Make Happiness a Practice in 2024: 10 Mindful Habits
“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”
Growing up, I always thought happiness was something that happened to you. I was happy when people gave me gifts; when my friends invited me to play with them; when I received an award from school. As an adult, I spent many years trying to make those same events happen so I could continue to be happy. At some point, I got tired of it all because, truthfully, the amount of work for that type of pursuit was making me unhappy. That was when I came across the powerful idea of choosing happiness, as a decision. I realized then happiness is a commitment — it is a practice I would have to adhere to in order for it to last and expand.
Ironically, everything we strive for in life is ultimately for the sake of happiness, yet when it comes to everyday decisions, choosing to be happy is low on the list.
So what does it mean to “choose happiness”? To me, choosing happiness means making the best choice with what you have in any given moment that brings you the most amount of joy. And what brings someone joy will vary from person to person.
Our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are the building blocks of happiness — we are here to enjoy life, and we cannot do that if we are depleted. In addition, creating and maintaining happiness lies in the little things we do every single day and not in the elaborate gifts and fancy displays. Here is a combination of small healthy habits as well as scientifically proven biohacks to keep you lifted and looking forward to the next day and beyond.
1. Laughing
Whether you choose to stream a comedy series or just make fun of yourself, find a way to bring laughter into your life every single day. It is a scientific fact that laughter produces happy hormones such as endorphins, serotonin and oxytocin that give you a sense of overall well-being.
If you are deeply spiritual like I am, you might already know that genuine laughter raises your vibration and keeps negativity away. Laughing with others is an uplifting bonding experience, and attracts more happiness into your life, naturally. When you’re happy, other happy people will find you, too.
So if a sense of humor comes with your personality then consider it a great asset and tool for happiness. If you are more on the serious side, not to worry, our world provides plenty of ways to induce laughter, so be sure to schedule a dose of laughter into your life every day.
2. Eating healthy
It’s hard not to include eating healthy on this list because your mood, happiness and overall energy level have a direct link to what you eat.
Healthy eating is highly individualized and doesn’t necessarily mean you need to become vegetarian or vegan. You can simply make a mindful choice of a healthier option vs. an unhealthy option when deciding what to eat. If you drink plenty of water and traded in one frozen entree for a freshly prepared meal a day, you would have improved your gut health and your happiness quotient. Pay attention to how you feel after you eat and let your body tell you what makes you happy.
3. Moving your body
Whether it’s a high intensity workout or a stroll in the park, keeping your body in motion is guaranteed to keep your energy flowing. Countless health benefits result from the simple act of just moving your body every day, such as stress relief, enhancing the immune system and improving mental health.
When you feel healthy and energetic, you will naturally feel good. Your overall quality of life will elevate and a bigger capacity for happiness can be created.
4. Playing
Our society is too obsessed with being “cool” and has forgotten how to have fun. We were all born to know how to be playful in all sorts of creative ways, until we were told over and over again to behave in certain ways in order to be taken seriously.
Allowing ourselves to be silly and playful has many layers of benefits in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Engaging in playful activities is just as important for adults as well as children. Creating a space to play relieves stress, enhances creativity and brings you closer with those you play with, as well as enhancing your self-worth.
5. Recognizing all your accomplishments
Big or small, anything you have accomplished deserves to be noted. I once had a discussion with a coworker about the importance of acknowledging small accomplishments and he asked: “Well, I changed a lightbulb yesterday. Does that count?” My answer was yes, it does. He could have put off the task but he didn’t. Changing the lightbulb made his environment a little brighter and things easier to see, and that is worth acknowledging.
In our modern world, we tend to only recognize big accomplishments such as job promotions or earning a degree. The small things that make up a good life are often overlooked, but they are just as important, if not more so.
A good life is rarely lived just accomplishing one great thing, but often lived doing a bunch of little good things every day. Even if you are not where you want to be in your life yet, keeping track of what you’ve done often helps you see how you spend your days where you are headed. This may not seem like a pleasurable activity but it will bring you a sense of self-appreciation and keep you motivated.
6. Expressing yourself
We often stop ourselves from expressing what’s inside because we are afraid of being judged. But self-expression is key to healthy emotional release, fostering intimate relationships and empowering personal growth. Without a healthy dose of self-expression, your authentic self would feel trapped and unknown to the outside world.
Self-expression can take many forms such as singing, dancing, painting, writing, speaking, even playing sports. It is translating the energy created by your feelings and emotions into a form that can be seen or heard. It is a joyful and powerful way to allow yourself and others to embrace your existence.
7. Accepting the present as is
Accepting the present as it is may not be an obvious choice when it comes to happiness, but it is actually a grounding experience that keeps you connected to reality. It is also a deeply spiritual practice that will teach you to stay calm and neutral regardless of what is happening.
My favorite definition of stress says, stress occurs when we want the present moment to be different than what it is. When we fight with reality, we usually lose.
By accepting the present as is, you will become more clear in what ways you can respond and start to see options. This way the best choice for happiness is available to you.
8. Making someone else happy
Seeing someone else happy because of you will most likely make you happy too :) The smallest gesture from you can brighten someone else’s day. Sometimes, it’s helping someone in need, others, it’s as simple as saying “you look great in that color.”
Being able to spark happiness in someone else is also empowering. It will renew your own sense of joy and purpose, and connect you to other human beings. In fact, it can be the quickest way to make a new friend. If ever for one second you feel powerless, making someone else happy will immediately boost your self-worth and remind you what it means to be human.
9. Consuming positive information
In the age of streaming and social media, we have access to an overwhelming amount of unfiltered information, and not all entertainment, information and knowledge are good for your mental health and overall happiness.
If you want a positive and happy mind, then you might want to absorb positive and empowering information that feeds your mental health. Remember, information to your mind is like food for your body, so be mindful of the shows you watch every day, the media channels you follow and whether or not they contribute to your happiness.
10. Giving up control and expectations
Finally, allowing things to just be is sometimes the best ingredient for happiness. When you let go of the need for things to be a certain way, you allow nice surprises to come into your life, and they may surpass all your expectations.
When your space is cleared of judgment and expectations, there will only be peace and contentment left to fill. As the saying goes, the universe will give you what you need but not what you want. By giving up your expectations, you also allow what you need most to come into your life, and that is often what will make you happy in the long run.
