Choose Happiness!

At some point in life, we all struggle with feeling happy, successful, or connected and often blame it on external situations that maybe have nothing to do with the real motives. 

If you’ve found yourself thinking ‘where can I find happiness?’ or ‘how can I find happiness?’, I want to share a little secret with you:

The answer lies within, not outside of you, but we’re not used to seeing it this way.

Happiness is not a destination or just a state, it is a choice available to you at all times and, even though it is so hard to find the motivation, energy or feeling, you can connect with your happiness by consciously deciding to do so.

When you make this choice over and over, it’s easier to find yourself becoming your own source of happiness and connecting with every little thing able to spark your joy; it becomes your natural way of living.

To help you with this choice, here are 5 happiness habits f that may help you be at peace, and feel centered and calm during most of your days: 

1- Shift the focus from momentary-impulsive feelings to conscious reactions:

Many times, we do things impulsively. This may include sudden decisions, drinking, substance abuse, extreme reactions, or just engaging with people who might not have a good effect on our well-being in the long run.

As a result, we end up feeling sad, guilty, and unhappy and fall prey to bad decision-making. 

Hence, every day before making a decision question yourself about where it is coming from and where will it land. Try to stay away from momentary-impulsive actions that may make you feel good for a moment but may not be good for your overall well-being. Purposely look for the joy around, within and everywhere. 

2- Build and preserve a good social network:

Good and meaningful family relations, friends and a good social network add to your overall well-being and happiness. Having supportive and trustful loved ones, gives us the confidence, hope and reassurance that there is a secure place to fall back to during hard times. This connects us with our most content, optimistic and happy selves in the present and makes us more hopeful about a good future.

3- Don’t let your emotions control you:

Getting stuck on negative emotions adds up to brooding or rumination and extends the sadness, rage, fear, etcetera. Believe it or not, scientifically, an emotion is meant to stay with us for about 90 seconds. If we’re still feeling odd after that period, it’s all because we let ourselves ruminate and get into an emotional loop. What you need to do is learn how to transform your emotions and feelings soon after a bad event instead of flowing directionless with it. You can achieve this in a number of ways.

One way is ‘thought-switching’ which involves immediately switching your negative thought to a positive one, or even shutting down your perspective about a situation with a fact about why it is not that huge in real life. This will reconduct your thought and, in consequence, impact your emotional reaction. 

You can do it!

Build on these habits, and make them an essential part of your everyday routine life (just like eating or taking a shower).

If you need help, contact me. I’ll be grateful and glad to assist your healing process.