Look. Here’s what happy
people do (but don’t
talk about).
× They Practice
Gratitude.
I’m a gratitude convert
who used to think that
keeping track of things
to be thankful for was
a stupid and contrived
idea. Because, check it
out: I was too unhappy
to make my way to
grateful. Then, during a
very dark time, I
agreed to try a daily
gratitude list as a way
to dig out of it, and it
worked.
Almost three years
later focusing on the
good things that I
always have, no matter
what may be going
wrong, helps to keep
my perspective clear
and my attitude at
least partially positive.
Research backs up that
whether it’s expressed
just to ourselves for
what we have or to
others for what they
bring to our lives,
gratitude makes us
happier.
× They Enjoy Their
Own Company.
Strong social ties are
key to good feelings,
but a truly happy
person can be
comfortable on her
own, too. Solitude and
down time is a good
chance to relax, do the
things we like to do
alone, and build up
energy to go back out
and deal with the world
and its people again.
Alone in healthy doses
doesn’t have to mean
lonely, and if I’m
happy on my own and
comfortable with
myself, I really can be
happy anytime.
× They Make Time
for Fun.
One of my friends
recently carved out
time to ride horses
again. Another friend
dedicated time and
resources to follow her
favorite musical artist
on tour for a few
months this year, and
another transports
rescued dogs to their
new homes. Fun and
joy are the bottom line
in each of these
activities, and the
happiness is following.
Work is obviously
necessary to life, but
the happiest people I
know regularly plan
and do things just for
fun and fulfillment .
They make time for
hobbies and vocations
on their own or with
family and friends, and
take the time to
nurture relationships
away from professional
obligations and chores.#
× They Make Sure
to Get Enough Sleep.
Sleep is a non-
negotiable human need
that too many humans
try to negotiate. The
average adult needs
seven to nine hours of
sleep each night for
health, performance,
and safety in daily
activities. Lack of sleep
can disturb moods, sex
drive, memory , weight,
and cardiac and
vascular conditions,
among other things
that are intrinsic to
health and basic
happiness.
It makes sense that
rested people are
happier people, or at
least they’re not as
edgy as anyone fresh
from an all-nighter and
way too much caffeine.
× They’re Honest
and Tell the Truth.
Lying may provide
some short-term
reward, but it’s a
complicated and
inauthentic (and
uncool, let’s be honest)
way to live on a
regular basis. Even the
most honest people
can lapse from time to
time, but a life that
includes regular
dishonesty breeds
stress, the fear of
being found out, and
the need to keep
complicated stories
straight as lies
inevitably compound.
Honest people benefit
from the happiness
that comes from being
real no matter what,
and happier, stronger
relationships based on
trust and open
communication — a
way better approach
than a string of shady
stories.
× They Practice
Forgiveness.
Grudges are exhausting
and depressing no
matter the cause, and
moving past them
makes wonderful space
for freedom and
happiness. It isn’t
always easy to forgive,
and it doesn’t always
mean liking the
circumstances of how
we were treated. But if
there’s a way to do it
— on your own or with
help from other caring
people — it can help to
leave old hurtful
situations behind and
open you up to writing
a new, happier story.
× They Enjoy Their
Work.
Adults tend to spend a
lot of time working.
Think of the people you
know who really enjoy
what they do. Their
work likely involves
personal strengths and
interests, a good
indicator of what works
for the happiest people.
The people who are
most miserable at work
may talk about it more
often, and they need to
get that out.
But I really love talking
to people who are
happy with their
careers. It tends to
spill over into a
happier life. Makes
sense.
× They Help Others.
Ever notice that those
tearjerker Facebook
videos that you just
“have to watch right
now” usually involve
someone doing
something nice for
someone else? Some of
the happiest people are
focused on helping
others. As early as
the toddler years,
giving and helping are
found to increase
happiness in the giver
as well as the getter.
Helping others is a
self-esteem booster; it
just feels good to do
good. And when the
focus is on helping
someone else, it’s hard
to focus on the things
that may be bringing
us down. Double win.
× They Believe in
Something.
The happiest people
often have meaning in
their lives from a
larger purpose than the
daily grind. Whether
it’s a traditional
religious practice or a
more general spiritual
framework for life, time
spent in nature, or
service to a cause,
people with a purpose
tend to be happier.
An organization, a
faith, or a belief
system can provide a
support system for a
person in stressful
times, a daily structure
for living, and a
broader idea of the
purpose of life and her
place in it
× They Have Good,
Healthy
Relationships.
Research shows time
and time again that
strong personal
relationships are a key
to happiness — more
than income, race, age,
or gender. The happiest
people have people in
their lives — partners,
children, friends,
colleagues, and
extended family — who
consistently provide
mutual support,
companionship, and
social activities.
They can avoid
loneliness and
isolation, and have
opportunities for
connection and service
on a regular basis.
Happy people like to
hang with happy
people, and they can
make each other even
happier. It would be
gross if it weren’t so
awesome.
And that’s all
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View Comments
All you have said or written is actually very true. Because happy people don't struggle too much to be happy. The simple things in life are what make us or keep us happy. Most of us struggle with practically everything, we never take the time to enjoy the simple things in life. We tend to think that when we struggle we will be more happy and relaxed. But that's not true. Taking time to rest from your everyday work or routine is very important. Then we also need to take time to do what we love to do, that will bring fulfilment in our lives and also cause us to be happy. We can make so much out of that. This is something that i have experienced myself. Whenever I do stuff that i like I am always happy and i can work for hours and not get bored. So i actually agree with you on this topic makes all is sense for real.