How much did you smile or laugh yesterday?
Happy people are everywhere, smiling, laughing, singing and just enjoying life and you may wonder how they can be so happy.
Happiness is different for everyone. The foundation of happiness is your satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment in life.
Are you happy?
The very nature of happiness involves positive emotions as you go through your day.
What you may not realize is that your happiness has a direct effect on your emotional and physical health.
You can make healthy choices with eating and exercise, but if you’re not happy, you’ll struggle to see any positive change in your health.
Your mindset determines your happiness and with a few changes you can begin to live a happier more fulfilling life.
Start with these micro-habits that will help you live a happier life.
1.The very first thing you can do is to start your day off right.
When the alarm goes off, take a moment, say “Good Morning” to the day and think of something that you are thankful for.
What is something that you are looking forward to as you get out of bed? Be thankful for a fresh start to a new day.
This little act of being thankful will set the tone for your day.
This is micro-habit of gratitude.
2.Next, be inspired before you begin your day.
Take time to meditate, journal, read an inspirational article, listen to a podcast that inspires you, do yoga or go for an early morning walk or run.
Whether you take ten minutes or thirty minutes, add this little self-care micro-habit to your morning to help you feel positive and ready for the day ahead.
3.Learn to stay in the moment.
Do you find yourself rushing through your morning, bumping into others in the household, saying quick “good morning” and “good-byes” to your family?
Do you drink your morning beverage, eating your breakfast, while scrolling through your social media, checking email, or watching the morning news?
Lay down the phone, turn off the news, and savor the time you have with your family or, if you’re by yourself, savor the calm of the morning. There will be plenty of time during the day for checking your social media and emails or catching up on the morning news.
This is the micro-habit of focusing on the moment.
4.Are you listening?
Can you recall your last conversation with a family member or a friend?
As you go through your morning taking time for gratitude, inspiration, and focusing, you’ll find yourself ready to listen to what others have to say.
We’re so quick to rush around and half listen to what others are saying, we miss those opportunities of bonding.
Put your phone down, look the other person in the eye, and listen.
You’ll give of yourself and others will know that they are important to you. It’s a win-win moment, where you’ll both feel happier.
When you listen, you’ll build greater intimacy and develop deeper relationships with others.
Develop the micro-habit of listening.
5.Take time to rest and recharge
Are you constantly on the go?
You work all the time, your home life is full of activities, your social life keeps your weekends hectic, and there is never enough time to just sit and breathe.
This type of lifestyle is not sustainable, and you will eventually crash and burn.
Your health suffers greatly when you fail to rest and recharge. You find yourself in a constant state of stress, which leads to bad eating habits, irritability, and fatigue.
There is nothing wrong with slowing down, taking breaks during your day and giving your body time to recharge. You’ll find that you will be happier and will accomplish more when you give yourself time to rest and recharge.
Develop the micro-habit of rest and recharge.
6.Are your friends happy people?
You become like the people you hang around with.
You know this is true, so are you hanging around happy people or negative people?
When you surround yourself with happier people, you’ll feel better and you’ll be happier. You’ll also have more energy, more motivation, and will be inspired to have a better day. And, you’ll have less stress.
All from surrounding yourself with happier people.
Develop the micro-habit of surrounding yourself with happier people.
7.Finally, make sure you are taking care of yourself.
Happiness is a mindset, but you may find yourself not feeling so happy when you are not as healthy as you could be.
How well are you taking care of yourself?
From eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water throughout the day, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep; you can improve your health and life with these positive steps.
You’ll find yourself feeling better and happier as you go through your day.
Living a healthier lifestyle is a micro-habit that has multiple benefits.
Seven micro-habits that will help you develop a mindset of happiness. Each micro-habit requires you to be intentional and committed to action. Start with one micro-habit and then build from there. Set a goal to develop a mindset of happiness with a date on the calendar. Then, choose to take daily action toward reaching your goal.
Will you have struggles and fears, yes. But, you will have developed a mindset that will carry you through the tough times with the ability to smile and laugh along the way.
Want to learn how to laugh and play more?
Sign up for my 5-Day Laughter and Play Challenge to learn how to add more laughter and play to your life so that you can achieve lasting health and happiness.