How To Be Happy

Happiness is one of my favorite research topics. I have shelves of happiness books in my office, I’m a member of the International Positive Psychology Association, I attend conferences and workshops in the field. I am always drawn to the latest happiness articles on the Internet, like this one that claims Denmark is the happiest country on earth.

We have a wealth of knowledge at our hands to help us be happy. Interestingly, for most of us, it always seems to point to one key thing:

Choose to be happy.

We don’t always get to choose our circumstances, but we do choose how we will respond to them. Life throws us all curve balls – I’ve had several myself over the past few years – but each of us decides whether to be consumed and dragged down by them, or to learn and grow from them.

Choose to be happy. Can it really be that simple?

Simple – yes. Easy – not necessarily. But if you intentionally build a foundation of joy in your life, complete with uplifting habits, happiness can become your default mode.

Once you choose to be happy, here are 5 evidence-based techniques you can implement in favor of your happiness:

1. Have meaningful goals. 

In her excellent book The How of Happiness, researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky says, “People who strive for something personally significant, whether it’s learning a new craft, changing careers, or raising moral children, are far happier than those who don’t have strong dreams or aspirations. Find a happy person, and you will find a project.”

2. Take care of yourself.

From the basics like adequate exercise and rest to the “inner work” of meditation and prayer, treat yourself with kindness and health. You can’t fully support and uplift others if you are running on empty.  

3. Surround yourself with happiness. 

What would bring you joy throughout the day? One of my clients has a large photo of her cat on her office door and adds a “thought bubble” with an uplifting quote each week. Perhaps photos, reminders of your goals or successes, or certain scents make you smile. An important component in this step: surround yourself with positive people.

4. Volunteer.

I once cross-stitched a piece that said, “There is no greater exercise than reaching down and lifting up another.” How can you use your strengths and gifts to benefit others? Find or create opportunities that allow you to serve in alignment with your values to support causes you care deeply about. 

5. Seek meaning and purpose. 

This first requires some personal reflection: Who are you? What fulfills you? How can you live in harmony with your values and beliefs? What matters most? What do you feel you are here on this earth to do? Discern those activities and “ways of being” that fill you with meaning and purpose, at work and in life. Express gratitude for all that you have, too. 

Remember, happy people experience sadness, frustration, grief, and all the other emotions that form a rich, full life. Choosing happiness, and taking actions in favor of that choice, will help you build resilience when those less-than-happy circumstances arrive. Happy people are magnetic, drawing other happy people towards them. 

Will you choose to become magnetically happy? Start forming your happiness habits today!

Do you believe happiness is a choice? What are your happiness habits? Share your thoughts below, on Facebook, or via Twitter. We love to hear from you!