In part 1, we explored some ways of nurturing the happiness in our lives so it is not dependent on circumstances around us. Here are some other ways that are guaranteed to help make you feel happy and keep you feeling happy and content with your life, even if the circumstances and events happening around you leave your feeling momentarily shaken.
5) Nurture those you love.
You may feel this step is logical and that you do this all the time as a spouse or a parent. Think carefully however. How much time do you invest into improving your marriage, or developing your parenting skills? Research shows that the happiest people are those with the strongest relationships with significant others.
6) Look after your health.
Enjoy yourself running around with the children, doing Zumba at the gym or playing golf with your mates. Looking after your health feels you with energy and when you add laughter to the fun you are the winner.
7) Try something new you have always wanted to do.
Set yourself a challenge to do something new every week no matter how much you feel you can’t do it. Have a go and enjoy the experience. You may find yourself surprised by the results, and if you don’t succeed you will certainly enjoy trying it. Better still, try it with a friend and double the fun.
8) Don’t expect too much. Instead, enjoy what comes to you.
Keep your expectations on yourself and others at a reasonable level. If you set the standard too high you are setting yourself up to feel let down. Accept and appreciate the things that people do for you and you are able to do for yourself and others.
Happiness in our reach if we focus on achieving it. Taking time to appreciate the good things in our life and the gift of love that is given to us by our significant others are reasons to celebrate what is happening in our life. We should be focusing these things on each day as we think about the things we have been blessed with. They are the things that remain constants when other things in our life are not going as well. They help us keep the difficult moments we will inevitably face in perspective and give us hope when things around us may seem hopeless.