Want to Be Happier? Follow These 7 Life-Changing Habits
Happiness is not a mood, but a practice. Let’s be honest, quite often we are searching for joy from big things—a vacation, promotion, relationship, or else—but lasting happiness is derived from small habits, done consistently. These 7 steps are backed by the scientific method and lived by many. Want to Be Happier? Follow These 7 Life-Changing Habits
Want to Be Happier? Follow these 7 life-changing habits on the way to your next goal, or simply struggle to feel better day to day. We hope you get something from this article.
- Starter Each Day with Gratitude
Gratitude is more than just a mindset shift; it can literally change the wiring of the brain to help you be more positive! The scientific literature in positive psychology shows that regularly recognizing what we are grateful for contributes to more optimism, better sleep, and a positive impact on our immune response.
- A simple technique for starting:
- Keep a notebook (or journal) on your nightstand.
- Each morning or before you go to sleep, write down three things you are grateful for.
- Be specific: “I’m grateful for my friend Sarah, who took time to connect with me today!”
2. Move Your Body—Even a Little.
You may not have much you can do to get yourself to feel better, although you might not even need a workout program. Some simple movement—stretching, walking, or even dancing while you prepare your coffee—can help you feel better. When you move your body, you send a signal to your brain by releasing chemicals in your brain that lift your spirits—serotonin and dopamine!
Here’s a simple way to create movement in your life:
Find something that you already do, such as brushing your teeth, and after that, do five minutes of movement by stretching or even step outside for a quick lap around your yard or block. You might not feel like it at the time—but those few minutes of movement over time will start to add up and you’ll see a difference in how you feel.
Think of it as making a daily mood deposit for your future self!
Want to Be Happier? Follow These 7 Life-Changing Habits
3. Foster Meaningful Connections
Individuals who feel connected to others have higher life satisfaction with less anxiety and depression.
Try this:
Call a friend instead text.
Build a weekly “connection ritual,” for example:
Sunday lunch with family or a mid-week coffee call.
“By far the most important predictor of a happy life is meaningful relationships” — The Harvard Study of Adult Development
4. Establish Intentional Goals
Setting goals provides direction to your life. It gives you a purpose for wanting to wake up.
Strategy:
Use the SMART model:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound
For example, instead of “I want to be fit,” try “I’ll walk 30 minutes after dinner, 5 days this week.”
5. Take Part in Mindfulness or Meditation Mindfulness
can help limit the endless noise in your brain. Many studies show that Mindfulness promotes lower levels of cortisol (stress hormone), improved concentration, and better regulation of emotions.
Want to Be Happier? Follow These 7 Life-Changing Habits
A simple exercise:
You can try the “5-4-3-2-1” method.
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can touch
- 3 things you can hear
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
Recommended apps:
Headspace
Calm,
Insight Timer
6. Limit Negative Information
What you consume can affect how you feel. News saturation, toxic social media, and gossip can deter your thinking without you being aware.
Want to Be Happier? Follow These 7 Life-Changing Habits
What to do:
– Set daily limits to social apps (maybe try 30 minutes per day)
– Curate your list: eliminate any energy-drainers and follow any creators that inspire you
– Stop watching the news right before bed
Suggested Browser Extension: News Feed Eradicator (eliminates social media noise)
Want to Be Happier? Follow These 7 Life-Changing Habits
7. Offer Yourself the Same Kindness You Offer To Others
Being human means accepting that some days don’t go as planned—you’ll fall short, feel off, or simply struggle. This is not failure but simply called “being alive.” The goal in life isn’t to be perfect, but instead to be kind to yourself.
A simple daily reminder:
“I am doing my best – and that is absolutely enough for today.”
You can do this:
Talk to yourself the way you would talk to someone you love deeply. Choose grace instead of guilt. Allow yourself to rest without guilt and acknowledge even the tiniest victories in your day, yes simply getting out of bed or brushing your teeth on a bad day is worth some acknowledgment.
The way you talk to yourself dictates everything else. May it be kind.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Feel Good
Happiness isn’t a destination—it’s a way of life. It’s built through moments, not milestones. Want to Be Happier? Follow These 7 Life-Changing Habits
“The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They make the best of everything they have.”
