Who doesn’t want to be happy? Isn’t it the end goal of many to be happy, healthy and successful in life. What if I tell you, the secret behind it is quite easy as The Dalai Lama once said “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your actions.”
So if you feel, that you deserve to be living a more joyful life, here are 8 simple ways proved by science by which you can be happier and the best version of yourself.
1. Eating Healthy Food
Having healthy food not only has a positive effect on your physical health but also your mental health. Healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables or food items having high calorific value have proven to increase long term happiness.
Fast foods and food rich in fats also enhance your happiness but only for the short term.
So stop binge eating and start eating your veggies for a happier life.
2. Exercising
Studies suggest that even a low amount of exercise ( just 10 minutes a week) can have a significant effect on your mental health.
Exercising helps in increasing blood flow and forms new neural pathways. It helps in the release of Serotonin, Testosterone, and endorphins all of which increase your happiness level.
3. Developing A Hobby
A hobby is an activity we love doing in our free time and is not connected to any work commitments like reading, writing, playing any instruments, horse riding, etc.
Hobbies are a great stress reliever and also act as an escape from our routine life.
People having one or more than one hobby are relatively happier than people without them.
4.Taking A Break From Social Media
In this era, where we look at our phone screens constantly and scroll miles on social media only to think it makes us more “social”.
Scientists have found that social media do not help overcome the feeling of social isolation and make the situation worse, thus evoking the feeling of loneliness and sadness.
If you spend hours scrolling through your feed, then maybe it’s time to take a break and have more face to face interaction with people.
5.A Good Night’s Sleep
We are always advised by our elders to have 7-8 hours of sleep, here’s the reason why!
Less than 6 hours of sleep can increase your chances of being depressed by 5 times and also contribute to your anxiety level.
Less sleep makes us cranky, affects our productivity and also our relationships.
So, to be happy and more efficient, all you have to do is sleep.
6.Spend Time With Your Pets
Having pets and spending time with them is a great way to overcome social isolation. They enhance your mental health, have a positive effect on your self-esteem and are a great support system.
So, if you are a pet lover this is probably one of the best ways to fight depression and loneliness.
7. Positive Approach
Being optimistic not only makes you more sociable but also have many health benefits.
It helps you to fight chronic diseases and also increase your longevity.
Optimism has also been linked to high serotonin levels which is the happy hormone you need to maintain to fight against depression.
8. Taking Pleasure In Small Things
Small things are big things that contribute to a major portion of your happiness. A random phone call from your old friend, your favourite song on the radio, making someone laugh, random compliments you receive are all small things that brighten up your day. All you need is to focus on these small packets of joy.
Inculcating these simple tricks will make your life more cheerful and healthy, so what are you waiting for. Be the happier version of yourself and live your life to the fullest!