It’s often said that happiness is a state of mind, but what exactly do happy people do to cultivate and maintain that state?
In this article, we’ll unveil the top 10 things that happy people always do, but rarely discuss.
As we delve into this list, it’s important to remember that happiness is subjective and different things work for different people.
But by understanding the underlying principles and techniques used by those who are consistently happy, we can all gain valuable insight and inspiration for our own lives.
So join us as we explore the hidden habits of the truly content and discover how we can all find our way to a life filled with joy and fulfillment.
1) Set and maintain healthy boundaries in relationships
“Your boundaries are a reflection of your self-respect.” by Dr. Henry Cloud.
By setting boundaries, people signal to others what is acceptable and expected from them, and also it shows how much they value themselves.
This is important because when boundaries are not set, it can lead to feeling resentful, taken for granted, or mistreated in a relationship.
And when people are not able to maintain their boundaries, it can lead to feeling powerless or disrespected.
Maintaining healthy boundaries can be challenging for some, but it is a key aspect of maintaining positive relationships and personal well-being.
2) Forgive and let go of grudges
If you have ever experienced holding onto a grudge, you may have noticed that it can be a heavy burden to carry.
It can weigh on your mind and emotions, causing feelings of anger, resentment, and even sadness.
Happy people understand that holding onto grudges and resentments can be detrimental to their well-being, and they make a conscious effort to let them go.
Forgiveness is not always easy, it takes courage and humility, but it can be a powerful tool for promoting inner peace and happiness.
When you forgive, you release yourself from the grip of negative emotions, and it allows you to move on and make peace with what happened in the past.
By letting go of grudges and resentment, happy people are able to free themselves from the past and focus on the present and the future.
3) They engage in activities they enjoy
Now, I want you to hang on a minute and think about it.
Are you doing things that you genuinely enjoy?
Engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment is a key component of happiness. When you enjoy what you are doing, it brings a sense of satisfaction, which in turn leads to positive emotions.
Happy people make sure to incorporate activities they enjoy into their daily lives, whether it’s a hobby, creative pursuit, or simply leisure time.
This allows them to de-stress, relax and find a sense of balance in their lives, which is essential for maintaining overall well-being.
By doing things they love, they are able to build a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their lives, which can be a key component of happiness.
4) Give back to the community
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” by Mahatma Gandhi.
This quote highlights the idea that by serving others and helping to improve our community, we can also find a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our own lives.
Giving back to the community can come in many forms, such as volunteering, donating to charity, mentoring or tutoring, or simply being a good neighbor.
People who engage in acts of service, kindness and compassion tend to have a more positive outlook, feel more connected with the world around them and are more fulfilled. Helping others can also have a powerful impact on mental and emotional well-being, allowing individuals to feel a greater sense of purpose and happiness, it also encourages perspective-taking, fostering empathy and compassion feelings.
Additionally, volunteering and helping others can improve overall well-being, physical health, and mental health.
Studies have shown that people who volunteer regularly tend to have lower rates of depression and higher levels of life satisfaction.
5) Reframe negative thoughts and emotions
Imagine that you’ve just received negative feedback at work.
A negative thought that may pop into your head is “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never succeed in this job”.
These thoughts can lead to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt.
But with the skill of reframing, you can change the way you perceive the situation. Instead of focusing on the negative feedback, you can focus on the areas that you need to improve and see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
This change in perspective can help to decrease negative emotions and increase positive ones.
This is a skill that happy people often employ to maintain a positive outlook on life.
It’s a technique that allows people to change their perspective on a situation, making it less negative and more manageable.
6) Try new things and seek new experiences
The lessons and concepts you are taught in school are critically important, but they don’t provide a complete picture of the world or all the possible experiences it has to offer.
Happy people are open to new experiences and try new things because it helps them to continue learning and growing beyond the boundaries of their formal education.
Seeking out new experiences allows them to learn about different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life.
It also helps them to develop new skills, form new relationships, and gain a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them.
This keeps them engaged, curious and open-minded, which can promote overall well-being.
Additionally, by engaging in new activities, they can also discover new passions and interests, which can give them a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Moreover, being willing to take risks and step outside of their comfort zone can help to build resilience and self-confidence which are vital for overall well-being.
7) Practice stress-reduction techniques
Happy people know that life can be stressful, but they also understand the importance of managing that stress in order to maintain their well-being.
They practice stress-reduction techniques, whether it’s through meditation, yoga, exercise, or simply taking a walk in nature.
They understand that when stress builds up, it can have a detrimental effect on their mental and physical health, and that’s why they make a point to prioritize stress reduction in their lives.
They know that in order to truly thrive, they must find ways to quiet the noise of everyday life and focus on the present moment.
By implementing stress-reduction techniques into their daily routine, they are able to navigate through challenges with a clear and calm mind.
They are the masters of their own emotions and the captain of their own ship.
8) Appreciate nature and beauty around them
The beauty of nature has a way of taking our breath away.
It has a way of reminding us that life is bigger than us, and that there is something special and truly awe-inspiring out there.
It is something that happy people always take the time to appreciate.
They look for it in the grandeur of a mountain range, in the simplicity of a single flower, in the sound of birds singing, in the warmth of a summer sun, and in the coolness of a misty morning.
They seek it out in the natural world, and they find it all around them.
They know that when they take the time to appreciate nature, it fills them with a sense of peace and contentment that is hard to come by anywhere else.
They appreciate the beauty of the world around them, knowing it soothes the soul and brings peace to the mind.
A small act that brings them much happiness, they keep it as their own little secret but cherish it deeply.
9) Practice self-compassion and empathy towards others
Like so much else on this list, practicing self-compassion and empathy towards others is something that happy people always seem to embody.
This ability to understand and accept our own imperfections while also showing compassion and understanding towards others, is truly something special.
Happy people recognize that being compassionate and empathetic is a sign of strength and courage, not weakness.
It is an acknowledgment that we all make mistakes, that we all struggle, and that we all need support and understanding.
By extending this same compassion and empathy towards others, happy people create deeper connections and build stronger relationships.
It’s not always about seeking perfection, but about growth and self-improvement.
When we are able to be kind and non-judgmental towards ourselves, it comes more naturally to extend that same understanding and acceptance towards others.
10) They are autonomous and independent
Nothing has a greater impact on each of us than our ability to direct our own lives.
And one of the hallmarks of happy people is that they are autonomous and independent.
They take charge of their own destiny, make their own decisions, and chart their own course in life.
They don’t rely on others to tell them what to do or how to think. Instead, they trust in their own abilities and inner wisdom to guide them on their journey.
Happy people understand that true freedom comes from within.
It doesn’t come from external sources or external validation.
It comes from being true to oneself and living a life that is authentic and true.
And so they make a conscious effort to cultivate their independence, to break free from the shackles of conformity and societal expectations, and to live their lives on their own terms.
Now it’s your turn to take action and incorporate these practices into your own life.
The greatest gift you can give yourself is the gift of happiness.
Start small, try one of the things on this list and see how it makes you feel, you may be surprised by the difference it can make in your life.
But remember, this list is not a magic formula that guarantees happiness.
The true magic is within you.
Happy people are not born, they are made.
They are made by the actions they take and the choices they make. The power to change your life is in your hands, take the first step today.
