How can we always be happy? It sounds like a dream! When things are hard, it can be difficult to see the light. Don’t worry – this is normal!
You need to strive toward a balanced mentality.
Allow yourself to feel your negative emotions, but always look for the silver lining.
In this article, we’ll 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, the answer is no. Everyday life has its ups and downs, and we have to exist in the flow of them.
It’s tempting to strive to only be happy. This isn’t necessarily the best way to approach life. 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 just build up and inevitably explode when we get overwhelmed.
While happiness is a good goal, it’s important to hold space for all of our emotions. A happy life involves self-awareness, self-love, and letting ourselves feel blue when it’s needed.
Always Be Happy: Tips For Being Happy
While you can’t be happy 24/7, let’s look at some ways to incorporate happiness into your everyday life.
A lot of happiness comes down to self-care and kindness. You need to look after yourself and be kind to both yourself and others.
1. Get Enough Sleep
A really basic way to improve your happiness level is to get adequate sleep. There are so many mental health benefits of getting enough sleep, and yet it frequently falls to the bottom of our priority list.
When you sleep well, you wake up with more positivity and energy. You can take on the day without feeling sluggish or overwhelmed. You’ll be more productive and positive when you give your body the rest it needs.
So, make sure that you are getting your 7-8 hours of sleep, especially when life gets busy. Establish a good sleep routine. You should be going to bed and waking up around the same time each day so that your body can adjust to your circadian rhythm.
2. Stay In The Present
It’s easy to be distracted by the past or the future. But it’s important that you keep your focus on the present.
Remember what it was like at a young age when everything was new and exciting. Tap into that kind of curiosity and wonder.
Take the time to appreciate all the small moments, like a beautiful sunset or the sound of rain on the window. The more you focus on the present, the more happiness you’ll feel.
Try mindfulness meditation and breathing exercises to help you stay in the moment. Exercising regularly can also help you to stay present. If you take time for yourself, it will be easier to focus on the here and now.
3. Challenge Negative Thoughts
While negative thoughts are a part of life, you shouldn’t let them run unchecked. To improve your mood, you need to challenge intrusive thoughts.
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 all the things you are thankful for at least once a week. By cultivating gratitude, your mindset will be altered in such a way that you always find something to be happy about.
Negative thinking can be spurred on by the people you surround yourself with. Your relationships can play a big role in your own happiness, so choose them 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.
Watch out for comparison as well. Comparing yourself to others is a trap that has the power to sap your energy and lower your self-esteem.
You don’t need to have achieved a certain goal to be worthy of happiness or to be proud of yourself. You deserve to be happy simply by virtue of the fact that you exist.
4. Use A Happiness App
Life can be fast-paced. Sometimes it can feel like you don’t have time to focus on yourself and your mood. However, the busier you are, the more important it is to take time 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. There are plenty of apps 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.
You might also be interested in using an accountability calendar to help you stay on track with your happiness goals.
5. See A Mental Health Professional
If you’ve tried it all, but are still struggling to be happy, there’s a chance you may need to see a professional.
Don’t be afraid to explore this option if it’s best for you! Plenty of people make use of regular therapy sessions. A therapist can help you identify the underlying causes of your unhappiness and create a plan to tackle them.
You can also get therapy online if you don’t have access to a local provider. Reach out for help, and always remember that your mental health is worth fighting for.
Final Thoughts
While always being happy might not be realistic, you should still seek long-term happiness. There are many big and small things you can do 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 thoughts 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!
