How to be happy: 6 easy steps to find happiness

How to be happy: 6 easy steps to find happiness

Happiness is the mental state of experiencing positive or pleasant emotions. In my experience, many people define happiness as a feeling of intense joy, which can make it difficult to feel happy in our daily lives. In fact, there are many levels of happiness, ranging from a sense of contentment to exhilarating jubilation. Many of us begin to strive to regularly reach thrilling heights of happiness, and this often ends in disappointment.

Instead of happiness, try focusing on contentment.

What is satisfaction?

Contentment is the mental state of experiencing satisfaction in your current state. It is often felt when you are comfortable in your mind, body and surroundings. Although we all experience a range of emotions every day, it can be helpful to practice finding contentment on a regular basis. The next time you take a tea break or sit down after finishing work, take a minute or two to feel good about your body, your mind, and your daily accomplishments.

How to find happiness within yourself

Reframing how you view happiness and where you get your happiness from can be simple changes that really make a difference. Here's a six-step process to help you feel happier in your life and work:

1. STOP CHASING HAPPINESS

Many people associate happiness with achieving certain goals or aspirations. This practice makes happiness a reward rather than an emotion that deserves to be felt every day.

Instead of chasing goals, and by extension, chasing happiness, allow yourself to feel happiness whenever it comes your way.

2. REMOVE YOUR OWN BARRIERS TO HAPPINESS

Following on from point 1, the second downside to anchoring happiness in external goals is that you can fall into unhelpful thinking habits. By basing your happiness on something external, you may forget that the feeling of happiness is something that comes from within and can be found by looking inward, rather than waiting for an external action to trigger it.

Try reframing the way you approach happiness, and instead of making it a long-awaited goal, think regularly about what makes you happy. This could be time with family, friends or a loved one or doing a particular activity such as painting, cycling or cooking.

Give yourself permission to schedule these moments of happiness in your life regularly.

3. PRACTICE, LOOKING INSIDE

The third step is to practice looking within, with a view to finding happiness within. This is an activity that takes time and effort, but creates a useful habit.

Start paying attention to yourself and noting how you feel on a regular basis. If you're stressed, try implementing a stress management strategy, or if you feel like you could take better care of yourself, try creating a self-improvement plan.

4. MAKE YOUR OWN SYSTEM

Once you start paying attention to yourself, you can also start to address any areas that may be bothering you. Often, internal problems can reduce self-esteem, so it may be worth taking some time for self-care.

Focusing on self-esteem can make you happy. The best way to improve your self-esteem is to treat yourself as you would a valued friend, in a positive but honest way.

It's a great way to review how you're taking care of yourself, especially if you work for yourself. Thinking of yourself as your best boss or best friend can help you reframe the way you treat yourself and allow you to treat yourself more kindly, more fairly.

And on top of that, allow yourself to be vulnerable, even at work. Noticing your problem areas or your weaknesses is an important first step in finding support for them or overcoming your problems altogether.

5. BE PRESENT

Taking time for the present will allow you to truly enjoy your surroundings and connect with your emotions on a deeper level. Practicing mindfulness is becoming a new strategy that businesses like Google and Facebook are encouraging their employees to do, so you may want to try this in your role or with your team.

Thinking and acting in the present can also allow you to experience happiness more regularly and at a deeper level.

6. TAKE TIME TO EVALUATE YOURSELF

The final step in my six-step process is to take time for self-evaluation. Appreciate your work, your life and your achievements. You can find happiness by simply reflecting on past events, some of them achievements and others just pleasant experiences.

If you're a freelancer or entrepreneur, try to reflect on your journey regularly. It's easy to get confused about future plans and forget how well you've done before. By focusing on your past experiences, you will not only relive the emotions brought about by certain milestones, but you will also find ways to improve yourself and your work.