6 Things That Happy People Do Every Day

Ever wonder why some people are just so happy all of the time? It seems that happy people have a different way of looking at the world and everything in it, and a different way of doing things. Happy people exude happiness because they do act differently than unhappy people.

 

 

If you’re feeling blue today or any day, there are ways to change your thinking and behavior to increase the happiness in your life.  Take a minute to let go of those unhappy habits so you can start to feel the effects of those habits that can lead you to happiness.

Unhappy people are often envious of others. They compare themselves to others and as a result, they covet what the other person has; be it success or material items, social status or economic worth. Comparing yourself to someone you feel is on a higher plain than you only causes your self-esteem to sink even lower, thus making you even more unhappy. Instead of being envious of others, try to focus on the your own accomplishments, the things you can be grateful for, the hurdles you have jumped over, and your own personal growth.

 

People who are unhappy are often surrounded by negativity. Perhaps you are a pessimistic person, or maybe people around you are dragging you down. If you constantly hear negative opinions about life and other issues, you too will become negative. If you’re already a ‘Negative Nellie’, then you’ll be worse for the wear. If you look at things in a negative light, you most likely view life as largely unhappy, full of fear, or even dangerous.

 

Just as the negative perspective of others will drag you down, your own negative mood will make those around you unhappy as well.  Instead of focusing on the negative, you need to look at things in a more realistic way, accept that all situations may have a downside but understand that they often have an upside as well. Don’t dwell on the negative, instead, make a move and change it into something positive.

All of us have stressors in our daily lives, but it is how you deal with stress that can make you truly unhappy. If you spend a ton of time worrying and brooding about situations, nothing positive can happen. All of that negative energy eats away at your insides and causes you to feel physically ill. As you look at the world in a more and more negative light, you'll start to act in ways that make others treat you badly. Learn how to take things in stride, clear you mind and put things into perspective so that you can take action. Try exercising or mediating to get those feel-good juices flowing, gather your thoughts and take on stress in a more productive way.

Many unhappy people find themselves constantly reliving old memories. These memories may be those of struggle or often are of missed opportunity. On the other hand, you may find yourself worrying for the future and imagining a million different ways that everything could go wrong. This type of thinking leads to a lack of presence and a fear of change. You may be so worried about your future and so busy reliving your past experiences that you become stuck and afraid to make a move to change aspects of your life. Just because things may not have worked out before does not mean that life is going to be that way again. Try to stay in the moment and focus your energy there. By putting yourself out there once in a while, you may be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Unhappy people often think that an accumulation of “stuff” will make them happy.  You may try to fill the emptiness with things, be it food, possessions, alcohol, or people. Oftentimes, unhappy individuals believe that happiness can be bought or consumed, when really it has to come from within. Stop waiting for something to make you happy, things may come to you but that false happiness is quickly gone. True happiness has to be developed through your thoughts, feelings and actions.

Expressing gratitude for the good things in your life — and you can nearly always find at least a few — will bring you a deeper sense of happiness. If we are not thankful for what we have, then it is impossible for us to be truly happy. If you are appreciative of the things that you have in your life, the value of those precious gifts goes way up. So give thanks for even the smallest of life’s treasures and don’t forget to smile.

 

A little positive thinking goes a very long way. People who have achieved success in their lives will always find a way to look at the bright side of a situation. If things don’t seem to go your way, don’t think of it as failure, buy see it yet as an opportunity to learn and grow from the experience. Looking at life as full of boundless opportunity will keep you optimistic even in tough times. Remember that tomorrow is another day and another chance to get it right, brush off the negative thoughts and start fresh. You can practice optimism even if you're not naturally optimistic. It will get easier every day.

 

Believe it or not, engaging in a random act of kindness actually discharges serotonin in the brain, so that happy feeling that you get from doing something nice is not only physical but chemical as well. If we are kind to others and pay it forward, not only do we feel a sense of happiness, but so too do the people who have witnessed or received the selfless act. Serotonin is released in their brain just by being a bystander. Interestingly, many antidepressants are prescribed to boost serotonin levels in the brain…cscore one for kindness!

Holding on to hurt feelings and anger is not only a happiness killer but it’s no good for your body. Negative feelings can be detrimental to your immune system. Our minds cannot decipher between emotions from the past and those in the present, so when you hold on to anger, your body takes a toll. When you’re brooding over anger or hatred, it ruins your day. Forgiveness means resolving your anger, letting go of resentment and moving towards healing and peace. Remember, forgiving someone doesn't mean you condone their actions. It just means letting go of the anger and hate you feel.

When we decide to do something in life, whatever it may be, once we commit to doing whatever it takes to achieve our goals, amazing things can begin to happen. Committing to a goal and not taking no for an answer can actually give you a sense of happiness. Once we resign ourselves to the fact that there is no other option, we tend to find our true purpose and work even harder to get there. That is because we all need a sense of purpose, and committing to something offers one.

Taking care of your body and mind is a great way to ensure happiness. If we are physically fit we have more energy and that energy transfers to the mind and the sprit. Exercise is a great way to feel good. Physical exertion releases chemicals in the brain that give us a sense of euphoria. Regular exercise increases our happiness from the inside out. Additionally, getting in touch with your spirituality can also boost happiness. Feeling as though there is a power greater than ourselves out there can give us a greater sense of connectedness to the world.

If your life seems challenging at times and you feel a sense of unhappiness, try to gain a new perspective. Making small changes to the way you think can help you to become a happier person. You may be surprised to find out that there is much more to you than you once thought and that a little positivity, determination and kindness goes a long way.