How to drastically increase happiness as a beautiful daily habit.
Like your fitness levels, you must work out your happiness factors to remain in good shape. We have studied over 200 experts on the Moonshots Podcast and found a happy pattern.
We decided to make a Master Series to bring together the best ideas and practices for happiness. We start with Tal Ben-Shahar, who states that a happy life does not need to be happy all the time; instead, we should learn to embrace painful emotions and accept pain.
Continuing on the path and getting us inspired are Shawn Achor and Oprah, who both teach us that the most successful people - in work and life - believe that their actions have a direct effect on their outcomes.
With a foundation of inspiration, we now lean into the details by hearing from the awe-inspiring Dalai Lama, who discusses the idea of hope and gives us a lesson on the meaning of life. We then hear from a Moonshots-first thinker, Russell Brand, who introduces us to a study comparing happiness levels between lottery winners and people with quadriplegia and how your inner state is more connected to your purpose than pleasure.
Helping us adopt new habits and practices to be happier today, we learn out loud with Neil Pasricha and his top 3 tips to start with an optimistic mindset and how to want nothing. Closing the Master episode on Happiness is Naval Ravikant and Joe Rogan, who both talk about why we all need to make happiness our priority and understand that happiness is a choice.
Now let's look at strategies and approaches that can help to increase happiness and overall well-being. Here are some ideas to consider if you want to be happier in life:
- Practice gratitude: Focusing on what you are grateful for can help shift your perspective and increase happiness. Try keeping a gratitude journal, where you write down a few things you are thankful for daily. This journaling can help to foster a more positive outlook and appreciation for the good things in your life.
- Take care of your physical health: Physical health can significantly impact your well-being and happiness. Make sure to exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep. Taking care of your physical health can also help to reduce stress and improve your mood.
- Foster positive relationships: Strong social connections are an essential aspect of happiness. Make an effort to spend time with positive and supportive people and build and maintain meaningful relationships with friends and loved ones.
- Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Practice mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, to help reduce stress and increase feelings of calm and happiness.
- Find activities that bring you joy: Engaging in activities you enjoy can give your life a sense of purpose and fulfilment. Whether it's a hobby, a creative pursuit, or volunteering for a cause you care about, finding activities that bring you joy can help to increase happiness and well-being.
- Set goals and work towards them: Having goals to work towards can give your life direction and a sense of accomplishment. Set goals that are meaningful to you, and work towards them in a manageable and sustainable way.
- Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential for your physical and emotional well-being. Make time for self-care activities, such as taking a relaxing bath, or walking, as they help reduce stress and increase feelings of happiness.
- Seek help if needed: If you are struggling with negative thoughts or feelings affecting your well-being, it may be helpful to seek support from a mental health professional. Therapy or counselling can be a helpful way to work through issues and find strategies to increase happiness and well-being.
- Practice forgiveness: Holding grudges or dwelling on past mistakes can weigh you down and decrease feelings of happiness. Practice forgiveness for yourself and others as a way to move forward and let go of negative emotions.
- Focus on the present: It's natural to have concerns about the future or to think about the past. But try to focus on the present moment as much as possible. This awareness can help to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of contentment and happiness.
Remember that happiness is a journey, not a destination. It's normal to have ups and downs, and it's essential to be kind to yourself and to practice self-compassion. By implementing some of these strategies and approaches, you can work towards increasing your happiness and overall well-being.