Some Tips on How To Be Happier
Research has shown that we are born with a set point for happiness. That means you have an inbuilt level of happiness determined by your genes. So even if we win the lottery our happiness levels will raise for a short time but then eventually go back down to the original level. Sorry to say but more money doesn’t in the long term make you happier.
The good news is that we can change this set point. Plus or minus 10% is attributed to your surroundings and the people around you, over which many of us have little or no control unless we choose to.
The remaining percentage is in our control and can be changed as much as 40% by integrating some small changes.
1. Be grateful
Having a grateful attitude has proven to make significant positive changes in brain and levels of happiness. So at the end of the day just think of 5 small things that you can be grateful for even things as small as seeing a child smile.
2. Close Relationships
Sorry to say this but if you have negative people around you they will drag you down, cultivate positive relationships. I know that we can’t choose our families but we can certainly choose our friends.
3. Find some meaning in your life
Unfulfilled in your life? Try to remember what you really enjoyed as a child and look for ways to include some of this in your life
4. Good partners
Yes it’s true a good marriage based on mutual respect, trust and nurturing will raise your happiness level
5. Forgiveness
Yes I know its hard but not holding onto past grievances and forgiving free up happiness.
6. Being optimistic
If you hear yourself talking negatively STOP and change the wording. How we talk to ourselves has massive affect on levels of happiness.
Kimberley Tylor is a qualified counsellor, life coach and hypnotherapist and NLP trainer helping you to overcome obstacles to your happiness and live a fulfilled life after all its not a dress rehearsal!
Other Resources
http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx