Image by angeloangelo via Flickr
According to a December 2007 survey, researchers found that 84 percent of Americans are happy with their lives. While this may still hold true today, many of us can testify that life can get very stressful at times, and we may not always be satisfied with the way our lives are going. While few of us will ever achieve full bliss, there are ways in which we can improve our quality of life. Check out these eight tips to help you lead a happier life.
Never put your goals on the back burner. It seems like an obvious thing to do: Follow your goals. The problem is that many of us don’t, thinking that it’s “not the right time” or that “I can do it later”. The truth is, many people who think that way never reach their goals. No matter how much you can do now, it’s important that you don’t forget about your goals and that you are always doing something to get there. By doing this, people create meaning for their lives, and they become more satisfied once they reach their goals.
Sustain healthy relationships. One of the most important things you can do to lead a happier life is to sustain healthy relationships. Although you should consider spending more time with your partner, this does not just mean having a strong relationship with your partner, but this refers to everyone you have a relationship with. Talk often with friends and family, and don’t avoid spending time with them.
Avoid people you don’t like. A good friend once told me that you can’t pretend to like people when you don’t; it just makes life more difficult. This may sound mean, but it can help you brighten your mood and help you stay happy. This doesn’t mean that you have to be cruel and tell them to stay away from you. It simply means that you shouldn’t pretend to like someone and spend time with them when you don’t want to. You are compromising your own happiness because you think it will make someone else happy, and that is not necessarily healthy.
Maintain good physical health. You probably hear this all the time, but research shows that people who are healthier are usually happier. This is partly because exercising releases endorphins that make you happy, and eating healthy can help you maintain excellent psychological health. Additionally, staying healthy helps people boost their self-esteem, ultimately making them happier.
Help others out. Volunteering is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It may not seem like something you want to do at first, but simply taking a few minutes to help someone out with something can make you feel great. Volunteering often at events, such as those sponsored by a church or donating your blood, can help individuals feel great because they know they are doing something good for others.
Keep your environment clean and organized. One thing that can make people upset is by living in an unorganized environment. You may not even realize it, but coming home to an unkempt house can put you in a bad mood. Instead, do your best to keep your home, car, and work area clean. It is also important to keep your schedule organized as to reduce stress and frustration.
Laugh and smile often. Laughing and smiling actually have physiological effects that can make people happy. Just like exercising, laughing and smiling release chemicals in your brain that make you happy. Go out often to comedy shows, visit family and reminisce, play games with friends, or do anything else that makes you laugh and smile.
Try your best to remain stress-free. Maintaining a stress-free life is the best way to maintain happiness. All of these suggestions can help relieve stress, but there are plenty of other ways as well. Do your best to avoid stress to help yourself stay happy.
Alicia Rades has been working as a freelance writer for over two years and has written over 1,500 articles on a variety of subjects. Alicia is currently studying health promotion and wellness, and you can visit her blog at standinghealthy.com. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, and she enjoys cooking, working out, and writing.
Connect
Ya know it’s funny, at a quick glance this might seems like common sense stuff that everyone should know. But if that where the case there would be a lot more happy people out there.
People tend to under emphasize things like healthy easting habits and physical activity, but these things play a vital role in your day to day mood.
Tv, magazines, the newspaper, they all try to make this stuff seem so complicated.
It’s actually very simple and your post crystallized that perfectly.
Micah invites you to read… How to Promote Your Blog: 10 Easy Ways That Work Like Hell (AKA get out of the shower)
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 10:35 am
Thanks!
Alicia invites you to read… 7 Ways to Build Self-Esteem
[Reply]
Hi Alicia,
the single most important step to lead a happier life is to find out what makes us happy. Although this is different for every single person on this planet, most people find themselves in several traps and boxes that prevent them from being happy – and free. They don’t know who they are and half lost the connection to their inner guidance. That leads to the fact that everybody tries to change everybody instead of finding the people that make us happy without having to change them first, which doesn’t work.
Thanks for sharing your insights.
Take care
Oliver
Oliver Tausend invites you to read… Is There Such A Thing As ‘Too Much Imagination’ ?
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 10:36 am
That is an excellent idea. I don’t know why I didn’t include that in the article. Thanks!
Alicia invites you to read… 7 Ways to Build Self-Esteem
[Reply]
[...] that gives advice to women on a variety of issues. … Continued here: 8 Ways to Lead a Happier Life « Grow With Stacy ← Men's Health Magazine – One Discontinuance Shop Catering to the … How to [...]
It is desire of every person to lead happy life.According to my life simplicity and hard work brings everlasting happiness in life.
Azam@silpada invites you to read… Being a Sales Rep for Silpada Designs
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 23rd, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I would agree. Keeping things simple definitely makes everything more stress-free.
Alicia invites you to read… Tips to Help You Reach Your Goals
[Reply]
Good physical health and clean environment always makes your good day. Helping other people gives you more satisfaction.
Aasma @ MLM Software Company invites you to read… Binary MLM Software Jaipur
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Thanks for responding!
Alicia invites you to read… How to Save Money on Gas
[Reply]
Some really great tips. Most of these should be obvious to all of us, but when I am not happy I tend to forget about these and focus on problems, making mine seem worse. I tolerate my husband’s friends far too much and really don’t like being around them, one of the things that I need to stop doing.
Cindy@CindyLu invites you to read… Go easy on jewellery accessories in 2012
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Much of the time I forget my own advice!
Alicia invites you to read… 12 Great Foods For Your Skin
[Reply]
These are truly great practical tips that can really make life a lot better for anyone.
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 24th, 2012 at 8:13 am
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Alicia invites you to read… How to Save Money on Gas
[Reply]
I think you are mainly responsible your own happiness. I try not to let a lot get to me and we have to remember time alone is more important than money.
Michael Belk @tworkplace social issues invites you to read… Announcing the winner of my 10,000 visitor contest!!!
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 25th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Of course. Thanks for your feedback!
Alicia invites you to read… How to Save Money on Gas
[Reply]
I see people all the time chasing money when that time is better spent relaxing.
Michael Belk @workplace social issues invites you to read… It’s Friday!!!
[Reply]
Even if we know what we are supposed to do, doesn’t mean that we always will. Healthy relationships is what I took most from your posting, mainly because that would already make people feel good, laugh, smile, go out more, motivate people to do more and dream….and on the flipside, an unhealthy relationship would create all kinds of drama and stress. That is something worth remembering, thank you for this reminder!
Neutrino invites you to read… The Five Things We Cannot Change
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 25th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
I would completely agree.
Alicia invites you to read… One Secret to Making the Best Cookies
[Reply]
These are wonderful tips in living a happier life. I whole heartily agree with “laugh and smile often”, truly works!
keith@classics movies to watch invites you to read… watch free movies online
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 25th, 2012 at 12:14 pm
Yep. Thanks for replying.
Alicia invites you to read… Tips to Help You Reach Your Goals
[Reply]
Wonderful post indeed well environment and do well get well strategy is indeed well for happier life but I agree your tips are great for happier life.
Rizwan Sultan invites you to read… IBS Blog Studies
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 25th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Thank you!
Alicia invites you to read… One Secret to Making the Best Cookies
[Reply]
Helping others out really makes me happy especially if I see smiles in their faces. A simple thank you worth the help.
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 28th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
I agree. The problem is working up the motivation or finding the time or opportunity to help out others.
Alicia invites you to read… How to Increase Your Iron
[Reply]
Hi Alicia, I find that my life is the happiest when I stay in the present moment. Choosing my thoughts and staying positive even in tough times, helps me maintain a higher level of happiness. Do not let fear stop you from attaining your dreams! You can create a happier world around you! Thanks for your post!
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 30th, 2012 at 8:45 am
Of course. Staying positive is a great way to maintain happiness.
Alicia invites you to read… 7 Ways to Build Self-Esteem
[Reply]
Congratulations on your guest post! I enjoyed this article very much. I think the key to living a happier life is building and maintaining relationships, which seems harder in this social media era.
I’ve been volunteering for many years. It’s great. It helped me discover my passion for teaching children.
Nicole Luongo invites you to read… Join the Stand-Up For Kids VANwagon!
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
April 30th, 2012 at 8:43 am
I agree.
Thanks for checking it out Nicole!
Alicia invites you to read… One Way to Brighten Your Mood Today
[Reply]
Nicole Luongo Reply:
April 30th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
You’re welcome!
Nicole Luongo invites you to read… Join the Stand-Up For Kids VANwagon!
[Reply]
these 8 tips are simple things we often forgotten to do. we are so busy everyday that we don’t find time for laughing, smiling or spending time with good friends. thanks for remembering what’s important!
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
May 2nd, 2012 at 7:40 am
Of course. Thanks for reading!
Alicia invites you to read… One Tip to Better Feed Your Family
[Reply]
Very nice post Alicia. These steps of leading a happy life remind of wonderful lines by author Margaret Young-
” Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want”.
Rayna Miller invites you to read… iPage
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
May 4th, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Great quote!
Alicia invites you to read… How to Sleep Better
[Reply]
Alicia,
I really enjoyed reading your post. The one point that really hits home for me is “Maintain good physical health.” I believe this is crucial. If a person is unhealthy and doesn’t feel good, it’s very difficult to accomplish much in life. It’s hard to go for your dreams when your health gets in the way. Exercise, eating the right foods, trying to get a decent amount of sleep – all of these things play into feeling good and being able to function at our top potential.
Samuel invites you to read… How To Write A Good Article!
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
May 16th, 2012 at 4:57 pm
I definitely agree. I have been trying to exercise more and it makes me feel great!
Alicia invites you to read… Avoiding The Cold or Flu
[Reply]
Nice update This tool is mainly useful for seo services thank you
riathomas invites you to read… Clicker Training
[Reply]
Nice update This tool is mainly useful for seo services thank you
nice sharing it is helpful me
nice
riathomas invites you to read… Clicker Training
[Reply]
Thanks for sharing such a valuable information. It’s really amazing.
nice sharing it is Thanks for again sharing great
great
riathomas invites you to read… Clicker Training
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
May 24th, 2012 at 11:40 am
Of course. Thanks for reading.
Alicia invites you to read… How to Become Pregnant When Trying to Conceive
[Reply]
Haha I’m almost positive I’m an expert in the third one. Not usually a marketable or brag-able skill, though!
Adam Alvarado invites you to read… Why Your Mom Brings Home Trash (Or is it YOU?)
[Reply]
Alicia Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 6:49 am
That’s actually a good thing. It doesn’t stress you out as much and is actually a really good stress-relieving technique.
Alicia invites you to read… 5 Smart Moves to Make as a College Student
[Reply]
Happiness comes to them who opens their door for small treats that life provides to them. So be happy and live longer!
Jack invites you to read… The Pursuit of Happiness: What Are You Seeking?
[Reply]
The beneficial effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system is well documented. There is a direct relation between physical inactivity and cardiovascular mortality, and physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease. Thanks.
[Reply]
Hi,
Thanks for sharing the blog for getting a happier life which is very useful and informative.
Maria
[Reply]