes and get exercising. Exercise has been shown to improve mood in study after study. However, try and make the exercise gentle, regular and out of doors. A brisk walk in the countryside is ideal.
2) Avoid nostalgia, and let go of regret.
Looking back is a sure way to lower your mood. Nostalgia keeps you trapped in the past and is often a sign of unhappiness, frustration or boredom in the present. Be honest: were things really better when you were a teen? Were you really happy? Don't you remember all the insecurity and self-doubt? And let go of regret. It may be a cliché, but there is nothing you can do about it. You may wish you'd asked that girl out, or not married so young, or gone away to college; given a little time, anyone could compile a long list of regrets. The only life you will ever have is here and now. Instead of looking back, take an interest in science and technology. This will keep you grounded in the present. The modern world has its problems, from overpopulation to climate change, but there are also astonishing things under development. Perhaps the life span will be extended or you will see humans walk on Mars. Be excited about what humans will discover and invent next.
3) Fill your life with people.
Humans are tribal creatures, and we need to feel connected to others and engaged with the world. Of course, the types of people are important. Avoid anyone who wallows in unhappiness, has a negative, bleak outlook on life or is jealous and competitive. Instead, seek out people who make you feel good, people who enjoy life without taking it too seriously. Most of life's pleasures are so much better if you have someone to share them with.
4) Find a passion.
The happiest people tend to be those who have a burning love for something. Whether it is poetry or horse racing, baseball or Astronomy, never allow others to belittle or dismiss your passion.
5) Be curious.
Cultivate an interest in as wide a variety of things as possible, whether that is Botany or Renaissance painting. And make a point of trying things outside of your comfort zone. This needn't mean skydiving or bungee jumping. But if you have an 'arty', literary mind and have spent most of your life immersed in books, try something different: go to a science museum or take up karate. Be a 'yes sayer' rather than a hesitator.
6) Make a point of enjoying trivial pleasures.
Humans are very good at noticing discomfort and boredom; they are less good at highlighting moments of fun and joy. If you are walking in the woods on a beautiful spring morning, say out loud "isn't it beautiful"! If you are enjoying your pizza and DVD box set, say so. The happiest people wallow in these moments.
7) Train your mind to focus on the positive.
If it is raining, make your automatic response "well, it is good for the garden. Everywhere will be lovely and green after this". Negative, miserable people have learned to be that way. If you can learn to be negative, you can learn to be positive.
8) Overcome the ego.
That doesn't mean you must sit under a tree meditating. But the more greedy, competitive and jealous you are, the more you seek to win and achieve, the more likely you are to be unhappy... and lonely. Some people expect far too much of life, and when they fail to get what they want they sink into a depression.
Above all, don't pin your happiness on one thing. Too many people assume that to be happy they must first earn lots of money or find 'the one'. But happiness flows from physical health and the right mental attitude. So eat healthily, look on the bright side, cultivate an interest in the world and fill your life with people.
Comments (5)
Now i should follow those points
I meet people that trying to get out of their insecurities by reading positive thinking books and how to love themselves. What about when they finished exercising to tell themselves how good unique beautiful they are and no one tells them that. I would think in moments alone they would fall in their insecurities again and who does not have some kind of insecurity or went through unhappiness the best is to let things flow as no one can avoid their destiny.
Science has progressed insofar as to demonstrate that free will is an illusion. Any actions you take or believe you choose are the result of prior causes; such as the cooperation of a hundred billion of neurons in the brain that occur without you being conscious of them. This leads people into the fallacy that they have free-will and that they are some locus of consciousness inside the brain “steering the wheel”. You have as much control of what you are going to think and do next as you have over breathing and the creation of red blood cells in the body. Trying to get answers to questions pertaining to happiness is futile. Following someone else's advice, as though they know when they themselves probably don’t even know what’s good for them! That's how ridiculous this is.
The constant striving to be happy or to be anything than what you akready are creates all our so-called problems. This is simply due to the fact that we're fighting with ourselves non-stop and for an unfortunate majority, only death will relieve them from this dilemma.
As long as one has the desire to be happy, he/she will never be. When we realize that happiness and pain are actually two sides of the same coin; in other words, there cannot be happiness without pain, we cease trying to do anything. We can observe the vicious cycle we were caught in, much like watching a bad movie for the fourth time. What is happiness? It's an idea conjured up in the mind. A mere thought. If anyone has a fundamental understanding of the mind, you will come to realize that thought is the cause of the majority of our suffering. (if you pay attention closely, you will realize that thoughts cannot be controlled and are random). We are not authoring our thoughts. That would require you to think them before you think them. See for yourself. Wait for the next thought that appears (out of nowhere, into consciousness. Did you choose the thought? Everything is a happening.
The body will take care of itself if you allow it to. To conclude it must be made clear that articles of this nature cannot solve anyone's problems. All this self-help knowledge including the ridiculous article above will be seen for what it is. Junk, Nobody can give you what you want. This is something to discover for "yourself". Perhaps the author has good intentions, but what he/she doesn't realize is they are contributing to your miseries. The moment you follow a method, you’ve already created conflict. When you cease this obsession, and let everything happen as they’re supposed to, you may find peace and see that whatever actions you take are right actions.
I am new here but that's a great article because it is true.