Happiness in everyday life might seem a wishful thinking for many. But even if so, it could be turned into a prolonged reality because happiness is a choice, not an option. There might be so many events and situations that can affect your feelings. But they can affect you only and only when you ‘Let them in’.
Let’s look at the definition of “Happiness”. It is defined as the state that involves positive emotions, inner peace, satisfaction and contentment. As long as you can hold on to these states without letting any negatives get a doorway to you, you’ll experience happiness.
So, what can you possibly do to ensure happiness in everyday life? How can you increase that happiness level? How can you remain in that positive state of wellbeing for long?
Find out these answers on today’s International Happiness Day Special blog!
Background of International Happiness Day
The International Day of Happiness is celebrated worldwide every year on March 20. It was founded by Jayme Illien, CEO of the New World Order project of the UN. Initially, he founded and conceptualized the idea in 2006. On July 12, 2012, the General Assembly of UN recognized the importance and relevance of happiness as a universal goal and proclaimed March 20 to be the International Day of Happiness. Finally, the very first International Day of Happiness was celebrated on March 20, 2013.
The day is celebrated to highlight the idea that happiness is an important and fundamental human goal. So, we must strive for achieving happiness in our lives. It also acts as a reminder for all the countries to create a balanced and equitable economic growth that ensures poverty eradication, sustainable developments, wellbeing, and happiness for all, irrespective of any kind of discrimination.
How to Attain Happiness in Everyday Life?
You might believe success is the key to happiness but it’s also the other way round; happiness is the key to success. Life is too short to remain depressed and miserable. So, if you’re running short of ideas for how to remain happy, follow these tips!
Celebrate Every Little Victory
In order to ensure happiness in everyday life, you need to form the habit of celebrating every small win of yours. These wins could be anything like doing good in a presentation or interview, scoring good marks in an exam, achieving something which isn’t that significant to others but means a lot to you etc. These are the things that you pretty much forget to notice and celebrate. The only things you notice are the ones where you made mistakes.
Focusing only on the mistakes make you feel dissatisfied and unworthy. So, ignore the habit of getting sad about your mistakes and keep on motivating yourself with your constantly achieved small wins.
Heal from the Past
You can never be a happy person as long as you keep on ruminating about your past mistakes or any painful memory. Be forgiving to yourself. Otherwise, negative emotions and negative experiences will keep on acting as barriers to your joy. Allow yourself some time to heal from all those past mistakes and embrace a new future that awaits you. That is how you attract happiness in everyday life. And if the need arises, don’t hesitate to seek out the help of therapists or counsellors. It’ll be worth it in the end.
Practice Charity
“We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give”
Winston Churchill
This quote reflects that being charitable and generous makes our life complete as we evolve from the state of earning to the state of giving. Researchers have found that, it is this practice of charity that ensures a long-lasting happiness in everyday life and promotes our personal growth.
Besides, charity helps you develop positive traits and characteristics in yourself and gives your life a new meaning. It also widens your mindset as you start seeing the world from other people’s perspectives-their hardships, pains and struggles.
Now, if you’re thinking that charity is only about helping others with finances, then you’re wrong. Because charity is also about giving your time and efforts to someone, offering kind and non-judgmental words, providing mental support to someone during his/her times of distress and so on. So, start practising this habit from now and soon you’ll see the difference!
Make Someone’s Day
If you truly want to attract happiness in everyday life, try forming this habit regularly. Set a goal of making at least one person happy each day. When you make other people smile and feel good about themselves, your status is elevated in front of your own eyes. This results in inner contentment and satisfaction.
Besides this, as an added advantage, you’ll get these people by your side who will care for your happiness in the same way as a means of reciprocity. Also, do remember to start this practice right from your home! Your beloved parents and other family members should be your number one priority in this case.
Express Gratefulness with What You Have
Gratitude could be termed as one of the many secret ingredients for happiness in everyday life. It is strongly related to positive emotions and inner fulfilment. When you’re happy with what you possess, you’re already blessed than many.
Because a lot of people fail to recognize the blessings they already have in their lives. This creates a sense of incompleteness in their existence. So, instead of looking for what you don’t have, start counting your blessings! And most importantly, be thankful for that.
Connect with Nature
Research shows that spending time in nature can boost your mood and lessen your anxiety. So, if you’re a total workaholic person who only keeps on commuting between work and home, you better change it!
Start doing some aerobic exercises in the open air or go for a morning/evening walk or visit the park with your children. Looking at the greens and breathing fresh air will remove a greater portion of your stress, will increase your productivity level, and in return, will make you a happy human being.
Never Envy Others for Their Success
Feeling envious is a part of human nature. It’s sad but true that there are countless people who want to feel happy for others but end up feeling the opposite. In order to be happy, you must never let envy and jealousy breed inside you as you notice someone succeed in their life. Remember that everyone has their own timing for success. Celebrate and rejoice in their success with them. Your time will come too!
Keep on Expecting Happiness
No matter how hard life gets, always expect happiness. Believe that you deserve contentment and joy in every single day. Have faith that no matter how hard life hits you, you still can ensure happiness in everyday life with your optimism.
When you start expecting positive things, it will give you a purpose and a clear focus on achieving that happiness. Therefore, you’ll become more efficient in your efforts toward leading an enjoyable life.
“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the universe”
Marcus Aurelius
Our Concluding Words
Happiness is subjective and abstract in nature. It varies from person to person depending upon their mindsets and perceptions. Instead of looking for happiness, try to build that mindset and perception, which finds happiness in the simplest things. When you are grateful for what you have and focus more on giving rather than taking, you attract happiness.
So, on this International Day of Happiness, make a commitment to yourself that you would try your best to keep yourself and everyone around you happy and smiling. And that you would stay away from all sorts of negative acts and be thankful with the blessings you’ve got. That is when you truly start growing….
“For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness”
Ralph Waldo Emerson