8 simple ways to be happier in life, according to psychology

Happiness is a choice, right? Well, not quite. It’s a lot more complex than just deciding to be cheery all the time.

It’s Lachlan Brown here, founder of Hack Spirit and a bit of a Buddhism enthusiast. I’ve spent years exploring the intricacies of happiness. And psychology has some pretty interesting things to say about it.

Psychology tells us that there are certain actions we can take to boost our happiness. All it takes is a bit of awareness and some commitment.

In this piece, I’ll be sharing 8 simple ways you can increase your happiness according to psychology. And no, none of them involve fake smiling or suppressing your feelings.

Let’s get started. 

1) Embrace mindfulness

Happiness, according to psychology, isn’t something that just happens. It’s a byproduct of certain life choices – and one of the most significant is mindfulness.

Mindfulness is a term you’ve probably heard thrown around quite a bit. Essentially, it’s the practice of being fully present in the moment, fully engaged with whatever we’re doing right now. And let me tell you, it can be amazingly powerful.

It’s no secret that our minds tend to wander. We’re often so caught up in worrying about the future or dwelling on the past that we forget to live in the present. And guess what? Research shows that this mental time travel can actually make us unhappy.

A study found that people spent nearly 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they were doing. The same study also found that doing so tends to make them unhappy.

But here’s the good news: mindfulness can help us break this cycle.

By training ourselves to focus on the present moment, we can reduce stress, improve our mood, and boost our overall happiness levels. It’s not always easy – trust me, I’ve been there – but with practice, anyone can become more mindful.

When you find your mind wandering, gently bring it back to the present. Take a deep breath, soak in your surroundings, and engage fully with the here and now. Your happiness may just depend on it.

2) Cultivate gratitude

Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. It’s about recognizing the good things in life and acknowledging everything that you have. As a mindfulness enthusiast, I’ve personally found that cultivating gratitude has a profound impact on my happiness levels.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to overlook the things we should be thankful for. But taking the time to appreciate what we have can shift our focus from what’s wrong with our lives to what’s right.

And it’s not just me saying this. Research backs it up too. Studies show that expressing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, reduced depression, and boosted satisfaction with life.

The famous Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.”

This quote resonates with me on many levels and I believe it encapsulates the essence of gratitude perfectly.

Cultivating gratitude doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as keeping a gratitude journal or mentally acknowledging something you’re grateful for each day.

3) Accept impermanence

If there’s one thing that Buddhism has taught me, it’s the concept of impermanence. And while it might initially appear disheartening, it’s a surprisingly powerful tool for happiness.

Impermanence is the idea that all things – including our own emotions and experiences – are transient. They’re here one moment, and gone the next. While this might seem scary, the beauty of it is that it reminds us that even our struggles are temporary.

In our darkest moments, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our pain will last forever. But that’s not true. Emotions come and go like waves on the shore. Just as happiness fades, so does sorrow.

Understanding and accepting this can provide a sense of relief during tough times. It helps us let go of negative emotions instead of clinging to them, which can often amplify our suffering.

No matter how hard things get, change is the only constant. Embrace it, and you’ll find a newfound appreciation for life’s highs and lows.

4) Practice self-compassion

In our quest for happiness, one of the biggest obstacles we often face is, ironically, ourselves. We are our own harshest critics, constantly picking apart our flaws and failures. But what if we took a different approach?

Enter self-compassion, a cornerstone of mindfulness. It’s about treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d show to a friend in distress.

In fact, a study found that there is a strong positive relationship between self-compassion and subjective happiness, and between self-compassion and psychological well-being. 

Often, we hold ourselves to unrealistically high standards and beat ourselves up when we fall short. But this only leads to more stress and unhappiness.

Instead, when we stumble – and we all do – mindfulness encourages us to respond with self-compassion. To acknowledge that it’s okay to make mistakes. That it’s okay to be imperfect.

Practicing self-compassion can lead to increased emotional well-being, lower levels of anxiety and depression, and a healthier attitude towards failure.

5) Learn to let go

Here’s something I’ve learned in my journey through mindfulness and Buddhism: holding onto things – whether it’s anger, regret, or even a sense of self – can weigh us down. It’s like carrying around a heavy backpack everywhere you go.

One of the key teachings I explore in my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, is the art of letting go. It’s about releasing the burdens we carry and learning to flow with life instead of against it.

When we let go, we free ourselves from mental constraints and open up to new possibilities. We become more adaptable, more resilient, and most importantly, happier.

Letting go isn’t always easy; it’s a skill that takes practice. But trust me, the freedom and peace it brings are well worth the effort.

When you find yourself clinging to something – be it a grudge, a past mistake, or even an outdated self-image – take a deep breath and let it go. Lighten your load and see how much easier the journey becomes.

6) Live in alignment with your values

We often chase after happiness as if it’s a destination, something to be reached. But what if happiness isn’t a place, but a path? A journey that unfolds when we live in alignment with our core values?

Both Buddhism and mindfulness teach us the importance of living authentically, in harmony with our true selves. But to do this, we first need to understand what our values are.

Values are our guiding principles, the things that matter most to us. They’re not goals or achievements, but rather ways of being and behaving.

Living in alignment with your values means acting in ways that reflect what’s most important to you. It’s about making choices that resonate with your inner self, even when they’re hard or uncomfortable.

When we live out of sync with our values, it creates internal tension and unease. But when we align our actions with our values, we create a sense of peace and fulfilment that fuels lasting happiness.

Take some time to figure out your core values. Once you’ve identified them, strive to live in accordance with them every day. It might not always be easy, but it’s a journey worth taking.

7) Foster meaningful connections

Let’s get real for a moment. We’re social creatures. No matter how independent we might like to think we are, deep down, we all crave connection.

And it’s not just a feel-good factor. Research shows that social connections can significantly boost our happiness levels. On the flip side, loneliness can have serious negative impacts on our mental health.

Buddhist teachings place a strong emphasis on community or ‘sangha’. It’s about fostering meaningful relationships and supporting each other on the path of enlightenment.

Famous mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn once said, “The little things? The little moments? They aren’t little.” This quote rings especially true when it comes to relationships. It’s often the small interactions, the shared moments of joy, laughter, and understanding, that truly enrich our lives.

Make time for your loved ones. Reach out to an old friend. Engage in your community. These connections are the threads that weave the fabric of a happy life.

8) Embrace discomfort

Now, this one might seem counterintuitive. How can embracing discomfort lead to happiness? Isn’t comfort what we all seek?

Well, here’s a mindfulness twist: By learning to sit with our discomfort, we can actually enhance our happiness.

Discomfort – be it physical, emotional, or mental – is a part of life. It’s not something we can avoid indefinitely. Often, our instinctive reaction to discomfort is to resist it, to push it away or distract ourselves from it.

But mindfulness teaches us a different approach. It encourages us to lean into the discomfort, to observe it without judgment.

When we do this, two things happen. First, we realize that discomfort is not as unbearable as we thought. Like everything else, it comes and goes. Second, we develop resilience. We learn that we’re stronger than we think, capable of handling whatever life throws our way.

Conclusion

Happiness is a journey, not a destination. It’s about making small, consistent changes to your mindset and lifestyle – changes that align with your inner self and promote wellbeing.

If you found this article helpful and want to delve deeper into these concepts, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It’s packed with insights and practical tips on how to live a more fulfilling, happier life.

Above all, remember to be patient with yourself. Change takes time. But trust me, every step you take on this path is a step towards a happier, more enlightened you. Keep going. You’ve got this!