According to research, the single most important predictor of happiness in life is keeping a healthy relationship. But what breeds happiness differs from person to person.
Finding happiness in life is a good thing. For some, it is very complicated; for others, it is easy peasy. But the question is: how do you find happiness in life if you do not know what it is?
In this article, we will discuss the meaning of happiness and how to find it, with helpful tips for consideration. I hope this finds you in good health.
What Is Happiness In Life?
They say life is unfair, and so it is. How is life going with you? Imagine if you woke up in the morning and felt good, did your morning routine, and got off to work. You get the best welcome at work with smiles and do the needful activities for the day. You return home after work and do what you should; rest for the day and repeat. How would you feel? Happy?
Happiness is a state of being happy. To be happy is to feel cheerful, joyful, and contented. In other words, to feel blessed. Happiness is a condition of the soul or a feeling brought about by good fortune, a relationship, or a pleasant event with positive vibes.
The word life refers to the period or space of time in which one lives on Earth, and happiness in life refers to the experience of blessedness while one lives in this world. As a living being, my heart desires to live happily, and I think that is the desire of everyone who lives. I am less likely to be wrong on that one, haha.
How do you find happiness in life? Before we look at that, let us consider where happiness comes from. Have you ever thought about that? The fact is that people have different sources of happiness, and many times, what makes one happy does not work for another.
However, there are simple things that share happiness across different groups of people. According to this 1938 Harvard research from 724 participants, the common source of happiness in life is keeping positive relationships. They make you healthier and happier and bring about long life. That is compared to exercise, employment, healthy diets, and more. But they are all important.
How To Find Happiness In Life
One thing I have learned in life is this: loneliness kills, but that does not mean people do not come out of it. The problem is the misery that comes with it. I have lived most of my life in solitude (I think), so I know what I am saying.
Happiness is available for anyone who searches for it, but if all you do is wait for it, you may never find it. Let us see how to find happiness in life.
Be Grateful
Usually, you may hear that you have to express gratitude. But you see, if you do not have gratitude, you cannot express it. Being grateful is a virtue that comes from inside out, but it must be inside first, or you would be faking it.
Life will not always look so great, but you can find something worth being grateful for. One of which is the fact that you can sleep and wake up. You can walk, talk, see, and feel. You have life; that is the embodiment of hope for the betterment of the future.
Appreciate the contributions people make to your life no matter how small, take their inclusiveness as a privilege and their exclusiveness as a learning, and do not let the wrong overwrite the right.
Socialize With People
I know that people are afraid of being hurt by other people and choose to hurt themselves by isolating themselves from others, including family members (for some people).
There is no true happiness in isolation, but you will find unhappiness there and may have to cope. Sometimes, people adapt to such habitat till it becomes a part of them, but they exist in a different world.
This human world is a social world. We relate both physically and virtually. And if you want to find happiness in life, you must join the trail. Make friends with like minds, connect with other people, chat, joke, help one another, and appreciate other people.
People make people, and happiness is found, built, and shared together. And we gather together to feel the effect of the happiness we share. Therefore, it is necessary to socialize with family and friends if you are searching for happiness.
Reflect On Yourself
Sometimes, you never know how friendly life has been to you until you reflect on yourself. Self-reflection is a practice of mindfulness where you consider the past, present, and future. In doing so, you will find out your wrongdoings, right doing, and the right steps to take and decide what to do next.
Interestingly, self-reflection can help you discover your identity, develop your abilities, and bring forth the happiness that lies in the soul. You will be happy to find something unique about yourself through self-reflection.
Try A Little Kind
There is a song that reads, you’ve got to try a little kindness, show a little kindness, and shine your light for everyone to see. As simple as the lyrics may sound, there is something you should do to find happiness in life.
If you have ever done something good for someone, shown kindness, or given someone a hand, you know they show how grateful they are to you. But that is not all; you feel satisfied that you were able to support that person however you could. That is it! Happiness is in the little acts of kindness we show people, especially those who need help and cannot help themselves.
Set Goals And Achieve Them
Setting goals is important in your search for happiness, and achieving them brings the fullness of joy to you. Write down what you want to do, especially the most important ones, with a timeframe, and walk towards them.
Achieving your goals in life helps you grow personally and improve your overall well-being. When that happens, you will find happiness in the fact that you can make things happen and experience the result of your hard work.
Set goals, pursue them, and remember that you may make mistakes, fail, and then have to try again. I would have to say, do not give up because your happiness depends on it, and do not push it too hard on yourself because you have to experience this happiness alive.
Tips For Finding Happiness In Life
You can be happy today and become unhappy tomorrow. That is me being fair there. The truth is that you can be happy one moment and sad the next moment. But as I have noted, happiness in life is in the little acts of kindness shown not only to other people but to yourself as well.
Here are some tips to help you achieve happiness in life. I will list them for you.
- Sleep adequately.
- Smile as much as you can.
- Be positive-minded about life and surround yourself with positive-minded people.
- Do what you can, and be at peace with yourself.
- Worry less and celebrate more.
- Always remind yourself that you are enough.
