Like the way a vehicle’s fuel tank is important to the overall function of the car, happiness is an essential part of well-being. Having a full tank could mean the difference between feeling calm and satisfied or being thrown off balance by outside factors beyond your control.
Traditionally, researchers have focused on what psychologists call pathology-the study of negative mental states such as depression and anxiety. This approach, however, has risks.
1. Fill up your tank with positive thoughts
Whether it’s an emotional challenge, a big loss or a sudden change in your life, if your tank is already low, navigating these events can be challenging. Getting to know your energy tanks and learning how to refill them can help you handle any situation with grace, resilience and strength.
Boosting your happiness involves filling up your tanks every day with positive thoughts, activities and practices that promote calm. These include meditating, spending time with loved ones, moving your body (as exercise increases serotonin), practicing gratitude and focusing on the good in life.
Try playing with the language of clean fuel and dirty fuel, as this will help you get in touch with your positive reasons for wanting something and also helps lower stress hormones and build stronger immune systems and relationships. Making these things part of your daily routine will ensure you are ready to take on whatever life throws at you, with a full tank and a smile.
2. Enjoy the journey
Happiness isn’t just about the finish line, it’s also about the journey. Taking time to enjoy the small and big things you have in your life, learning from each experience and cherishing each moment is what makes up happiness along the way.
We all know the cliche “enjoy the journey.” But it is important to remember that this is not easy! Having daily routines, being grateful, choosing joy and setting realistic and attainable goals are just some of the ways to enjoy the journey.
If you’re constantly comparing yourself to the people around you on social media, it can be hard to enjoy the journey. But by practicing gratitude, staying in the present, focusing on your health and wellness, enjoying your relationships and setting realistic and attainable goals you will start to see that the journey is actually pretty amazing! Then when you finally reach the end of your goal or dream, you will be able to appreciate it.
4. Reach out to a therapist
Like a car that runs out of gas, our emotional energy needs consistent care and refueling. Happiness plays a major role in this process.
People high in happiness experience less pain and have a stronger immune system (Fredrickson, 2004). They trust more easily and exhibit more caregiving behaviors that reduce stress hormones and increase oxytocin levels. Oxytocin is a key component in a healthy relationship and can even decrease the likelihood of infidelity (Carver, 2015).
If you are struggling to feel happy, reach out for help! A therapist can provide an unbiased perspective and offer healing strategies that will help you generate more positive emotions. If you are ready to get started, SonderMind can make it easy for you to find a therapist near you who can help. We look forward to seeing you on the road to a happier life! Thrive Wellness Reno Outpatient Clinical Lead & Therapist Lynn Carver, LCSW.