6 Easy Solutions to Help You Find Happiness
Making the pursuit of happiness a little more possible
There is no fast track to happiness - sorry.
But, there are a lot of little things you can add in your back pocket to help you get closer to happiness, faster.
Not all of these things will work for you though. That’s because you and I are different people.
The idea is to try as many different things as you can, pick what is most effective for you and then add them to your tool kit.
These are my top 6 easy solutions to find happiness.
1. Reduce the sources of unhappiness in your life
It’s going to be very difficult to be happy if you are constantly unhappy. This sounds obvious and that’s because it is!
Remove the sources of unhappiness in your life.
This source might be a job you hate going to 5 times a week.
But, it could also be that friend who is painfully negative every time you see him. You know, the one who drains your energy?
You won’t be happy if you’re constantly doing things you don’t like and around unhappy people.
Positivity breeds happiness. Happiness breeds happiness.
2. Build strong relationships
You shouldn’t rely on others for happiness, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t nurture amazing relationships.
We are social creatures who love the companionship of others. Surround yourself with positive people who will be there for you when you’re down.
Find your people - the ones who make you laugh, share interests and want the best for you.
Get close to the ones who will tell you the truth even if it’s hard for you to hear.
Now, live life with those people.
3. Practice meditation
Meditation will bring you back to the present. In the present, you are absent of unhappiness.
This is because you are not worried about the mistakes of the past or what may go wrong in the future.
While meditating, you are simply here, now.
Our lives are busy and hectic. We are surrounded by notifications, deadlines and noise.
Silence the noise, bring yourself back and watch the impact it has on your happiness.
4. Continuously set goals
This is something that will work for the majority of us. Setting continuous goals allows us to make progress towards something bigger.
Knowing you are working towards something bigger and watching yourself get closer and closer will make life exciting.
You will look forward to waking up and putting in more effort.
I have done this many times. It’s why I love starting new businesses or taking on random challenges such as workout goals or reaching a new chess elo rating.
The closer you get, the more you will taste happiness.
Once you get there, set a new goal. Repeat.
5. Work on something you love
Few things will make you happier than to have a project to work on that you truly love. You’ll know you’ve found it because it will not feel like work.
“Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Mark Twain
The source of unhappiness for many is their work. Being forced to do something you don’t enjoy 5+ times a week, for 30+ years, will lead you to misery.
That’s like wasting away 25% of your entire life.
Imagine if that 25% was enjoyable. Wouldn’t you be happy too?
6. Take care of yourself
This is something you cannot ignore. There is a good chance that if you did the other 5 things, but not this, you would still find yourself unhappy.
Those who sleep 6 hours or less per night are about 2.5 times more likely to experience frequent mental distress compared to those who sleep more than 6 hours.
Those who work out 4+ times a week experience happiness levels up to 3x higher than those who do not.
A good night’s sleep, physical exercise and a proper diet are needed.
Take care of yourself and your mind will be a lot friendlier.
Closing remarks
Some of these solutions will come to you easier than others. Start with what is easier for you and then continue to add.
The more you add, the happier you will be. You need to be consistent though.
You’ll feel yourself become less happy if you miss your workouts for 2 weeks the same way you will feel less happy if you don’t socialize for a week.
Your happiness will compound the more consistent you are on top of that!
Thanks for reading!