Are you in a slump or bombarded with negative thoughts? Founder of The Happy NewsEmily Coxhead reveals five tips on how to be happier
Firstly, there is no simple way to ‘be happier’, happiness doesn’t come from a specific place or person or thing (although, cups of tea and lying on a beach would definitely be at the top of the list for me) .
We need to try to move away from this idea that after our next vacation, pay rise, new purchase, we will be happier because if there is an underlying problem, stressful thoughts or feelings or generally just a reason to be unhappy, then that will keep being there no matter how many things get in the way.
We can’t wake up one morning worried and stress free, that’s not how the world works
Of course, it’s not as easy as finding absolute peace and happiness in yourself, we can’t wake up one morning with worry and no stress, that’s not how the world works.
What we can do is try to understand the underlying issues and try to build our own strength and resilience so that we can first recognize our thoughts and feelings, but then try to understand and process them whether we write them or speak to someone trust.
It can be incredibly important and helpful if you can share the load and just take some of the weight off your shoulders.
Here are five very basic tips that may help you find some happiness now or later down the line…
How to be happier tip #1 Be careful about what you consume
Especially now, more than ever, we are constantly bombarded with scary headlines and statistics, not to mention scrolling through social media looking for glimpses of positivity and often facing a whole heap of negativity, comparing and not feeling good enough.
Know that it’s okay to turn off news alerts if you’re feeling tired, it’s also totally okay to unfollow or “mute” people on social media who don’t make you feel good.
In the same way that you have (or should have) control over the people around you in real life, you must also apply this to the ‘virtual world’.
How to Be Happier Tip #2 You can’t please all the people all the time
I get it, it’s not as simple as just dismissing your boss’s comments or ignoring something a friend said, these are all very normal situations that we often struggle to process.
However, as you go through life there will be many people who come and go and the truth is you just can’t and won’t please everyone all the time, that’s something I get told a lot, it’s one of my dad’s favorite sayings, but it’s something I have to constantly remind myself of.
you simply cannot and will not please all people all the time
I think once you can realize and admit that there are certain things or ways or traits that some people just won’t like or understand about you, then it will be slightly easier to process if you lose touch with someone or gradually or suddenly. .
Talking to people is so important and it’s a huge way to figure things out and move through sticky situations, even if it’s really hard to do.
However, sometimes it just doesn’t work out, and that may have nothing to do with either person in particular, and it’s possible that it’s completely out of their control.
How to Be Happier Tip #3 Find things or people that make you happy
We can quickly and often unknowingly get caught up in these ideas of what should make us happy or what makes our friend or partner happy and it’s really important to sometimes step back and think about what makes you happy, when it was when was the last time you did something for yourself?
Whether it’s swimming or baking or running or painting, whatever brings you a little happiness, do more of it.
READ MORE: Mental Health Fixes – 13 Women Share What Makes Them Happy
How to be happier tip #4 Embrace what makes you… well, you!
We live in a world that unfortunately isn’t always designed to make us happy, it’s much quicker to point out our flaws – that we should have less wrinkled skin, fewer stretch marks or shinier hair.
Every bit of us is what makes us who we are and tells us our story and makes us different from the next person, it’s not always easy but we should be SO proud of it.
Change doesn’t have to be groundbreaking or newsworthy, often the smallest things make a positive difference
Our body is the most incredible thing and takes care of us in ways we can’t understand sometimes, we shouldn’t constantly criticize it or think how it could be or look better.
We would never do this to our mom or our friends, so why should we do it to ourselves?
How to be happier Tip #5 Be the change
I know we hear this a lot. “Be the change you want to see,” but it’s such a simple message that I think any of us could get.
it’s the change you want to see
What would make the world a better place? I can think for one, if we were all just a little kinder to ourselves and others, it would make a huge difference.
There are so many very small things we could do that would have a big impact if more of us did them. from picking up scraps, writing to our grandparents or friends we haven’t seen in years, or buying a colleague their favorite chocolate.
Change doesn’t have to be groundbreaking or newsworthy, often the smallest things make a much bigger positive difference than you realize, it makes you feel good, it makes the other person feel good and it has a ripple effect even further. from this.
You’re Incredible Just the Way You Are: How to Embrace Your Perfectly Imperfect Self by Emily Coxhead is available at buy on Amazon US and in the UK.
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