Oh, Happy Day! 9 Steps to a More Joyful You
It's International Day of Happiness and, with these ideas at your fingertips, there's no better time to go and get cheerful
Stopping to smell the roses is a nice idea, but when life’s busy and you’re being pulled in all directions or you’re going through a tough time, smelling the roses tends to be the last thing on your mind. Let International Day of Happiness be the reminder you need to make your wellbeing and connection with others a priority. These easy-to-implement steps to a happier life will make for a more caring, sharing world – and that’s good news for everyone.
STEP 2: Look after your body and mind
Whether you’re a gym fanatic or a complete beginner, take a moment to rethink your fitness routine and make sure you are getting out of it what you put in.
When it comes to caring for your mind, a simple technique is practising mindfulness. We are the only species that can reflect on the past and plan for the future and, while this has its benefits, it means we often forget to focus on the here and now.
Mindfulness, or the practice of living in the now, has been shown to improve levels of satisfaction with life, along with a host of other wellbeing benefits that give your happiness a boost.
TIP: If time is short, why not combine an exercise routine that allows you to practise mindfulness at the same time? As you head out the door for a morning walk, for example, make it a new habit to get out of your head and focus instead on what you can see, hear, and smell. It’s that simple.
Whether you’re a gym fanatic or a complete beginner, take a moment to rethink your fitness routine and make sure you are getting out of it what you put in.
When it comes to caring for your mind, a simple technique is practising mindfulness. We are the only species that can reflect on the past and plan for the future and, while this has its benefits, it means we often forget to focus on the here and now.
Mindfulness, or the practice of living in the now, has been shown to improve levels of satisfaction with life, along with a host of other wellbeing benefits that give your happiness a boost.
TIP: If time is short, why not combine an exercise routine that allows you to practise mindfulness at the same time? As you head out the door for a morning walk, for example, make it a new habit to get out of your head and focus instead on what you can see, hear, and smell. It’s that simple.
STEP 3: Reach for a helping hand
Life isn’t always easy and, as much as we’d all like to feel happy all the time, many people feel like they’re facing an uphill battle. If you’re feeling down, be sure to tell someone. Even if it’s the kind voice of a stranger on the other end of the phone line (call Lifeline on 13 11 14), it might be just what you need for life to start turning around.
TIP: If you’ve bounced back from a difficult time, why not give up some of your time to help others. Volunteering on a helpline – you might even be able to do it from home – could be one of the most personally rewarding things you ever do.
Life isn’t always easy and, as much as we’d all like to feel happy all the time, many people feel like they’re facing an uphill battle. If you’re feeling down, be sure to tell someone. Even if it’s the kind voice of a stranger on the other end of the phone line (call Lifeline on 13 11 14), it might be just what you need for life to start turning around.
TIP: If you’ve bounced back from a difficult time, why not give up some of your time to help others. Volunteering on a helpline – you might even be able to do it from home – could be one of the most personally rewarding things you ever do.
STEP 4: Be a wise consumer
We’ve all succumbed to a little retail therapy at times (yes, online shopping still counts!), but it’s often not nearly as satisfying as we think it will be when we get those purchases home.
Restrict yourself to buying what you truly need or things that bring you authentic joy (who can resist the smiley cushion on this sofa?), and your bank balance will be healthier for it – and that means you’ll have more to spend on happy things like holidays.
We’ve all succumbed to a little retail therapy at times (yes, online shopping still counts!), but it’s often not nearly as satisfying as we think it will be when we get those purchases home.
Restrict yourself to buying what you truly need or things that bring you authentic joy (who can resist the smiley cushion on this sofa?), and your bank balance will be healthier for it – and that means you’ll have more to spend on happy things like holidays.
STEP 5: Challenge yourself
It can be incredibly satisfying to stretch yourself and learn something new. For some of us, that comes naturally, but for others it means stepping out of our comfort zone. The good news is that you can start small. Even reading a different kind of book – non-fiction instead of fiction, say – is doing a 180-degree turn and trying something different.
TIP: Just as learning something new can be rewarding, so can teaching something new to someone else. If you have a skill you could share – be it crafting, writing novels, training dogs or studying the stars – why not run a class at home or volunteer at an aged care facility to share your knowledge? The reward of happiness will be plentiful.
It can be incredibly satisfying to stretch yourself and learn something new. For some of us, that comes naturally, but for others it means stepping out of our comfort zone. The good news is that you can start small. Even reading a different kind of book – non-fiction instead of fiction, say – is doing a 180-degree turn and trying something different.
TIP: Just as learning something new can be rewarding, so can teaching something new to someone else. If you have a skill you could share – be it crafting, writing novels, training dogs or studying the stars – why not run a class at home or volunteer at an aged care facility to share your knowledge? The reward of happiness will be plentiful.
STEP 6: Be thankful for what you have
We can’t all live in a house with a view this amazing, but it’s too easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what we don’t have when, really, we have so much.
TIP: Get out your smartphone and take four pictures of every room (one from each corner) as well as close-ups of anything you perceive as valuable. Put the pics in an album on your desktop and choose a view that puts them all on display. Let this be a powerful reminder of your privileged life (not to mention a valuable record for the insurance company, should the house burn down). If you can count good health, friends and family among your blessings, be extra thankful.
10 ways to give thanks to your home
We can’t all live in a house with a view this amazing, but it’s too easy to fall into the trap of focusing on what we don’t have when, really, we have so much.
TIP: Get out your smartphone and take four pictures of every room (one from each corner) as well as close-ups of anything you perceive as valuable. Put the pics in an album on your desktop and choose a view that puts them all on display. Let this be a powerful reminder of your privileged life (not to mention a valuable record for the insurance company, should the house burn down). If you can count good health, friends and family among your blessings, be extra thankful.
10 ways to give thanks to your home
STEP 7: Hang out with others
Action for Happiness, a non-profit organisation that aims to help people take practical action to improve mental wellbeing and create a happier, more caring society, reports that one of the keys to feeling happier is learning to form deeper connections with others. Research shows people with strong and broad social relationships are happier, healthier and live longer. In addition, our close relationships with family and friends “provide love, meaning, support and increase our feelings of self worth”.
TIP: What better way to do that than host a party? To really get in the spirit, set up a game that forces your guests to mingle and get to know people they may never have met. Who knows what new friendships might form.
Action for Happiness, a non-profit organisation that aims to help people take practical action to improve mental wellbeing and create a happier, more caring society, reports that one of the keys to feeling happier is learning to form deeper connections with others. Research shows people with strong and broad social relationships are happier, healthier and live longer. In addition, our close relationships with family and friends “provide love, meaning, support and increase our feelings of self worth”.
TIP: What better way to do that than host a party? To really get in the spirit, set up a game that forces your guests to mingle and get to know people they may never have met. Who knows what new friendships might form.
STEP 8: Set yourself some goals
Some people believe that ‘telling’ the universe their goals, either by writing them down or saying them out loud, is a way to will them into being. Whatever your beliefs, you’re more likely to get where you want to go if you have a map to help you get there, so it pays to make a step-by-step plan. If you’re not getting there as fast as you’d hoped, don’t worry – anticipation tends to bring about more happiness than actually achieving the goal so enjoy the journey!
TIP: Put your bucket list or goals up in lights (or, in this case, up on the chalkboard) for motivation to stay on track.
Some people believe that ‘telling’ the universe their goals, either by writing them down or saying them out loud, is a way to will them into being. Whatever your beliefs, you’re more likely to get where you want to go if you have a map to help you get there, so it pays to make a step-by-step plan. If you’re not getting there as fast as you’d hoped, don’t worry – anticipation tends to bring about more happiness than actually achieving the goal so enjoy the journey!
TIP: Put your bucket list or goals up in lights (or, in this case, up on the chalkboard) for motivation to stay on track.
STEP 9: Learn to love yourself
What do you see when you look in the mirror? If low self-esteem is standing in your way of happiness, name three things you love about yourself each day when looking at your reflection – and make sure they’re things that matter. A sense of compassion and radiant health is far more important than fitting into a tiny pair of jeans.
TIP: If you haven’t already discovered the wisdom of throwing out your scales, International Day of Happiness is just the day to do it. Shifting your focus to optimising your health rather than how much you weigh will be positively liberating!
YOUR SAY
What brings you happiness? Share your tips in the Comments … and have a happy day!
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Live for Today and Make Every Day Special
Why We Should All Roll Up Our Sleeves and Bring Back ‘Baking Day’
What do you see when you look in the mirror? If low self-esteem is standing in your way of happiness, name three things you love about yourself each day when looking at your reflection – and make sure they’re things that matter. A sense of compassion and radiant health is far more important than fitting into a tiny pair of jeans.
TIP: If you haven’t already discovered the wisdom of throwing out your scales, International Day of Happiness is just the day to do it. Shifting your focus to optimising your health rather than how much you weigh will be positively liberating!
YOUR SAY
What brings you happiness? Share your tips in the Comments … and have a happy day!
MORE
Hello Sunshine! How to Start Your Day Off the Right Way
Live for Today and Make Every Day Special
Why We Should All Roll Up Our Sleeves and Bring Back ‘Baking Day’
There’s no better gift to yourself than giving to others, but it’s easy to get wrapped up in the everyday without letting your loved ones know you appreciate them. Spread a little joy and the joy will come back to you tenfold.
TIP: Let today be the day you start leaving the occasional note for your partner, kids or housemates that lets them know you like them just as they are; give unexpected hugs; and say thank you for the little things they do. If you can aim for five positive interactions for every negative one, you’re doing pretty well.