How to be happier

Re-write your story

Behavioral scientists have spent a lot of time studying what makes us happy and what doesn't. We know that happiness can foresee health and longevity and that happiness scales can measure social progress in a society. But happiness is not something that happens to you. Everyone has the power to make small changes in our behavior, our environment and our relationships, that can help shape our path to a happier life.

Let's look at some suggestions that one can practice in order to achieve happiness.

Brain

Happiness often comes from within. Learn how to tame negative thoughts and approach each day with optimism. Most people tend to ruminate on bad experiences more than positive ones. It's an evolutionary adaptation - overlearning from the dangerous or hurtful situations we face in life (bullying, trauma, betrayal) helps us avoid them in the future and react quickly to a crisis.

But that means you have to work a little harder to train your brain to overcome negative thoughts. Don't try to stop negative thoughts. Treat yourself like a friend. When you're feeling down, ask yourself what advice you would give to a friend in a similar situation. Now try to apply this advice to you.

Controlled breathing

Scientific research suggests that the benefits of this ancient practice are real. Studies have shown that breathing practices can help reduce symptoms related to anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and attention-deficit disorder.

Rewrite your story

Writing about oneself and one's personal experiences—and then rewriting one's story—can lead to behavioral changes and improve happiness.

Some research supports that writing a personal journal for 15 minutes a day can lead to an increase in overall happiness and well-being because it allows us to express our feelings, notice our difficulties and resolve inner conflicts.

Move

When people get up and move around, even for a little bit, they tend to be happier than when they sit still. A study that tracked the movement and moods of cell phone users found that people reported greater happiness if they had been moving in the last 15 minutes than if they had been sitting or lying down. Most of the time it wasn't rigorous activity, but just a gentle walk that put them in a good mood. Of course, we don't know if moving makes you happy or if happy people just move more, but we do know that more activity goes hand in hand with better health and greater happiness.

Practice Optimism

Optimism is partly a genetic trait, partly a learning process. Optimism does not mean ignoring the objective reality of a difficult situation. Positive thinking, however, and surrounding yourself with positive people really helps. Optimism, like pessimism, can be contagious. So, hang out with optimistic people as much as possible.

Don't forget that the goal of being and feeling happy can be difficult to achieve. Thus, you need to be persistent and patient.

HR. PSYCHOLOGY - TODAY Team