Happiness is an electrifying, elusive state. Philosophers, theologians, psychologists and economists have long sought to define it. One whole branch of psychology, positive psychology, is dedicated to pinning it down.
Some object that life satisfaction doesn’t suffice as a definition of happiness because other things, like achievement and knowledge, matter for well-being.
1. Invest in yourself
One of the most important investments you can make is in yourself. This doesn’t necessarily mean starting a business or buying a home, but rather taking steps to improve your health, knowledge, stress levels and overall well-being.
This can be as simple as choosing to listen to an audiobook on your commute instead of listening to music or even decluttering your personal space. Or it could be as ambitious as finding a coach to help you reach your goals.
Investing in yourself will create a positive domino effect that benefits your health, happiness, and future success. People often have the misconception that investing in themselves is selfish, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The new skills and perspectives you gain can actually benefit those around you as well. For example, if you invest in a life coach, you may learn new strategies that can help your business thrive or perhaps even help your close friends with their own struggles.
2. Practice gratitude
November is the month when many people start thinking about what they are grateful for, and it’s a great time to practice mindfulness of your blessings. In fact, studies show that just one act of gratitude can decrease stress and increase happiness and a sense of well-being for up to six months.
Practicing gratitude shifts your focus to what you have instead of what is lacking, which can reduce the tendency to feel envious or resentful toward others. It can also help you understand others better, as evidenced by a recent study that found that people who regularly express gratitude have increased gray matter volume in the right temporal lobe of the brain, which is associated with interpreting emotions.
Try counting your blessings or writing about what you are grateful for when you wake up in the morning. Practicing this can also help you get a better night’s sleep by reducing worry and brain stimulation before bed, and boosting your parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you relax and rest.
3. De-clutter your life
Decluttering can feel like a huge undertaking, but it’s important for reducing stress and making room for what is most important in life. Being surrounded by clutter increases stress, makes it harder to be productive and decreases overall quality of life. It’s also not good for your health, causing stress and contributing to sleep issues and unhealthy eating habits.
Clutter can also be a sign of an underlying emotional issue or anxiety. If you notice a pattern of clutter, it may be time to make an appointment with your therapist to address the root cause.
The benefits of decluttering go beyond physical space – it helps you to get a clearer picture of what matters most in your life and be intentional about the things that you bring into it. For example, do you really need more picture frames?
4. Take a break
We all intuitively know that taking breaks, from a quick walk in nature to spending a few minutes without your to-do list, is good for us. Studies have shown that a short break can improve your productivity and performance by lowering your stress, which then allows your brain to reset.
In addition to reducing your stress, effective breaks have been found to be beneficial for cognitive functioning and mood. These benefits can be achieved by a relaxing activity or a social break such as chatting with a friend, both of which have been found to promote positive well-being.
Eyal suggests that breaking for activities that engage your creative and visual right brain is the best way to give your PFC a rest while still feeling productive. That could mean drawing or doing a puzzle, for example. However, you need to find the activities that work for you and your life. It’s worth experimenting with different types of breaks until you find one that fits the way your body and brain work.