Would you like some tips on how to be happier?

All of us want to be happier. We spend our lives searching for things that will make us happier. In fact, if you really think about it, our lives are dedicated to finding happiness. Every decision we make, every choice we take is to make us happier.

Here are ten things you can start doing to make changes in your life right now. I urge you to give at least some of these a go.

  1. Random Acts of Kindness: By doing nice things for other people, you are actually making yourself happier at the same time. Why don’t you try this for a week? Try a random act of kindness every day. This results in you thinking about what good you can do for the world, what better way of living is there than thinking about other people, rather than yourself?
  2. Say “Yes” More: What would happen if you spend just a week saying yes to everything? Why not give it a go and see what happens, see what adventures you open your eyes to rather than saying no and closing yourself off to potentially amazing things.
  3. Practice Gratitude: In order to be happier, we should not focus on the things we don’t have, we should focus on the things we do have and be grateful now. No matter what is going on in your life, there are things to be grateful for, your family, best friend, beautiful sunrise or sunset, where you live, the people you work with etc. On a daily basis I write down three things I am grateful for, it is amazing all the things that you can be grateful for right now, give it a try.
  4. Follow your dreams: If there is something you really want to do or somewhere you really want to go, then start working on a plan to make it happen. No one is going to do it for you.
  5. Be happy now: Live in the present moment and be happy now. Don’t spend too much time in the past or in the future. Focus on the here and now.
  6. Experiences: One of my favourite quotes is “Fill your life with experiences, not things. Have stories to tell, not stuff to show”. Studies have shown that the joy you feel when you buy new material goods wear off quicker than investing in experiences such as safari holidays.
  7. Be sociable: Spend time with friends or meet new people.
  8. Exercise: It has been conclusively proven that physical exercise is a powerful natural antidote to depression. Regular exercise releases endorphins, the happiness hormone.
  9. Laugh: Laughter, even if initially it is forced, has been proven to lift our spirits and improve our overall well being and mood. Again it releases endorphins to make the body feel good. Why not book tickets to a comedy show?
  10. Positive thoughts: Force yourself to have positive thoughts. Put mini coloured post-it notes around your home and every time you look at one you have to think of something that makes you feel good. This strengthens the neural pathways in your brain and reinforces the happy chemicals in your body.

I want to encourage you to try out the tips above, give it a go, because what is the worst that can happen? And the best that can happen… who knows, the world is your oyster.

What to Do Next

I am a professional life coach and I love encouraging, motivating and inspiring my clients to achieve their goals and ambitions. If you think you could benefit from a motivation boost from a life coach then please get in touch with me at caroline@raisethebarlifecoaching.co.uk where I will be happy to arrange a free 30 minute mini life coaching session with you.