11 Ways to Increase Your Happiness

11 Ways to Increase Your Happiness

We’re all different. And different things will make different people happy.

There’s no “one way” or “secret” to happiness, But there are a number of ways to increase your happiness and I suggest you give all 11 outlined in this Psych Central article (by Sian Ferguson) a go …

Increasing happiness might seem like a big task — but sometimes, a simple activity can have a profoundly positive impact on your mood.

It’s not always easy to know what will make you feel happier, especially when you’ve been feeling down for a while.

Whether you’re looking for a quick mood boost or are hoping to implement positive habits, you might benefit from trying some science-backed ways to increase your happiness.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Make sure your basic needs are met

Before we get into the fun activities, let’s talk about your basic needs.

Your mood is directly affected by factors like sleep and food. To give your brain the foundation it needs to feel happy, you need to be fed and well-rested.

If your mood is low, try asking yourself:

  • Have I had enough sleep?
  • Have I had a nutritious meal recently?
  • Did I drink enough water today?

Often, you might feel moody without realizing that it’s because you’re tired or hungry. In that case, increasing happiness might be as simple as eating, taking a nap, or having a glass of water.

You can read about evidence-based ways to improve your sleep here.

2. Get creative 

When did you last take time out of your day to do something creative just for fun?

You can use art to express and process your emotions or as a fun hobby that simply brings you pleasure. Creative activities may even help soothe symptoms of depression.

Doing something creative can bring you a sense of achievement and boost your self-esteem.

You might find that one of the following creative hobbies brings you joy:

  • dancing
  • collaging
  • coloring or sketching
  • embroidery, crocheting, or knitting
  • digital art
  • writing fiction, poetry, or songs
  • baking or cooking
  • pottery
  • gardening
  • beading
  • playing an instrument

And if the end product isn’t a masterpiece, that’s totally fine. Your creative output doesn’t have to be “good,” just good for you.

3. Start a gratitude practice 

Taking time to reflect on happy moments, good things that happened in your day, or people you appreciate in your life can be a welcome mood boost.

Remembering good times can lend some helpful perspective when you’re feeling down, serving as a reminder that good times exist and your low mood won’t last forever.

One way to cultivate gratitude is to try writing down what you’re grateful for regularly. This can take as little as 5 minutes a day.

Researchers in a 2019 clinical trial of 1,337 participants found that writing a daily gratitude list for 14 days might increase positive emotions and boost feelings of satisfaction.

Similarly, researchers in a 2021 review found that “individuals who experience more gratitude have lower levels of depression” and suggested further studies should look at how gratitude could help with depression.

Consider getting into the habit of writing down what you’re grateful for. You can also try saying it out loud to yourself or a loved one…

… keep reading the full & original article HERE