10 Ways To Boost Happiness

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There is no special formula to being happy.☺️ It differs with every person, across all boards, and within each culture. So many people have searched for the meaning of happiness, written books on how to be happy, and looked for insight as to what really makes someone happy. One thing remains true though…we all just want to be happy and live a fulfilled and joyful life.

Our happiness is so important. Feeling content in our lives is something that every single person strives for. Whether that means finding a job that you love, moving to the city of your dreams, having meaningful relationships, projecting peace through your spiritual life, or reaching your goals. There are so many factors involved in our happiness. Below, I’m sharing 10 tried and true ways that I have found effective in boosting happiness within the everyday. 💕

1. LIVE IN THE PRESENT 

It’s so important to practice this one daily. Technology is all around us, and so many different devices are fighting for our attention, and trying to pull us away from the moment that we are in. We need to be mindful of this, and to remember to focus on what is actually taking place. Living in the present also means acceptance of where we currently are in life and not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, but simply living in the now and finding content in that.♥️

2. PRACTICE GRATITUDE

I like to try and think of at least one thing each morning that I am grateful for. (It also helps to buy a fun journal to do this with so that you can look back on them! I love this one, this, and this.) It’s so easy to get caught up in thinking about the things that make us sad, stress us out, or cause us to worry. We often times forget to reflect on the many things in life that we should be grateful for. Simple things like: a comfy bed to sleep on every night, fresh coffee in the morning, a phone call with a special friend, or a sunny day. There are so many beautiful things in life to be thankful for, and once we begin to focus on those our mind and thoughts will begin to shift more to gratitude. ✨

3. JOURNAL/QUIET TIME

I love to have a quiet time every morning, where I can just be alone in my thoughts. This includes making a list of priorities for the day, and reflecting on goals for the weeks, months, and year ahead. Getting your thoughts out on paper, and writing down your dreams and hopes for the future is always a healthy way to remain accountable to yourself for everything that you wish to do. ☺️ I also used to love journaling in the evenings before bed so that I could look back and reflect on what my day was like. (I’m planning to pick this up again!)

4. REDISCOVER OR DISCOVER A PASSION

Did you used to love to sew? Play an instrument when you were younger? Take theatre classes in High School? It’s so fun to rediscover or discover a new passion in our adulthood. This brings newness, and a fresh perspective on life. For example, I used to love swimming laps every morning before class in High School and haven’t done that in ages!! My goal is to rediscover my love for swimming as well as discover new passions along the way.

5. FEEL YOUR EMOTIONS 

So often we are told not to cry, not to be sad, to not be angry… It’s VITAL that we allow ourselves to accept and feel our emotions. It’s not healthy to bottle things up, because at one point or another those emotions will spill out at unexpected and untimely moments. Addressing our feelings in the present is a positive and healthy way to work through our feelings. P.S. – there is also therapy! I’m a huge activist for therapy, and think everyone should see a therapist at least once in their life. It’s so healthy to talk to someone about your emotions that can bring a new perspective on the issue. Someone that is completely detached from the situation helps to bring more clarity.

6. MEDITATE

Meditation is a wonderful practice to help us remain mindful and in the present. Including your spiritual life, and walk of faith into it as well is totally up to you! ☺️ I grew up in a Christian home, and have always loved reading my Bible and journaling every morning. (A practice that I need to make sure I continue to do regardless of how busy life can be! ) It might look similar or different to you, but meditation is a way to bring peace to the day ahead, and to help us understand our mind and the way that we think and how to transform it.

7. PRACTICE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

We live in a crazy world, but it is still filled with beautiful people and things. Practicing random acts of kindness can help us to take the focus off of ourselves and place that focus onto others. Don’t be afraid to give a stranger a sweet compliment, smile at someone walking past, or let someone go in line before you. Your words or demeanor towards a stranger can be the one positive thing that they take with them from that day. Personally, I can always remember sweet acts of kindness or kind words spoken to me from a stranger, and take them with me throughout the week. 💕

8. PRIORITIZE SELF CARE

Our lives are full and busy. Filled with work, appointments, meetings, lunches, dinners, events, family time, friend time, and so much more. Carving out a little time for self care each day is important. Whether that be taking a long bubble bath in the evening🛀🏻, pouring yourself a glass of your favorite red wine 🍷, cooking a yummy meal🍝, or taking a yoga class… self care should be on the very top of your list!

9. LAUGH OFTEN 

Laughter is contagious, and one thing that I love about the way that I grew up is that we were constantly laughing and not taking life too seriously. My parents taught me to always look at the positives in every situation, and to have a lighthearted/easy going approach to everything that came my way. We were also always cracking jokes, watching funny movies, and being silly with each other. Nathan grew up very similar to me, so you’ll probably always hear us laughing in our apartment and being our goofiest selves. Life is to wonderful to be taken too seriously. 😜

10. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PLEASING THINGS

Two things that I ALWAYS need to have at home are candles, and fresh flowers.🌸 A lot of my time is spent working from home, so I love to be surrounded by things that are pleasing to my senses. I am constantly lighting candles, and filling the kitchen and bedroom with beautiful fresh blooms. I also love creating a sense of serenity in a space with calming oils, and scents. I sleep with an oil diffuser at night as well and am always using lavender essential oils. Filling your home with pleasing things will bring calm and peace to your surroundings and will make you happy just looking at them! 😀

For more on happiness☀️, check out a few of these helpful & fun books:

• Healthy, Happy YOU
• The Happiness Project
• The Art of Happiness
• 10% Happier 

photography by Madeline Harper. 

WHAT ARE A FEW WAYS IN WHICH YOU BOOST HAPPINESS?

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