Like so many
other blog posts and YouTube videos I've seen on the topic I could tell you
that the key to happiness is in the smell of a new mac lipstick, a Diptique
candle and a Lush bath bomb. Although, if I did that, all you'd get is a list
of things that make me "happy", not things that are actually conducive to happiness in general.
Today I'll be letting you in on some trade secrets and showing you how you
can achieve actual happiness (without buying a thing!)
I say “trade
secrets” but the information I’m giving here is no secret, thanks to those
clever people at the New Economics Foundation this information is out there in
the world for all of us to find. Let me condense it a bit for you.
The theory
(and evidence) goes that there are 5 things you can apply to your everyday life
which will improve your overall wellbeing and make you happier, at work I call
this “the 5 ways to wellbeing” here, I’ll call it “how to be happy” because I
like to mix things up like that. So, let’s get right into it.
Connect
The people
in our lives make up so much of how we feel about life. When we don’t feel good
it’s so tempting to lock yourself away and isolate yourself. Connecting with
others is crucial to a strong overall wellbeing. It doesn’t have to be too
intense, just reach out, make that phone call, arrange that night out and spend
time with people you love.
It only
takes a minute: Send a text to a friend you haven’t seen in a while without
overthinking it. You want to know how they are, maybe you even miss them – just
say that.
Take notice/be mindful
Have you
ever walked a familiar route and seen something that’s been there forever, but,
you’ve just never noticed? Me too! We’re
all so busy that sometimes it can feel like time is just running away with us.
It’s really surprising how much difference it can make to your mood just to
take notice of what’s going on around you. So go about your usual routine, just
look around, see things you’ve never seen before and pay attention to how you’re
feeling.
It only
takes a minute: Download “Calm” the free meditation app and take notice of the
simplest things.
Give
Giving feels
good. You don’t have to give money either (although you could!). You can give
someone your time, advice, knowledge or simply attention. It’s easy, you get
goodness from it and so does somebody else what’s not to be happy about?
It only
takes a minute: Thank someone for something they’ve done that you appreciate,
even if it’s just the guy in the corner shop who’s always so smiley.
Be active
As an inherently
lazy person when it comes to exercising, I wish this one wasn’t true, but, it
so is. The benefits that exercise can have to your wellbeing go way beyond being
able to justify that extra biscuit because you’ve spent an hour in the gym. Since
I’m not a huge exercise fan I recently brought a pretty bike that tricks me
into exercising when really I just need to get to work. There’s also the
classic “get off the bus a stop early” you’ll be surprised how much difference
it makes!
It only
takes a minute: challenge yourself to see how many sit-ups you can do in a
minute. Tomorrow, do it again. Or you know, just get off the bus a stop early!
Keep learning
Learning something
new is the ultimate confidence boost and a great way to challenge yourself and
your comfort zone! If you end up attending that workshop or going on that
course, guess what? You’ll probably meet some like-minded people to connect
with, bringing this whole thing full circle.
It only
takes a minute: find a YouTube tutorial for that thing you’ve always wanted to
learn – even if it is just how to achieve Adele’s perfect winged liner.
So, there
you have it, 5 easy things you can do to increase your overall happiness. Think
of these less as “life hacks” with instant results but more like lifestyle
choices. The more you incorporate these things into your everyday routine, the
stronger your overall wellbeing and the happier you will be.
In this
crazy-busy world we live in, take some time out to look after yourself and prioritise
your own happiness, as you can see above, happiness is just 5 minutes away
(sort of.)
Have you tried any of these things? What are the easiest ways you can incorporate the 5 ways into your everyday routine?
Great advice. Thanks Della.x
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