The question of the century seems to be, “how can I be happy?” and most importantly, “what does it take to be happy every day?” Interestingly enough, happiness isn’t exactly what we think it is. In a way, happiness, which has been inaccurately distilled down to the idea of constant and unwavering euphoria, is much more even-tempered than that, and the people who are happiest are perfect examples of why.
Positive psychology shows that people who are habitually happy are simply much better at dealing with the ebb and flow of life than those who tirelessly seek out perfection and hold on to the past in hopes that the future will change.
It’s an undeniable fact: a happy attitude is an uncomplicated combination of very simple principles practiced daily. And as we at Modernize love to hear, happiness is shown to start primarily in the home—no surprise there! Here are the top 3 habits of habitually happy people.
Good Relationships
It doesn’t take a scientific study to show that cultivating positive relationships with family and friends leads to a happier lifestyle and overall well-being. That is, unless you count the large number of psychological studies that state good relationships are a huge part of the foundation from which happy people develop resiliency and satisfaction.
The point is that community is incredibly important to social beings like us, and the stronger your relationships, the happier you’ll be. Simple, right? We think so.
Gratitude
Could something as simple as expressing gratitude and being thankful really and truly make our lives better? The answer is yes. And not only that, but it turns out that being grateful for what you have also helps you stay physically healthy, too.
Taking the time to be thankful and acknowledge what you have going for you helps to reduce stress and lower the rush of cortisol released by the body when it feels as if it’s under attack—things that a negative outlook can certainly create. Plus, being habitually grateful can only lead you to being habitually happy in the long run. Win-win.
Everyday Resiliency
Resiliency is a tricky concept to grasp. What exactly does it mean to be “resilient” anyway? Well, these days, it’s more a measure of how easily you let go and accept the way things are. Whether or not you find yourself in dire straits or dramatic situations, having the capability to embrace each moment as it is and move on to the next despite how favorable the situation, it is an important marker of a happy—and resilient—person.
Bitterness, tension, and anger are much less likely to build up overtime within a resilient person—and on the whole, it’s safe to say that person is content, if not happy most of the time.
About the Author:
This article was written by Katherine Oakes.