Many people confuse happiness with becoming “successful” in the eyes of society.
Traumas from the past, self-imposed obligations, expectations of others, … there are many reasons that can make happiness a real dream for many. However, there are certain keys to being able to answer the big question: how to be happy?
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How to be happy? 15 keys to achieve it
Thinking of the pursuit of happiness as a goal can be a dangerous trap . There are many people who try to achieve it following a logic that society marks us, but on many occasions it is mirages that do not lead to it.
Accumulating wealth, having fame or holding power are many of the life goals of many people. However, there are many people who have managed and still wonder how to be happy and who have not found the keys to achieve it.
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1. Be honest with yourself
Knowing what you want is fundamental to being happy . People who don’t ask each day what it is they want can end up having a hard time finding happiness. Whether it’s work, social relationships, a relationship, etc., you have to break with what doesn’t work as a way of being happy.
2. Treat yourself well
One of the keys to being happy is to treat yourself well . Many people tend to dedicate little to themselves, whether due to stress, obligations or dedication to others. Pampering yourself on a regular basis is very necessary. How can you be happy if you don’t have consideration for your own being?
3. Set small goals
One of the big mistakes many people make is setting big goals . To get to the top of a mountain you first have to jump over that stream or skirt around that big rock. You have to focus on small goals, because it is normal to feel overwhelmed if success is only associated with the big goal.
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4. Busy instead of worry
It is essential to face problems head-on when they appear . It is common to fall into the mistake of worrying a lot, and thinking about a subject that is distressing. In any case, you have to try to take matters into your own hands and deal with it without further ado, because thinking too much sometimes leads to non-action.
5. Be grateful
One of the keys to understand how to be happy is with gratitude . It is common for people to think about what they do not have or have not yet achieved, but doing the exercise of valuing and being grateful for what you have (especially loved ones) is essential.
6. Live the present (and not the past or the future)
There are people who cannot enjoy life because they do not live in the present . Two large categories can be grouped, and they are those who think too much about the past and those who think too much about the future. You have to accept that the only thing you have and live is the present.
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7. Choose the people around us
Being in contact with other people who make us feel good is fundamental to being happy . The family in part cannot be chosen, but the friends with whom we spend time can. We must seek to be with people who make us feel good and not with toxic people.
8. Spending time with family and friends
There is nothing like spending time with other people that we appreciate . In fact, if you think about the best memories you have, you can see the importance of being close to other people. You have to be with them and spend quality time without worrying about other things.
9. Choose your own thoughts
The power of thoughts is becoming more and more evident . Applying this key can be as simple as thinking of three positive things that have happened during the day before going to sleep. In this way our brain remembers positive things and uses this information in our favor in the present and in the future.
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10. Being in the great outdoors
How to be happy always being between four walls? . Humans have evolved in open spaces and we need to be in them and to be touched by the air and the sun, which provides vitamin D. It is very important to clear our minds, being ideal to be in nature.
11. Exercise
Many people do not know how far the properties and benefits of exercise go . Although it is well known that doing physical activity benefits the body, there are those who ignore all the good things it offers the mind. The release of endorphins is one of the ways to make our brain feel pleasure after exercising.
12. Smile
How to be happy in a simpler way? Science has shown that smiling is an exceptional measure to be happier. It is a fantastic “homework” to propose to smile every day, being a natural therapy that does not cost any money.
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13. Travel
Seeing the world is an extraordinary experience . Seeing other places in the world opens the mind a lot, but it also means the opportunity to give our mind very attractive stimuli. It encourages you to learn many things (language, history, culture, gastronomy, etc.), but above all to live.
14. Value the little things
Life is not in the big things, but in the little things . There are many wise men and thinkers from different moments in history who have spoken in this regard. Seeing a loved one smile or being in true contact with nature can be much more rewarding than achieving fame, wealth, or power.
15. Not looking for happiness
One of the big mistakes that many people make is embarking on the search for happiness . As mentioned in the previous point, happiness can be found in the little things in life. We must not force ourselves to achieve goals that do not interest us only for the recognition of third parties.
- Related article: ” Winning Mindset: 10 Key Qualities to Achieve Your Goals “
Bibliographic references
- Penman, D. & Williams, M. (2013). Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a hectic world. Barcelona: Paidos Editions.
- Seligman, M. and Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2000). Positive psychology: An introduction. American Psychologist, 55 (1), 5-14.
- Singer, I. (2009). The nature of love. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
