Typically, the majority of happiness-boosting techniques we discover in life need a significant amount of effort to put into practice. In order to succeed in your career, you must first put in a lot of effort and years of schooling. In addition to taking a long time, these methods don’t always make us happier (or the increased happiness doesn’t stay very long). It takes years of meeting people and connecting with them to find someone special.
There are, however, also what we may refer to as “shortcuts to happiness”—activities that, if done, can instantly and noticeably improve our mood. They immediately uplift our mood. The issue is that many of the widely used shortcuts either don’t work very well (such as checking your Facebook account often) or work in the short term but ultimately do more harm than good (for example, consuming lots of alcohol). The good news is that there are tried-and-true methods for achieving happiness that have been amply supported by both scientific and psychological evidence. These techniques are effective, and they work well for just about everyone.
1. Practicing Gratitude
Those who are happy and sad will always coexist in surroundings that are fairly similar. For instance, there are wealthy individuals who are content as well as wealthy individuals who are not. Poor individuals experience the same thing. It appears that their amount of thankfulness, rather than how their life appears on the outside, is what makes them unique. Happy individuals know to appreciate life as it is and are thankful for everything in their lives, no matter how minor. This is what consistently makes people feel happy. By consciously cultivating gratitude, you can experience the same good feelings and be content with your life.
It’s completely possible to appreciate life as it is while working to make it better at the same time, therefore this does not indicate that you will cease wanting to improve your life. How can you develop your gratitude? Look at your life several times each day and make an effort to find the positive aspects of it. Let yourself to truly realize that you might not have had those things to begin with and that it’s great you have them now as you do this.
2. Being Present
Being present is keeping your attention on what you’re doing and the surroundings you’re in rather than daydreaming or becoming lost in your thoughts. It refers to living in the present moment completely. The intriguing thing is that we suddenly feel at ease and joyful when we are fully present and allow reality to fill our senses. Our issues vanish, our concerns recede, and we are left to simply enjoy reality. This is only one of the numerous benefits of learning to live “in the moment.”
The fundamental guidelines for being present are straightforward: while engaging in a particular task, you switch your attention from internal to external; you concentrate on the activity and the setting, letting go of thoughts that pull you out of the present moment. For instance, it may be easier to daydream or focus on your troubles when you’re walking down the street, therefore this is a fantastic opportunity to practice this method. Turn your focus outward and take in the sensation of your body and the earth beneath your feet as you move from one step to the next. Take note of the people and the buildings you pass by. Take in the sounds that are all around you. When you fully engage in this sensory experience, you are being present.
3. Helping Others
Psychologists have long recognized that humans have a deep, compelling need to contribute to something greater than ourselves. We desire to better the world and the lives of others, and when we accomplish these goals, we are content. In addition to the fact that helping someone makes us feel good in and of itself, we will feel even better if our efforts are rewarded with their gratitude or friendliness. Fortunately, there are always opportunities to lend a helping hand. That is therefore a workable shortcut to happiness.
You have two options right now: either you go out and buy a wonderful gift for someone in your life and give it to them, or you visit the website of a charity and donate money to support a cause you care about. There are plenty of chances to lend a hand, therefore I urge you to do so whenever you can. You may be sure it will make someone else’s day as well as your own.
4. Physical Exercise
Most people who regularly go jogging, exercise, dance, or play any kind of sport would tell you that these activities make them feel good. They usually leave you feeling calm, collected, and satisfied for hours. This is due to the fact that all of these hobbies revolve around physical activity. As you exercise your body, your mind causes the release of chemicals that will ultimately improve your health. They also instantly improve your mood; endorphins are an example of your body’s inherent feel-good chemical.
Physical activity is one of the best things you can do when you’re feeling low. You’ll feel much better right away. Of course, it’s always a good idea to also pinpoint and address the root reasons of your unfavorable emotions, but this process can take some time. It is really helpful if you can fast improve your mood so that you can assess the issue more clearly and look for the best solution. This is why I urge you to incorporate physical activity, whichever kind you are most likely to love, into your daily schedule because the rewards are incredible.
It’s not necessary to put off finding happiness for a very long time. It’s a fallacy that you must have a certain lifestyle in order to be happy. By employing straightforward, time-proven techniques, you may be joyful right now and take pleasure in every single day of your life. I’m confident that if you put these effective shortcuts to happiness into practice, you’ll see outstanding results.