Always Be Happy – 7 Proven Ways to Be Happy
How can we always be happy? It sounds like a dream! When things are hard, it can be challenging to see the light. Don’t worry – this is normal!
Try to strive toward a balanced mentality. Allow yourself to feel negative emotions, but always look for the silver lining.
This article will cover ways to keep yourself happy, even when the going gets tough.
Is It Realistic to Always Be Happy?
Even with all the positive thinking and happiness hacks in the world, it’s impossible to always be happy. Everyday life has ups and downs, and we must exist in their flow.
It’s tempting to strive to only be happy. But there are better ways to approach life than this. Sadness is a normal emotion, and it’s important to let ourselves feel sad sometimes.
If we try to push away negative emotions, they don’t stop existing. They build up and inevitably explode when we get overwhelmed.
While happiness is a good goal, it is essential to hold space for all our emotions. A happy life involves self-awareness, self-love, and feeling blue when needed. By embracing the full spectrum of human emotions, we can develop a more balanced and resilient approach to life.
True happiness comes not from constantly seeking pleasure but from learning to navigate and grow from all of life’s experiences, both joyful and challenging. By cultivating self-compassion and acceptance, we can find contentment and peace, even during life’s ups and downs.
Always Be Happy: Tips for Being Happy
While you can’t be happy 24/7, let’s look at ways to incorporate more happiness into your everyday life.
A lot of happiness comes down to self-care and kindness. You must look after yourself and be kind to yourself and others.
1. Get Enough Sleep
A fundamental way to improve your happiness level is to get adequate sleep. Getting enough sleep has many mental health benefits, yet it frequently falls to the bottom of our priority list.
When you sleep well, you wake up with more positivity and energy, ready to take on the day without feeling sluggish or overwhelmed. Giving your body the rest it needs increases productivity and gives you a more positive outlook.
It’s crucial to prioritize sleep, especially when life gets hectic. Stress levels increase during busy times, and your body and mind require more rest to function optimally. Skimping on sleep during these periods can lead to increased irritability and difficulty coping with daily challenges.
So, ensure you get 7-8 hours of sleep every night, especially when life gets busy. Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day so your body can adjust to your circadian rhythm.
Work on improving your sleep quality. Create a relaxing bedtime routine, make your bedroom sleep-friendly, avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime, and be mindful of your daytime habits. If you have trouble falling asleep, engage in a calming activity until you feel sleepy.
2. Prioritize Your Physical Health
In addition to getting enough sleep, taking care of your physical health is crucial for maintaining a positive mood and overall well-being. A holistic approach incorporating exercise and proper nutrition can significantly improve your happiness.
Exercise is a proven mood booster, as physical activity releases endorphins, reduces stress, and improves self-esteem. Find activities you enjoy so exercise doesn’t feel like a chore. This could include dancing, biking, practicing yoga, or playing a sport with friends. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
If that feels overwhelming, start small with a 10-minute walk and gradually build up from there. Look for ways to incorporate more movement into your daily routine, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
In addition to exercise, nourish your body with the right nutrients. Focus on consuming whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible while limiting your intake of sugar and alcohol, which can negatively impact your mood.
Stay well hydrated by sipping water throughout the day. Spend time outdoors to soak up sunshine and increase your vitamin D levels, which is beneficial for maintaining good mental health. Consider incorporating supplements like fish oil and vitamin B12 into your diet to support brain function.
By prioritizing exercise and nutrition, you’ll build a solid base for your physical health. And when your body is in good shape, it’s much easier for your mind to stay positive and happy. It’s all connected!
3. Stay in the Present
It’s easy to dwell on past mistakes or worry about future uncertainties. To be happy, focus on the present.
Remember what it was like at a young age when everything was new and exciting? Children have an incredible capacity for wonder and curiosity, finding joy in the simplest things. As adults, we can tap into that same sense of presence and appreciation.
Take the time to notice and savor the small moments that make up your day. It could be the warmth of the sun on your face, the sound of birds chirping, or the aroma of your morning coffee. These seemingly insignificant details can bring immense joy when you’re fully present.
One powerful tool for staying in the present is mindfulness meditation. This practice involves focusing your attention on the present moment without judgment. Start by finding a quiet space and sitting comfortably. Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath. Notice the sensation of the air moving in and out of your body. When your mind inevitably wanders, gently redirect your focus back to your breath. Even a few minutes of mindfulness practice daily can help you cultivate a greater sense of presence.
Another way to stay present is to engage all your senses when experiencing something. For example, when you’re eating, take the time to really taste and savor each bite. Notice the textures, flavors, and aromas of your food. When you’re outside, feel the breeze on your skin, smell the fresh air, and listen to the sounds around you. By fully immersing yourself in these sensory experiences, you’ll find greater joy and appreciation in the present moment.
It’s also important to minimize distractions that pull you out of the present. Limit your time on social media and your phone, as these can often transport your mind to a virtual world, disconnecting you from the reality in front of you. Instead, prioritize activities that allow you to be fully engaged, such as spending time with loved ones or pursuing creative endeavors.
Think about what you liked to do as a child. Those passions likely still resonate with you. Maybe you loved to draw, build with Legos, or put on plays. Look for ways to incorporate those interests into your adult life. Take an art class, join an improv group, or do a challenging puzzle. Learning new things is great for happiness, too, so don’t be afraid to try something different. The more you engage in activities that light you up, the happier you’ll be.
Remember, the present moment is all we truly have. The past is gone, and the future is not guaranteed. By learning to stay in the present, you’ll discover a deep sense of contentment and happiness that comes from appreciating the beauty and simplicity of each moment.
4. Challenge Negative Thoughts
While negative thoughts are a part of life, you shouldn’t let them run unchecked. Challenge intrusive thoughts to improve your mood.
To boost your positive thoughts, practice gratitude regularly. A good idea is to start participating in Thankful Thursday, where you think about and write down what you are thankful for at least once a week. By cultivating gratitude, you can alter your mindset in such a way that you always find something to be happy about.
Your relationships can greatly affect your happiness, so choose the people you surround yourself with wisely. If you leave interactions with people feeling drained, used, or belittled, that’s a problem. Consider letting these negative people go.
Surround yourself with positive people who make you feel happy, loved, and supported! Your close friends and family will help you stay positive even on your bad days.
Remember that positivity is contagious, so by surrounding yourself with uplifting individuals, you’ll be more likely to adopt an optimistic outlook yourself. Make a conscious effort to engage in activities and conversations that foster joy, laughter, and meaningful connections with these important people in your life.
Watch out for comparison, too. Comparing yourself to others is a trap that can sap your energy and lower your self-esteem. Remember that everyone is on their own unique journey, facing challenges and triumphs that may not be visible from the outside. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your personal growth and celebrate your own progress, no matter how small it may seem.
Also, remember that you don’t need to have achieved a specific goal to be worthy of happiness or to be proud of yourself. You deserve to be happy simply because you exist.
5. Perform Acts of Kindness
One of the most effective ways to boost your own happiness is by spreading joy to others. Engaging in acts of kindness can profoundly improve your mental well-being. When you make a conscious effort to do good for others, you’ll find that the positive effects are twofold—you will brighten someone else’s day and experience a powerful surge of happiness and fulfillment.
There are countless ways to practice random acts of kindness. It can be as simple as buying coffee for the person in line behind you, writing an encouraging note to a friend who’s going through a tough time, or offering to help a colleague with a challenging task at work. You can also consider volunteering for a cause you care about, such as helping at a local animal shelter, participating in a community cleanup event, or mentoring a young person in need.
When you focus on helping others, you’ll find that it shifts your perspective and gets you out of your own head. Instead of dwelling on your own problems or stressors, you’ll be actively engaged in making a positive difference in someone else’s life. This builds stronger social connections and a sense of community and provides purpose and meaning.
To make kindness a regular part of your life, challenge yourself to perform at least one act of kindness every day, no matter how small it may seem. Over time, these little acts of kindness add up, contributing to a greater sense of happiness, contentment, and overall well-being.
Moreover, your kindness has the potential to create a ripple effect, inspiring others to pay it forward and spread positivity in their own lives. When you lead by example and demonstrate the power of kindness, you contribute to a more compassionate and supportive world, one small act at a time.
The key to reaping the benefits of kindness is to give without expecting anything in return. Embrace the joy of making others smile, and your own happiness will flourish.
6. Use a Happiness App
In our fast-paced world, it can feel like you don’t have time to focus on yourself. However, the busier you are, the more critical it is to focus on yourself and your mental health and happiness so you develop resilience and don’t burn out.
To make it relatively easy, consider using one of the best apps for happiness. Plenty of apps are available with different features designed to help you focus on the positive things in your life and develop a happy mind.
Happiness apps have features like daily affirmations, mood tracking, gratitude journaling, relaxation exercises, and activities that promote self-care. These little tools can help you always be happy and content, no matter what life throws at you.
Happiness apps with accountability calendars are particularly useful for staying on track with your happiness goals. These visual tools allow you to create a tangible record of your progress by marking off completed tasks or habits related to your well-being.
By representing your commitment to personal growth in a clear, visual format, an accountability calendar reinforces your motivation to prioritize your happiness. Seeing your dedication and consistency over time can provide a powerful sense of accomplishment and encourage you to maintain your positive habits.
7. See a Mental Health Professional
If you’ve tried various strategies to improve your happiness but still find yourself struggling, it may be time to seek professional help. There’s no shame in reaching out for support when you need it. In fact, recognizing that you need assistance is a sign of strength and self-awareness.
Mental health professionals, such as therapists, counselors, or psychologists, are trained to help you navigate the complexities of your emotions and thought patterns. They can provide you with valuable tools and techniques to manage stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health concerns that may be impacting your happiness.
In therapy sessions, you’ll have a safe, non-judgmental space to explore the underlying causes of your unhappiness. Your therapist will work with you to identify any negative thought patterns or behaviors that may be holding you back from experiencing joy and contentment. Together, you’ll develop a personalized plan to address these challenges and work towards building a happier, more fulfilling life.
Remember that seeking therapy doesn’t mean you’re weak or broken. It means you’re taking a proactive step towards prioritizing your mental well-being. Many people from all walks of life benefit from regular therapy sessions. Therapy is a valuable resource that can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and develop the skills needed to navigate life’s ups and downs.
Your mental health is worth fighting for. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you need it. With the right support and guidance, you can overcome obstacles, rediscover joy, and create the happy, fulfilling life you deserve.
Final Thoughts
While always being happy might not be realistic, you should still seek long-term happiness. You can do many big and small things to help you stay happy and focus on the good in your life.
Hopefully, our tips bring a dash of happiness to your day! Remember to be kind to yourself, and watch out for negative thinking that can take away your joy.
If you’re looking for more information on happiness and how you can be happier, consider reading about our elements of happiness. Researching how to be happier is a great step for those who want to (almost) always be happy!