22 Things Happy People Do Differently
There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy,
and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness
doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather,
it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while
a homeless person could be right outside, smiling and content with their life.
Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain
a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.
The question is: how do they do that?
It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives.
They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that
they …
1. Don’t hold grudges. Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let
their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has
a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression,
anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If
you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough
energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness. Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes
you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces
serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that,
but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build
stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges. The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem
is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge
is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever
you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have. There’s a popular
saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best
of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have
a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning
for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big. People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish
their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put
itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?”
They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations.
Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the
more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others. Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually
leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people
encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses. Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom
good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for
their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by
doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present. Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor
the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the
moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning.
Have you noticed that a lot of successful
people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning
stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a
calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison. Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you
think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of
superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling
bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and
praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely. Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with
optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more
positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others.
Happy people don’t care what others think
of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage
them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what
people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen. Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms
and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind
gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships. A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how
important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to
see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate. Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t
have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their
minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well. Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in
that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to
produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be
sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as
Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher
sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally. Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that
extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed
out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than
Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive
simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth. Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you
unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental
health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize
for it.
21. Establish personal control. Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let
others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of
one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed. Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace
with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what
you can control and change it for the better.
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