What Does It mean to live a happy life?
Before we jump into the list of 21 ways to live a happy life – let’s understand a little more about what this actually means. Living a happy life can mean different things to various people, but it usually boils down to feeling content and secure in your daily life. Finding joy in the little things, having meaningful relationships with family and friends, and taking time out of each day to appreciate what you have are all important steps towards leading a happy life.
When researchers measure happiness, they often ask people to fill out questionnaires, in which the individual rates how they are feeling. This means the score is based on the individual’s assessment of their own happiness. Making the measure of happiness – subjective! Meaning their level of happiness is based on their inner world, or how they are feeling on the inside.
Due to the subjective nature of happiness, it is important to live a life in which we are enjoying ourselves and experiencing positive emotions more often. And this is something that we can actively work towards achieving. We can literally cultivate more positive emotions, which in turn will lead us to live a happy life! Ok, so let’s explore 21 ways to live a happy life!
Here are 21 ways to live a happy life.
1. Show gratitude – Make sure to express your appreciation for those around you who bring joy into your life. Appreciate the small moments that make up everyday happiness such as a cup of coffee or a walk in nature.
2. Spend quality time with loved ones – Whether it’s talking over dinner or taking part in an activity together, spending quality time with family and friends brings a sense of contentment and connectedness.
3. Laugh – Find joy in the little things, watch a funny movie or TV show, spend time with those who make you laugh, and don’t be afraid to find humor in life’s challenges.
4. Get moving – Exercise helps to release endorphins which can improve mood and energy levels. Make sure to get some physical activity each day such as taking a walk outside or doing yoga at home.
5. Create balance – Set boundaries with work, take breaks throughout the day, limit technology use if it’s causing stress and anxiety, prioritize self-care activities that bring you pleasure such as reading a book or listening to music.
6. Learn to be present – Being mindful and living in the moment allows you to appreciate each day, rather than worrying about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. Practice mindful activities such as yoga, meditation, or journaling.
7. Get adequate sleep – It’s important to get a good night’s rest for both physical and mental health. Try to establish a consistent bedtime routine that helps you relax before going to bed each night.
8. Cultivate relationships – Make sure to foster meaningful connections with friends, family members, and even acquaintances through meaningful conversations and shared experiences together.
9. Find your passion – Passion can bring purpose into life which is often linked to overall happiness. Do something that you enjoy or have been wanting to learn, even if it’s just in your free time.
10. Take care of your health – Eating a balanced diet and staying active can reduce stress levels and keep your body functioning optimally. Make sure to get checked regularly by a medical professional as well.
11. Give back – Volunteer with a cause that is meaningful to you or donate money/time to an organization doing important work in the community or internationally. Giving back can bring joy into your life while also helping those less fortunate than us.
12. Celebrate accomplishments – Don’t forget to recognize yourself for all the hard work and dedication you put into things, whether it’s related to career, school, or personal projects.
13. Create a positive environment – Make sure your home and workspace are free of clutter and filled with items that bring you joy. Try adding plants for an extra touch of nature to the atmosphere.
14. Take a break – Sometimes it’s important to step away from our everyday lives in order to recharge and reset ourselves mentally and emotionally. Go on vacation or take some days off from work if possible in order to make the most out of your break.
15. Develop relationships with nature – Spend time outdoors whenever possible; going for a hike in the woods can be very rejuvenating while also connecting us with the natural world.
16. Spend time alone – Taking time to be with yourself can help you reset and take a break from the daily hustle of life. Use this alone time for reflection, creative pursuits, or just to relax and practice self-care.
17. Practice yoga or meditation – Taking part in these activities allows us to connect with our inner selves on a deeper level which can bring peace of mind and emotional calmness into our lives.
18. Forgive yourself – Learn how to accept mistakes as learning opportunities rather than beating yourself up over them; it’s ok not to be perfect all the time!
19. Find purpose – Discover what drives you in life, such as a career goal, an ambition, or even a simple hobby. Having purpose gives us reason to wake up each day with motivation and enthusiasm.
20. Enjoy the small things – Life is made up of many moments that pass by too quickly; take time to appreciate them for all their beauty. Focus on the little joys such as good food, sunsets, and laughter with friends!
21. Connect with yourself at the soul level. Find ways to develop a relationship with the creator. You might like to start by getting out in nature; talking to the creator in prayer; and reading your religious text.
If you want to live a happy life – taking care of yourself is first and foremost!
Stay mindful of your needs and focus on being present in the moment; this will help you make the most out of life!
Thanks for reading 21 ways to live a happy life!
I hope this list of ways to live a happy life was helpful and gave you some ideas on how to bring more joy into your life. Remember: when looking for ways to live a happy life – take time to appreciate the small moments and make sure to stay mindful of your needs. Focus on things that make you feel good mentally, physically, and emotionally, so that you can make the most out of your life each day.
Staying present is a huge part of cultivating ways to live a happy life! And this is way a mindfulness practice can be so helpful for improving our wellbeing. If you feel you need help learning mindfulness, in order to help you establish ways to live a happy life, we have an amazing and affordable online course available to help you not only grow your own personal mindfulness and meditation practice, but also discover the science of oneness. Moreover, the course will also help you learn how to share mindfulness with your own children. Please follow the link if you would like to know more about this amazing journey.
Mindfulness Course For Adults – With Family Orientation – Kotus Rising
When we think about ways to live a happy life – we may also want to consider who we are living with and how we may be able to help them too. So, if you are looking for ways to live a happy life – and you have teenagers! – give this article below a read next 🙂
20 ways to share mindfulness with teenagers – Kotus Rising
You may also like to join me via my Facebook Page – KOTUS Rising and if you have other ideas for way to live a happy life, please share them in the comments of my Facebook Page.
Wishing you all the best in finding ways to live a happy life! Good luck and enjoy every moment!
Kind regards
Elizabeth Mulhane