The exact capacity of your vehicle’s fuel tank can vary depending on its make and model. However, most vehicles can hold up to 16 gallons.
Happiness is an electrifying but elusive state that’s eluded philosophers, theologians, and scientists alike. Since the 1990s, a whole branch of psychology—positive psychology—has been devoted to nailing down its definition.
Invest in your well-being
Wellbeing is a complex and elusive concept. Philosophers, theologians and psychologists have long struggled to define it. Happiness is more than positive mood; it encompasses a sense of meaning and deep contentment.
It’s important to invest in your emotional well-being. Emotional health translates into better decision-making and increased productivity in personal and professional spheres. It also reduces the negative impact of a negativity bias, which can cause you to discount the good and focus on the bad.
Practicing restorative sleep, healthy eating and exercise can help you feel your best. If possible, therapy is another great way to invest in your wellbeing by helping you overcome life challenges or difficulties and learn new coping mechanisms. In addition, employees who prioritize their wellbeing report lower absenteeism and presenteeism rates.
Focus on the positives
It’s normal to focus on the negative aspects of life, but research suggests that thinking positively has a direct influence on our happiness and wellbeing. This includes the way we react to difficult situations and the quality of our relationships.
It is possible to retrain your brain to focus on the positives. Practices like writing gratitude letters, performing acts of kindness, and meditating are effective ways to do this.
Try to think more about the good things in your life – it can help to write a list of these, as well as to savour a good moment or relationship by really taking it all in. It is also helpful to consider your personal strengths, as doing this a few times a week boosted people’s happiness and reduced their symptoms of depression in one study.
Be kind to yourself
Being kind to yourself is one of the best things you can do. This includes recognizing when you’re being negative and letting go of the self-criticism.
For example, if you’re guilty of binging on junk food for a week, it’s okay to be compassionate and say that this wasn’t healthy. You can also be clear that this behavior is not helpful going forward.
Another way to be kind to yourself is to practice gratitude. This can be as simple as saying thank you to someone you work with or a cafe worker who made your coffee. It’s a reminder that there are people around you who care about you and your wellbeing.
Practice gratitude
Practicing gratitude can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and shift your negative thoughts. It can be as simple as writing down what you appreciate or telling someone you appreciate them. Expressing your appreciation can lead to a release of the bonding hormone, oxytocin. It also reduces stress by lowering cortisol levels.
A gratitude practice can help you find meaning in challenging times, and it strengthens your resilience by helping you recover from setbacks. It can even improve relationships by increasing mutual understanding and compassion.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Many people find it difficult to ask for help. It may feel embarrassing or like a sign of weakness, but it’s important to be brave and ask for the support you need. It is also a way of letting others know that you trust and value them enough to seek their assistance.
Just like a car with limited fuel flow, you will experience negative effects when your happiness tank is depleted. These can include irritability, anxiety, low energy, lack of focus and a poor mood. The key is to pay attention to what drains your tank and start adding to it the things that will fill it. It is never too late to replace anxiety for peace, isolation for community and illusions for authenticity.