Hello, my happy readers! It’s Anita Petty, and today we’re going to talk about one of the most sought-after states of mind: happiness.
Happiness is something that we all want to achieve, but sometimes it feels like an elusive dream. We might think that we need to have a certain amount of money, a perfect partner, or a successful career to be happy. However, the truth is that happiness is not something that we can find outside of ourselves. It’s a state of mind that we cultivate from within.
So, how do we cultivate happiness? Well, it starts with a mindset shift. We need to realize that happiness is not something that we can chase. It’s something that we create. It’s a choice that we make every day. We can choose to focus on the positive aspects of our lives or the negative ones. We can choose to be grateful for what we have or focus on what we lack. The choice is ours.
Here are some tips on how to cultivate happiness:
1. Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is the cornerstone of happiness. When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, we feel happier. Take some time every day to write down three things that you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big things, even the small things count. Maybe you’re grateful for the warm sunshine, a cup of coffee, or a kind word from a friend. By focusing on the good things in our lives, we attract more good things.
2. Cultivate Positive Relationships
We are social creatures, and our relationships have a big impact on our happiness. Surround yourself with people who uplift you and make you feel good. Spend time with friends and family who support you and make you laugh. Avoid toxic relationships that drain your energy and make you feel bad about yourself. Remember, you are the company you keep.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment. When we’re mindful, we’re not thinking about the past or worrying about the future. We’re fully engaged in what’s happening right now. Mindfulness can help us reduce stress and anxiety, which are major obstacles to happiness. You can practice mindfulness by meditating, taking a mindful walk, or simply taking a few deep breaths.
4. Pursue Your Passions
We all have things that we love to do, but we don’t always make time for them. Pursuing our passions can bring us joy and fulfillment. Maybe you love to paint, dance, or write. Whatever it is, make time for it. When we’re doing something that we love, we’re in a state of flow, and time seems to stand still. That’s when we’re happiest.
5. Take Care of Your Body
Our physical health is closely linked to our mental health. When we take care of our bodies, we feel better both physically and mentally. Eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly. Even a brisk walk on a regular basis can be very beneficial to our well-being. These simple habits can have a big impact on our happiness.
6. Develop and Practice Resiliency Skills
In life, you will undoubtedly have days when things don’t go your way. Conflict comes when our ideas about how things should be do not match reality. What happens when life doesn’t meet your expectations? Do you experience anger, frustration or sadness? Over time, do you grow bitter or angry that things never seem to work out like you planned?
So how do we avoid the negative emotions that bring on bad stress that can block our progress? One way is to practice resiliency as part of daily mindset management.
What is Resiliency?
Let’s back up a second. You may be wondering, ‘What is this thing called resiliency?’ Resiliency is the ability to recover from setbacks, disappointments and failures. When practiced effectively, it enables us to put disappointments and misfortune in their proper perspectives—to learn and grow in spite of life’s challenges and lead happier lives.
Experts say that resiliency is an acquired skill—an ability that we can develop through changes in thoughts, actions, and behavior. Increasing resiliency involves embracing adversity and reframing it as a learning experience.
People tend to perceive bad experiences as major events when most are minor. For example, when someone cuts you off in traffic do you retaliate and physically show your anger? If you are running late and miss your flight, do you take it in stride and focus on finding another flight? Or, do you get angry and blame the gate attendants for making you late?
The key to avoiding upsetting emotions when our expectations are not met is to pause and put challenging situations in their proper perspectives. When something bad happens, stop and take a deep breath. Think.
Consider the gravity of what has happened. Is this truly a major crisis or is it really only a minor one? Are you making the situation out to be more than it is? Taking a moment to ask yourself these questions will help you reframe the situation, and, most likely, you will realize that things are not as bad as you thought.
Another way to increase resiliency and strengthen your coping skills is to recognize that worry is wasted mental energy. If you are a person who believes that worry is worthwhile as it will help you solve problems, realize that over 90 percent of the things you worry about will not even happen! Spending time playing out the various scenarios in your mind that could happen, robs you of happiness and valuable time that would be better spent focusing on important tasks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, happiness is not something we can find outside of ourselves. It’s a state of mind that we cultivate from within. By practicing gratitude, cultivating positive relationships, practicing mindfulness, pursuing our passions, taking care of our bodies, and developing resiliency skills, we can create a happier life. Remember, happiness is a choice that we make every day. Choose wisely, my friends!
You can learn more about cultivating happiness in my book, Money Switch: Flip Yourself Onto Happiness, Health & Wealth. Download your FREE copy today.
