The definition of “happy” is “feeling or showing pleasure or contentment”.1 Wouldn’t it be great to feel happy more often than not?
There are some small daily habits and rituals that can help us experience the feeling of contentment with our life. Why not give them a go and see how you feel!
Surround yourself with positive people
As the saying goes, you are the company that you keep, therefore you want to surround yourself with those who have a positive impact on you. So, write down names of the people who:
- strengthen you
- make you feel hopeful
- inspire you to want more
If you have the same names coming up, they are your key positive influencers and the colleagues, friends and family members who can help you find happiness and resilience.
Find your passion and purpose
You may ask yourself, “what is my purpose in life?” To be resilient, having a sense of purpose and passion can help you cope with some of life’s challenges. Ask yourself:
- what do I love to do?
- what comes easily to me?
Once you have your answers, why not spend more time doing these things – if it’s something you love to do, it is likely to have a positive impact on your happiness.
Practice gratitude
If you write down each day three things you are grateful for, your brain increases the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin2 – the brain chemicals responsible for feelings of pleasure and happiness, aka the happy hormones!
So keep a note of what you are thankful for, and make a pact with your partner or a friend to share them with each other every day. While you are writing, you should find yourself consciously thinking more about positive words and less about distracting, negative thoughts.
Spread happiness by helping others
To improve self-esteem and feelings of positivity, look to help others whether that be donating to charity or volunteering your time. Those of us who are generous with our time feel better connected to our communities, and often build powerful and lasting relationships. It can also help us feel more optimistic, thankful and self-assured.3
Once you understand more about your purpose and passion, you don’t need to completely overhaul your life all at once. Instead, just practise it, bit by bit. Try and live your life by doing what you love whether it is at work or at home.
To find out more about how a cash plan from Sovereign Health Care can help you feel good all round, visit sovereignhealthcare.co.uk/good-all-round
1 Oxford Dictionary, 2 Natural Stacks, 3 NHS