5 Ways To Be Happier More Often

Let's face it, life brings us so many challenges and obstacles that may affect our peace, joy, and overall happiness. During these difficult times in particular, we're battling COVID, rise in unemployment, loss of lives, and trying to adjust to our "new normal". Due to these unfortunate circumstances it's more important now than ever to be in control of your mental clarity, have healthy and positive interactions, and focusing on your overall happiness. We still have children to raise, employees to mentor, family members to be there for, and a beautiful life to live. While it's not always easy, I try to be as happy as I can more often than others so that I can spread joy to as many people as possible during my daily interactions. I'm going to share with you 5 ways you can increase your happiness so that you impact others in more ways than you know. 

A healthy person is a happy person. By creating a healthy lifestyle filled with exercise, activities, and getting out in nature you'll increase your happiness. Some activities you can indulge in includes: yoga, hiking, fitness, walking, bike riding, dance classes, etc. The more active you are, the better your health will be. Not only should your focus be on physical activities, but you have to make your diet a priority as well. When you eat better, you feel better. Taking in nutritional foods like more fruits and veggies will increase your energy as well as decrease your chances of becoming ill or developing ailments that will create suffering in your life. By making your health a priority you will ultimately become a happier person more often. 

I'm a firm believer that meditation creates more happiness in one's life. Meditating is a significant part of my life and aids me in dealing with challenging situations in a calming manner. Meditation builds your patience, mental clarity, appreciation for life, allows you to understand various perspectives, and builds your mental strength. You can choose to meditate for 10 minutes a day or 1 hour a day. You can choose to meditate sitting down or laying down. Whatever your preference is, it's totally up to you. As long as you take time to meditate, clear your thoughts, silence your mind, and focus on growth and understanding, you'll be able to deal with life situations much better. You'll gain more patience and ultimately create a happier aura daily. 

I find that when I'm taking on too much and lacking rest, I begin to feel overwhelmed which affects how happy I am each day. Motivation and determination drives us in a way that shifts our focus on tasks completion. We want to reach our goals at all cost. We live in a society that taught us that hard work pays off, so we sometimes work so hard that it negatively affects our appreciation for the journey. It affects our overall happiness with the success that we're striving for. I'm guilty of this, which is why I'm working on my work/life balance. I make a conscious effort to get proper rest now. I search for activities that are relaxing on my off days because I understand that balance is important. I've found over the last few weeks that I've been more happy when I'm well rested. I recommend that you make rest and relaxation a priority in your life and in a short period of time you'll see your daily doses of happiness increasing. 

One of the fastest ways you can become more happier on a daily basis is to do what you love doing. You want to indulge in activities that make you happy. If you enjoy fishing, make time to go fishing once a week. If playing your favorite sport or enjoying spa days makes you happy, indulge. If your're a true gym rat or love painting, complete these activities regularly. Don't make excuses for not having time because that will decrease your happiness and joy. Find time in your schedule and make it happen. It's a well known fact that the more time you spend doing things you love and enjoy, the happier you will be!

Last but definitely not least, SMILE MORE! I work with a great team and have the luxury of engaging with hundreds of customers each day. The best interactions I have daily are when I'm smiling and conversing at my store. I'm a firm believer that you attract the energy that you're putting out 75% of the time. Some people or situations that may be challenging are inevitable, but once you realize a smile goes a long way you can deter some of those uneasy interactions. I make an effort to smile as much as I can throughout the day. A simple smile and positive thought has the ability to make you more happy instantly. Challenge yourself to smile more and I can guarantee you'll be more happier more often. 

Sending you All Love, Peace, and Light.

Sincerely,
​Carrie P.