Happiness is a state of mind that almost all people strive for. It is not for nothing that numerous poets, thinkers and philosophers have been dealing with this topic for centuries. But what does happiness actually mean and can you become happy (again) even if not everything is going perfectly in your life or you have even suffered a blow of fate or loss? This and more you will learn below.
Happiness has an individual meaning for each person. Generally speaking, it is a personal measure of one's own quality of life. As a result, people who are happy live a more contented, anxiety-free life and even cope with setbacks more calmly than people who unhappy feel. Problem-solving skills are also significantly increased.
The subjective feeling of happiness not only makes people happier, but has also been shown to have a positive effect on both mental and physical health. Thus, in a Study for example, demonstrate that people who feel happy are less susceptible to infectious diseases and even produce more antibodies after vaccination.
How do I become happy again? You may be asking yourself this question because something drastic has happened to you. You may have lost a loved one, gone through a nerve-wracking divorce, or been diagnosed with a serious illness. Can you ever be happy again under these circumstances and find the happiness you have lost? The answer is yes.
After all, happiness is not a question of external circumstances, but of inner attitude. The most common mistake in the search for lost happiness is that you make it dependent on external factors. However, you cannot always influence these. But you can control how you deal with unpleasant circumstances. Do you want to remain in the role of a victim? Do you want to remain stuck in the past and thus in old energy? Or are you ready to process what happened, to let go and to trust again?
In simple terms, you should start by looking for happiness within yourself. Admittedly, this is easier said than done. Also, realize that happiness is not a perpetual state of mind and does not have to be associated with major events and changes. Rather, it's about appreciating the small moments and learning to be mindful of yourself.
Even the happiest people experience days when things don't go well for them and everything seems to be conspiring against them. But especially if you are at a low point anyway, the following SOS tips can help you effectively:
The happiness diary is not considered a classic without reason. It is easy to use, but still very effective: Write down what you are grateful for and what successes you have achieved. Whenever you're feeling down, you can flip through your happiness diary. This will brighten your mood in no time.
During physical activity, the brain releases happiness hormones. You immediately feel more relaxed. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be sweaty competitive sports. Even a brisk walk around the block can help you clear your head again.
The spicy scent of the forest or the salty smell of the sea, the sound of the surf and the fresh wind in your hair: Just imagining them should lower your stress level. So get out into nature as often as you can. This tip can be wonderfully combined with the previous recommendation regarding more exercise.
Those who go through life full of grief and resentment cannot be happy. Forgiving yourself and other people, on the other hand, is healing for the soul. People make mistakes, no one is perfect. It is therefore not helpful to be resentful or to hold grudges for years. Let go of negative emotions and focus on the positive.
Of course, the latter does not mean that you have to put up with transgressions and accept everything that happens to you at the hands of others without complaint. However, remember that forgiveness is first and foremost good for yourself - for your peace of mind.
Sometimes you need impulses from outside to get to the bottom of the cause of your lack of happiness and to heal your soul in the long run. A professional coach can support you in this. However, he does not give you rules, but instead provides you with the right tools to find and use your own happiness resources.
As mentioned at the beginning, happiness is less a result of external circumstances, but much more a question of how you look at things and how you deal with yourself and the challenges of life. Mindfulness and self-care play a key role here. This is even proven by current Studies.
If you don't treat yourself well and ignore your own needs, you can't be happy in a self-explanatory way. Self-care means knowing and protecting your own boundaries. This includes, for example, saying no more often when a favor is inwardly repugnant to you. Allowing yourself regular time-outs and appreciating your own successes are also part of self-care.
Our modern everyday life is often characterized by hectic. Mindfulness means noticing and appreciating the small moments of happiness. When was the last time you paused and consciously enjoyed a beautiful moment without immediately pulling out your cell phone? If you can't remember, you should definitely try to be a less mindful person.
We have already touched on it briefly: Gratitude is exceedingly important if you want to live a happy life (again). This is primarily related to a change in perspective. If you pay attention to this, you may notice that you get upset about negative things much faster than you notice positive things.
So it stands to reason that gratitude increases your sense of happiness. Regularly keep in mind the big and small things for which you are grateful. You will certainly find that there are a lot of them, so that annoyances and worries move into the background. The most effective way to do this is to create a happiness diary.
Loneliness makes people unhappy. This has been well studied scientifically, as the following Professional article makes it clear. If you want to become happy again, you should therefore maintain your social contacts or - if you have already withdrawn strongly - make new contacts.
A social gathering with friends or a good conversation with a trusted person will make you feel less alone with your fears and burdens. You have the opportunity to talk things out or ask someone for their advice. Sometimes a friend sees the situation with completely different eyes and can give you a new perspective on your problem.
In addition, socially well-integrated people have a lower risk of developing depression, which is also evident in the above article. A social network can not only support you mentally, but also distract you effectively. If you do something nice with friends or family, you don't have the opportunity to escape into a negative spiral of thoughts.
It's been proven time and again that people who have a clear goal in life are happier and less easily discouraged by setbacks. Is there something you're burning for inside that you're determined to achieve? Then start making plans today on how you can realize your goals. By the way, it doesn't matter whether your goals are professional or private.
Interesting to know: The most frequent life goals of Germans in the year 2023 are shown in the following Statistics listed.
How do I become happy again? You've already made a start by reading this article and getting some inspiration. Are you now really motivated to change something? Then we would like to introduce you to our Visions Challenge Workbook to the heart.
If all possibilities were open to you, how would you shape your life? What is your dream in life? With just three simple exercises, you will be able to identify your personal vision, define your life goals and focus your energy to become happy again. Lead the life you really want to lead!
