Live a Happier Life with These Practices by Reesie Jineeva

Happiness and wellness go hand-in-hand. A recent study from the Association for Psychological Science found that those who were subjected to psychological interventions, with the aim of boosting happiness and well-being, have reported improvements in their physical health. The interventions encouraged participants to identify their personal values and strengths, regulate their emotions, cultivate gratitude, and nurture positive social interactions.

You can also lead a happier and healthier life following these practices. Here’s how.

Count your blessings

Probably the most overlooked means to happiness is by counting your blessings. This simple act will help you feel grateful and grounded. If you want to turn it into a habit, SymptomFind recommends starting a gratitude journal.

Its contents do not have to be comprehensive. Just spend a few minutes each day listing down things you are thankful for and happy about, even the ones taken for granted, such as home-cooked meals, a random compliment, or family time. When you have a tangible reminder that life is still good, you will be happier.

Meditation

If you want to start your day happy, take 10-30 minutes to meditate. Meditation can calm the mind, allowing you to focus intentionally and create supportive habits and behavior. As you  take deep breaths and relax your body, physical tension and stress will be relieved, helping you connect with your body, mind, and spirit. You can even listen to soft music or guided meditations to aid the process.

Happiness is, after all, a state of mind. Most of the time, it is likely just buried under a heap of unregulated thoughts and emotions, which meditation can help you clear. 

Be present

A 2017 article from CNN once reported that being compassionate, or feeling kindness toward what others are going through can make you a happier person. After all, it invokes warm feelings and allows you to build meaningful connections. One way you can nurture your sense of compassion is to be present at every moment.

Put down your phone and be fully aware of the people you’re with when you eat meals or hang out. Make eye contact, observe their body language, and listen without interruption. This doesn’t only increase your bond with them but also teaches you to exhibit kindness and understanding toward others instead of judgment.

Build meaningful connections

As social beings, humans have the innate need to build and maintain interpersonal relationships. However, that does not mean simply accumulating more acquaintances and business partners. You also have to consider the quality of the relationships you have.

Reach out when your loved ones need help; spend time together even when there’s nothing tangible to be gained. By focusing your efforts on spending time with people you trust and are trusted by in return, you will feel a sense of belonging, which eventually leads to feelings of security and contentment. Plus, you will make other people happy in the process!

You might not immediately sense a dramatic shift in your mood by doing these practices, but you are providing yourself with the opportunities to live a happier life. You just have to take it one step at a time.

Exclusively written for The Neurosculpting Institute

      Ressie Jineeva

Ressie Jineeva is a work-at-home freelance writer who’s super obsessed with jazz music. She likes to read and cycle whenever she has the time. Ressie Jineeva is also the proud owner of a five-year-old retriever named Eris.