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It is normal for us to seek happiness. Why not? Happiness can lead to good things in life including health physically and mentally. It begins with certain lifestyle changes. The quest for seeking happiness can be traced back to the ancient times.
Today, the quest to seek happiness is still a top priority. However, happiness seems elusive. These days, we are witnessing chaos such as obesity crisis, financial stability and even safety of the people due to wars and conflicts.
Fortunately, the quest to seeking happiness does not depend on external factors. As a matter of fact, happiness begins from within through lifestyle changes. On the other hand, a lot of people are still depending on external factors such as money, sex, reputation, etc.
5 Lifestyle Changes For Happiness
Here’s a good news, achieve happiness and good health with these five lifestyle changes you can make starting today.
Although these lifestyle changes require persistence and practice, in the end, it’s worth the effort you put in it.
51. Show Compassion and Reach Out
Helping others are excellent precursor to happiness, health and longevity.
In 2011, one study1 finds that practicing compassion provides lasting happiness and self-confidence. If you don’t have any idea how to begin developing and practicing a sense of compassion, start doing regular exercises and meditation.
One study2 says doing these things are helpful. In addition, the researchers say that a hedonic treadmill, which is a theory that proposes people to feel happy regardless of the current situation.
42. Making Friends and Social Connections
Another way to achieve lasting happiness is making social connections. In other words, connect with your friends very often either personally or through social media.
As a matter of fact, being with friends is one of the highest fulfillment in life. True friends are always there for whether you’re happy, or unhappy and hopeless.
On the other hand, isolating yourself creates loneliness, which is obviously a clear opposite of happiness. Furthermore, solid social connection with friends, colleagues and family members or even business associates is good for heart health.
33. Make Laughter a Habit and Encourage Others
One study3 finds laughter is contagious. The good thing is that when you laugh, you’ll feel good, which is a sign of happiness.
The more you laugh, the more you encourage others to do so and even make more friends. And guess what, making more friends is linked to happiness.
24. Practice Gratitude
Being grateful is one of the most amazing habits for achieving happiness. Notice those little things around you and be grateful to them. Harvard talks about a study on how giving thanks can lead to happiness.
5 Ways To Cultivate Gratitude
Here are five ways to cultivate the habit of being grateful.
- Writing a Thank You note
- Be Thankful to someone mentally
- Have a gratitude journal and do journalling daily
- Count your blessings no matter how small and insignificant they are
- Prayer and meditation
15. Regular Exercise
The habit of exercising regularly particularly doing full body workouts has many health benefits. Among the long-term benefits of exercise include;
- Boosting nitric oxide production
- Maintain motor skills on older adults
- Boosts sex drive with a Viagra-like effect
- Improves cognitive functions and maintain youthfulness
These are just a few of the many health benefits of regular exercise. All of these are linked to achieving happiness. You don’t have to have a gym membership to exercise. Do simple exercise at home like walking or running.
Moreover, rebounding exercises like trampoline exercise and jumping rope are just as beneficial. Even weight lifting or resistance training is beneficial for fighting anxiety.
All of these benefits are linked to health and longevity, and eventually, to happiness. In one study4, the researchers find that physically active people are healthy and happy.
The frequency with which people physically move throughout the day, even if that movement is not rigorous exercise, is associated with both physical health and happiness. The current research reveals the important connection between physical and psychological processes, indicating that even slight changes in one have consequences for the other.
At the end of the day, always keep in mind that you should begin your quest for the search of happiness from within yourself. Hence, begin implementing these lifestyle changes right now and reap the long-term benefits including lasting happiness.