Even those that are in great physical shape, make a good living and have their stress triggers totally under control can still be unhappy. It takes time and effort to learn how to find joy in the little things and not let your problems bring you down. All the resolutions and improvements you have made until now are building blocks towards the last and most important one, learning to be grateful and happy, happy with what you have and who you are.
Happiness as Habit
Pursue your happiness throughout the day. Just as you consciously make the effort to exercise, eat correctly or get organized you need to develop a habit of happiness. As with any habit you are trying to adopt (or rid yourself off), it must be identified, visualized and maintained. They say it only takes 30 days to break a habit, we believe the same goes for acquiring one.
Happiness is Contagious
Other people’s happiness affects us just as our happiness affects the people around us. It’s amazing to see the reaction when you take a moment to smile at a complete stranger in the street. Happiness is contagious, so much so that we can even catch it from social networking. Sadness is also contagious, so be careful who you are friends with online. Sometimes, even if we are not exactly brimming with the joys of spring, we can fake it till we make it.
Smile
Research has shown that smiling stimulates the feel-good areas of the brain as well as lowering stress hormones and blood pressure. Facial muscles send messages to the brain that stimulate the release of neurons. This relaxes you and slows your pulse. Smiling has been proven to be beneficial to your health, as it acts as a natural pain reliever and can even increase lifespan. When you smile people treat you differently and see you as more attractive, open, friendly and sincere. Something you may want to think about before getting the doctor to Botox away your smile lines!
Pay it forward
If you are buying yourself a coffee and you buy the stranger behind you one too, your happiness will last longer and your coffee will taste better. Paying it forward is all about kindness and making a difference and has nothing to do with money. There are hundreds of ways to pay it forward that won’t cost you a penny; hold the door open for the person behind you, clean out your old clothes and donate them, write a positive review online, donate blood, volunteer, share your umbrella with a stranger in the rain, let someone go in front of you at the checkout. The list of possibilities is endless and the truly selfless acts are the most rewarding.
Happiness Comes with Age
It is a fact that the older you get the happier you become. There was a survey a few years ago by the BBC which included over 300,000 adults across the UK. The result of the study showed that adults aged between 65 to 79 years old are the happiest!
The resolution of happiness is your ultimate gift to yourself for 2024, Happy New Year Everyone!
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