Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.
– Groucho Marx
The greatest happiness is to transform one’s feelings into action.
– Madame de Stael
What is happiness? Happiness is a complex emotion composed of many different feelings that all blend into one. Happiness may be described as a state of being joyful and enthusiastic about doing a specific thing that’s extremely stimulating to you; feeling eager to start a new day and experience new things; being satisfied with yourself and grateful for everything that surrounds you; living your life fully and seeing it as something thrilling, exciting and beautiful to go through. It is also a state of feeling joyous about giving and receiving affection and it involves loving yourself as much as you love other people.
But happiness is not something ready made that arrives from nowhere and it is not constant and on permanent basis. It is rather a sense of peace and contentment, as Dalai Lama said, which can be achieved by learning how to focus your energy on creating and developing a positive attitude and by changing your lifestyle.
Now, coming back to our everyday life, let’s have a look at all those small but important things that you can do to become happier. Let’s start from changing all those tiny but significant details that make up your day and that make you feel in a certain way. If you follow the suggestions described below, you will surely learn how to change and you will find your way to become happier.
Start Doing Things That You Really Wish to Do
Don’t wake up in the morning expecting huge changes to arrive from nowhere. Life is also made of small and simple pleasures and joys and it is all up to you to find them and make them happen. How many things have you always wished to do but never managed? Well, do at least one of them today!
Go and buy that beautiful plant that you love so much, but always thought that it was a waste of time and money doing it. Start those new dance lessons you’ve always wanted to do so much, but never thought they were really necessary. And yes, you can say that today you definitely don’t feel like doing your usual, “obligatory” things, and decide to make your day better and different, no matter what is going on in your life.
Motivate yourself, create new experiences and be receptive to new ways of thinking. Find something that stimulates you, start working on it and imagine how great is it going to be to see your goals accomplished.
Learn to Love Yourself
Don’t always feel obliged to yes. Don’t always dedicate all your time just to other people. Learn to respect your desires and don’t ever criticize yourself if others are not content with your choices and behavior. Accept yourself for the way you are, with all you imperfections and virtues, for these imperfections and virtues make you the wonderful person you are.
Don’t Overwhelm Yourself With Stress
And don’t get upset for every single problem. This will draw away your positive energy and make you feel depressed, sad and unresponsive to the world around you. Decide who and what is really worth your time and who and what really deserves your emotional commitment. Only when you do this, you will be able to dedicate your energy to your own well being and happiness.
Care About What You Eat- The Happiness Diet
Tyler Graham and Dr. Drew Ramsey, authors of the book The Happiness Diet, maintain that the consumption of certain types of food may reduce the effects of stress, increase your energy and make you even smarter and happier. This diet is based on ingredients rich in “nutrients like A, B12, D, and E, and folate (folic acid), iodine, magnesium, calcium, iron, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids”.
They say that “food is directly linked to three areas of brain function that create your “happiness ability.” The first is your capacity to focus, think, plan, and remember (we call them “foods for thought”). The second is emotional regulation (“foods for good mood”). And third are foods that give you the ability to power through a deadline and control anxiety (“foods for energy”)”.
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