There’s a direct link between happiness and how we look and feel about how we look. Simply, the happier we are often the healthier we are.
For instance, how many of us tend to eat a full double pack of Jaffa cakes when down in the dumps? There’s definitely a link between these sorts of negative behaviours and how we feel and one generally breeds the other, until a cycle is formed. So, logic would suggest that cure to a lot of problems is simply, happiness.
However, happiness doesn’t just happen. As philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote in the 1930s, “Happiness is not, except in very rare cases, something that drops into the mouth, like a ripe fruit. … Happiness must be, for most men and women, an achievement rather than a gift of the gods, and in this achievement, effort, both inward and outward, must play a great part.”
In short, we have to strive to be happy and make it one of our goals. Happiness takes effort, it takes time and it takes choices. So, let’s look at how you can help create happiness.
Strategies
When we decide to be happy, we need to choose to make ourselves happier. One of the best ways to do this is to identify negative thoughts and to challenge them. For instance if a person annoys you, then you can decide on whether to overthink it and build up a case against that person in your mind or ignore it and just let it be. Building such cases is a sure fire way to damage relationships and is a destructive strategy. Choosing the alternative will help with happiness.
Gratitude
Bitterness and a lack of satisfaction is one of the most damaging things we can do. An alternative is to be grateful and it’s simple. All you have to do is, think of things each day that you are thankful for and you promote gratitude and happiness.
Negative Thoughts
These are the things that destroy your happiness. Your mind is extremely powerful and dictates much of what you do through the subconscious. One psychologist compares it to a man riding a strong beast like an elephant. Though the beast is strong the man can exert control through doing things to refrain it and using if for his own positive needs, just as you do when you control negative thoughts.
The key thing here is to learn to recognise and control the negative. This can be helped through breathing exercises, yoga and meditation. By challenging negative thoughts you can help eradicate them.
Travel
Why not see more of the world, it’s a great way to give you perspective on how fortunate you are and what you have going for you. For instance, why not see Australia – AMEX travel Australia will help if you need advice.
Friends
Friends create happiness, so spend time with people and take joy in their joys and provide them with happiness in return. Studies show that people with larger networks of friends live longer than those that have fewer friends.
Be Active
Do things that you love, that get you in the flow and that absorb you. When people are absorbed in something they are generally happy. Challenging yourself helps you grow and fosters happiness – so be adventurous and take up that pastime you always wanted to, it will make you happier than anything else.