How To Develop The Habit Of Happiness

There is scientific evidence to support the fact that people are healthier, feel better, and perform better when they are happy. So why are we so miserable? Why can’t we be happy all the time if being so is good for us?

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” We often overlook the responsibility of being happy. We enter relationships with the idea that our partner will make us happy. We believe that happiness is earned or deserved. We sometimes look to the future to bring us happiness rather than in the present. Happiness is actually a habit that can be developed.

Here are a few tips to help you create happiness as a habit in your life.

Smile at least 3 times a day. Here is a simple thing to do every day whether it is to smile at yourself every day in the mirror or at somebody. A happy looking person is approachable. You are projecting your happiness to others and you will attract likewise happy people.

Act friendly towards others. It takes very little effort to say hello to a friend or co-worker especially with a smile. If you really want to take this to another level, say hello to a different stranger every day.

Consider a news blackout. This is a hard one especially for news junkies. We are bombarded every day via television, radio, Internet, newspaper, etc. with negative news stories. Over time, we become conditioned to accepting misery as the norm.

Be less critical and a little more tolerant of other people. One thing to understand is that when you are critical of someone else’s behavior, you are actually critical of you’re own behavior. This may be something you don’t like about yourself. Understanding that “It takes one to know one” is the key to becoming more tolerant.

Be optimistic and less pessimistic. There are always two sides to every story and there is always a different way to look at every story. Keep in mind that it is too easy to take the negative route.. Looking at the positive side is a different and better habit to get into when digesting a story.

Learn to take emotion out of the equation. Have you ever gotten into a heated discussion with a friend realizing later that the discussion didn’t have to be heated in the first place? Once to feel yourself getting angry, back off and realize that whatever the other person is telling you is only an opinion and that’s it. Things you hear on the news, stories you hear from people, gossip, etc. are not worth getting all worked up about.

Is there anyone in your life that you are in conflict with? Are you holding a grudge? Many times the conflicts are misunderstanding that are easily resolved once you are willing to talk about it. I would highly recommend that you make a list of everyone you are in conflict with and contact them to talk and end the conflict.. It will be good for your soul.

After a few weeks of practicing, you will begin to see and feel a boost in your self image and the way others respond to you. Your see how a few small changes in the way you think will make a big difference in your life The Habit of Happiness is a springboard to a more fulfilling life.