“Is happiness a choice?”
This conversation starter, found in a deck of get-to-know-someone questions or a Pinterest quote page, activates an immediate response. It’s unnerving for those who are experiencing sadness. Alarm signals of “I am trying to be happy!” start to go off in our heads. It seems inhuman that anyone would put up with feeling unhappy if they could simply “choose” not to be.
The truth is, happiness is not as simple as a one-time mental resolution of “I choose to be happy.” It takes time and energy!
So, if you are feeling like it is time to prioritize happiness, here are three practices that may increase your overall feeling of well-being.
- Gratefulness
Gratefulness can manifest in your life in many different ways. Some prefer to keep a notebook and jot down a few things they are grateful for every night or at the beginning of a new day. Others enjoy writing thank you cards to friends, family, and even strangers they feel have left a positive impact on them. The important part, according to researchers, is the action of expressing your gratitude. In multiple studies, groups that documented and expressed gratitude reported a greater feeling of well-being than those that did not.
- Exercise
No one wants to hear it! But, exercise is an important aspect of happiness and well-being. To quote Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, as she defends her client, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” Some research suggests that even getting in more daily steps can boost your happiness. So, when you can, move!
- Socializing
Introverts! Don’t click away just yet! Socializing, no matter how small, can really brighten someone’s day. As Yale professor and doctor of psychology, Dr. Laurie Santos in her podcast “The Happiness Lab” explains, even little moments of connection make all the difference to our happiness. So, ask the barista a follow-up question about their day or hold the door open for a stranger. Every interaction counts.
Finally, please be thoughtful and considerate of your mental state. Although this article suggests practices that have been shown to improve many people’s feelings of happiness, mental health is different for every individual. If you feel that you require help for intense feelings of sadness, please reach out to a medical professional. Your mental health is important.