Happiness isn’t some elusive treasure we’re all hunting for. It’s within our grasp every single day, if we just know where to look.
Hello, I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit and an enthusiast of mindfulness and Buddhism. I firmly believe in the power of tiny, daily habits that can drastically uplift your mood.
Psychology backs me up on this. There are proven small habits that you can incorporate into your daily routine that can help you feel happier, every single day.
In this article, I’ll share with you 8 of these habits to help you unlock a more joyful version of yourself. Step by step and day by day, you’ll grow happier without even realizing it.
Let’s get started.
1) Begin your day with mindfulness
Now, let’s start at the very beginning of your day. How you wake up and spend your first few moments can set the tone for the rest of your day.
Psychology suggests that incorporating mindfulness into your morning routine can significantly enhance your daily happiness.
What is mindfulness, you ask? It’s simply the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment. Not fretting over past regrets or future worries, but being right here, right now.
You see, our minds tend to dwell on past experiences or anticipate future ones. But when we’re mindful, we’re focusing on the present. And the present moment is where true happiness lies.
How about starting your day with a simple mindfulness practice? It could be a few minutes of quiet meditation, savoring your morning coffee without distractions, or just taking in the sounds and sights of a new day.
It’s not about having a perfect zen moment. It’s about starting your day on a positive note and training your mind to stay present. And this simple habit can make you happier every single day.
Just remember, it’s not about doing it perfectly, but about creating a daily routine of mindfulness for a happier you.
2) Practice gratitude intentionally
Gratitude is another small but profound habit that can significantly enhance your daily happiness.
As a mindfulness enthusiast myself, I’ve found the practice of intentional gratitude to be life-changing. And I’m not alone in this.
Here’s what Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Zen Master and mindfulness expert, has to say: “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.”
By practicing gratitude, we shift our focus away from what’s wrong in our lives and instead appreciate what’s going right. It could be as simple as being thankful for the food on your plate or the roof over your head.
Each day, make it a habit to list down or mentally note three things you’re grateful for. It doesn’t matter how big or small they are. What matters is that you’re cultivating a mindset of abundance and positivity.
Practicing intentional gratitude won’t erase your problems, but it will help you face them with a more positive outlook. After all, happiness isn’t the absence of suffering, but the ability to find joy amidst it.
3) Embrace impermanence
This might sound a bit counterintuitive when we’re talking about happiness, but stick with me here.
Impermanence is a fundamental principle in Buddhism. It’s the understanding that everything in this life – including life itself – is transient and ever-changing.
Recognizing and embracing impermanence can have a profound impact on your daily happiness. Why? Because often, our suffering comes from clinging to things we want to stay the same or fretting over changes we can’t control.
When you accept that change is inevitable, you release yourself from the stress of trying to hold onto the unholdable. You learn to appreciate what you have while you have it, without fear of losing it.
Nothing lasts forever. Not your troubles, not your joys. This understanding allows us to appreciate the good times and endure the bad ones with grace.
Impermanence isn’t a bleak concept, but a liberating one. Embrace it, and you’ll find a deeper level of happiness in your everyday life.
4) Practice mindful breathing
Here’s a simple truth: Wherever you go, your breath follows. It’s the most constant companion you have, and yet, how often do we really pay attention to it?
Mindful breathing is a technique that brings your full attention to the experience of breathing. It’s not about changing or controlling your breath, but simply observing it.
Practicing mindful breathing can help to calm your mind and bring you back to the present moment. This can be especially helpful during stressful times when our minds are often scattered and full of worries.
It’s amazing how such a simple act can have such a profound impact on our mood and wellbeing. But don’t just take my word for it. Spend a few moments each day focusing on your breath, and see for yourself.
Mindfulness isn’t about achieving a state of eternal bliss. It’s about being fully present in each moment, breath by breath. And within those moments, you’ll find countless opportunities for happiness.
5) Adopt a minimalist mindset
We live in a world that often equates happiness with more: more money, more possessions, more success. But in my experience, less can actually be more when it comes to happiness.
In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego“, I delve into the Buddhist principle of non-attachment. This doesn’t mean giving up all your possessions and living under a tree. It’s about realizing that true happiness doesn’t come from external things, but from within.
Adopting a minimalist mindset means focusing on what truly matters in life and letting go of unnecessary distractions. It’s about appreciating what you have instead of constantly craving more.
Each day, try to let go of something that’s not serving you. It could be a material possession, a toxic relationship, or even a limiting belief.
By adopting this habit, you’ll create space for what truly brings you joy and fulfilment. And isn’t that what true happiness is all about?
6) Cultivate compassion
When we think about happiness, we often focus on our own. But did you know that extending compassion towards others can greatly enhance your own happiness?
Both Buddhism and mindfulness wisdom emphasize the practice of compassion – a deep understanding of others’ suffering with a desire to alleviate it.
But compassion isn’t just about grand gestures of kindness. It’s about empathy, understanding, and kindness in everyday interactions. It’s about listening to understand, not just to respond. It’s about acknowledging the server at the restaurant, the janitor at your office, or the homeless person on the street.
Cultivating compassion means recognizing that everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. It’s about treating others not as you want to be treated, but as they want to be treated.
Practicing compassion won’t just make others happier; it will make you happier too. Because at the end of the day, we’re all interconnected, and your happiness is linked with the happiness of others.
7) Practice acceptance
In life, things won’t always go the way we want them to. We might face disappointments, setbacks, and hardships. And it’s natural to resist these unpleasant experiences.
However, resistance only amplifies our suffering. As the mindfulness expert, Jon Kabat-Zinn, wisely said, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
Practicing acceptance doesn’t mean resigning ourselves to passivity. It means acknowledging our emotions and experiences as they are, without trying to change or avoid them.
When we accept our reality as it is, we stop struggling against things we can’t control. We find peace amidst chaos. And this peace can lead to a deeper form of happiness that’s not dependent on external circumstances.
When you’re faced with a situation you can’t change, try to accept it as it is. It might not be easy, but it’s a crucial step towards finding happiness in the face of adversity.
8) Embrace stillness
In our fast-paced, always-on society, doing nothing can seem counterproductive, even wasteful. But here’s a counterintuitive truth: Embracing stillness can make you happier.
Mindfulness teaches us the value of stillness. It’s in those quiet moments of reflection that we often find clarity, peace, and yes, happiness.
We’re often so caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life that we forget to just be. To sit quietly with our thoughts, to watch the sunset, to simply breathe.
Taking a few moments each day to embrace stillness can help you reconnect with yourself and what truly matters. It allows you to tune out the noise of the world and tune into your own inner wisdom.
Hhappiness isn’t just about doing more; it’s also about being more. So take some time each day just for being, and see how it impacts your happiness.
Conclusion
Happiness isn’t some grand destination to arrive at, but a journey that evolves with every step you take.
These habits can serve as guideposts on your journey towards a happier, more fulfilling life. They might seem simple, but their impact can be profound.
If you’re interested in delving deeper into the wisdom of mindfulness and Buddhism and learning how to live with maximum impact and minimum ego, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.
Remember, happiness is a choice, and it’s within your reach every single day. Here’s to cultivating these small habits and creating a happier you.
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