Having good quality relationships, work on one’s personal values and having enough money to live comfortably are all important aspects of happiness. Psychologists use several different terms to describe happiness including life satisfaction, well-being, flourishing and eudaimonia.
Many people may be surprised to learn that hedonic pleasures, or day-to-day pleasurable experiences, are not the only predictor of happiness.
1. Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself is a critical part of happiness. It allows you to recharge and to be your best self for the people and projects in your life that matter most to you. It also helps to prevent mental health issues and physical illness, which can be made worse by stress, poor sleep, or an unhealthy diet.
It can be tempting to say yes to every request or to put your own needs last, but this only leads to burnout. You can’t give to others if you are emptied and starving. Learn to say no, and be confident in your decisions.
Self-care is not selfish, but it is putting your own health and happiness above all else. This allows you to give to the people in your life who need you most. Think of the oxygen mask advice you hear on airplanes – put your own mask on first, then you can help those around you.
2. Take care of others
Cultivating children’s care for others is important because it’s right and good, and because people with strong relationships are more successful in life. However, overextending yourself is not helpful to anyone. You cannot save everyone and constantly hovering over people robs them of the opportunity to learn from their experiences and to grow as individuals.
In addition, overextending yourself can negatively impact your health. Try to make sure you take time to relieve stress through activities such as talking with friends, taking a walk, exercising, praying or meditating. Also remember to get enough sleep! A good night’s rest helps you be more attentive and caring with those around you. Research shows that happiness is contagious up to three degrees of separation, so you can share your positive mood with your friends and their friends’ friends.