Simple Ways to Bring More Happiness into Your Day
Hey, swell fam! I hope everyone is doing well and finding time in your busy day to enjoy the simple things in life. But, not to worry, if you haven’t been able to find the time, I got you! I recently watched, The BBC Reel Guide to Happiness, where experts in the study of happiness spoke about happiness and ways happiness could be achieved. I thought you, dear friends, would be interested in some of the key takeaways on how to bring a little more happiness to your day.
Focus on experiences and less on things
According to Professor Laurie Santos, a Professor of Psychology, Yale University (and host of the Happiness Podcast), one of the challenges with improving our wellbeing stems from how our brain disassociates between what we think we "want" (all the stuff) and what we will actually enjoy/like (meaningful pleasure). Sadly, this is how our brains are wired. It's also why studies have found that people who chase money, expensive cars, that fancy job titles, and material things were less happy than those who focused on more meaningful experiences and wellbeing. Neuroscientist, Psychologist and author, Professor Lisa Feldman Barrett refers to this type of happiness as the happiness that comes from 'meaning-making.' It involves focusing on being their best selves, living a more meaningful life, and being of service to others (giving back to help make someone's life more meaningful).
People who focus on the experiences they like and that bring meaningful pleasure rather than on the wants and instant, temporary gratification tend to be happier. Sometimes we get caught up in our habits – that we do things because we are used to doing them or that this is the way things have always been done so, we do it that way.
Think About What Stories You Tell Yourself
Paul Dolan, Professor of Behavioural Science, London School of Economics suggests, that it might be helpful if we take a step back and examine the narratives we tell ourselves about ourselves, and how we 'should' live. He suggests that we might want to consider, the following questions:
What are the stories we’ve created?
If something you’re doing is neither pleasurable nor purposeful, then ask yourself why are you doing it?
How are we using our time? Do an audit.
Stop Comparing Your Life to Others
We often get caught up in the comparison and judgment game without realizing how this negatively impacts us and the stories we create for ourselves. I love social media, but I've caught myself falling into that comparison trap so many times. You know, where you look at someone's perfectly curated posts and believe that their life is as perfect as it appears in those squares or 15-second videos. We keep scrolling even when it makes us feel bad about ourselves or at least we feel like we are lacking somehow.
Dolan says, it's in recognizing those moments and taking a step back to look at the situation. You need to examine how you are feeling and why. Doing this he posits, can be a helpful step towards changing the narrative. We can then focus our time and energy on the things that matter most to us, the things that are good for us and that might make us happier in the long term.
Be Intentional About Being Happier
You know that old adage, ‘good things come to those who wait"? Well, it isn't at all helpful where our happiness is concerned. When it comes to happiness, it's more like 'happiness comes to those who are intentional about seeking it out and making it happen regularly.' It's a bit wordy, but you know what I'm getting at. We do have some control over finding the things/experiences that truly make us happier. We just have to be deliberate and consistent in our actions to bring those experiences about more often.
7 Simple Ways to Bring More Happiness into Your Day
Here are some more of the practical tips shared by the happiness experts on how to be more intentional about being happier in your every day:
Getting good sleep - good quality and quantity
Get up and get moving with regular exercise (bonus: get outside and enjoy the wonder of nature)
Be more present - calm your busy mind with 10 minutes of meditation
Prioritize social connection by spending time with family and friends
Do something good for others
Take small mindfulness breaks throughout your day - enjoy the small things.
These are just some tips. Ultimately, as Prof. Feldman Barrett says, you can "figure out the things that work for you and then make sure you budge those into your day, every day."
Use your time to do more of what matters to you. Just remember it won’t come easy or naturally. It requires us to work at it every day, but even small steps and small amounts of time will make a difference in improving your overall health and wellbeing.
Cassandra is a 9-to-5er and when she’s not at her full-time gig, she’s tapping into her creative superpower as a lifestyle content creator and photographer. Her experience with career burnout has turned her into a wellness warrior who knows the power of healing through slowing down and finding calm in everyday with mindfulness, self-compassion, humour and realistic optimism.
Follow her for some inspiration on Instagram: @swaggerandgreys