We made it!
2020 is finally behind us and we’re all set to make this new year an absolute
success. We’ve had our ups and downs, we’ve spent our days getting bored (to
the point of getting depressed), and we’ve powered through it all, somehow.
Now its time to make some
changes, so 2020 never happens again. Yes, the pandemic isn’t in our control,
but happiness can be.
#1 COMMUNICATE
Why
does it make you happy?
Research has shown that one major
thing that makes people happy is belongingness. And to feel a part of a
community, a family or to any relationship, you need to communicate. Often, we
end up ‘talking’ and ‘hearing’ rather than ‘sharing a conversation’.
How
to do it?
Its simple really: Talk about
your feelings, listen attentively, and appreciate often. The way you converse
with others comes back to you. So, if you want to be heard and praised,
reciprocate first.
#2 HELP
Why
does it make you happy?
Have you ever felt utmost
happiness while watching a movie, for instance when the characters win
something, or good luck befalls them? Others’ happiness makes you happy; which
is why when you go out of the way to help someone, their happy faces bring
tears of joy to yours.
How
do you do it?
Again, its very simple. You can
make someone’s day by either directly offering help or making them feel better
on a bad day with some gifts or flowers. I’m sure you do this already, just go
big this year.
#3 STAY PRESENT
Why
does it make you happy?
People tend to revisit their
past, mostly regrets, and trying to rewrite something that’s already happened
and won’t change; or they worry about their future, something they have no
control over. Happy people, instead, live in the present. They work, they play,
and they live life to their fullest without any baggage or stress.
How
do you do it?
Practice. This one’s a
difficult task, as they say that the past and future forever haunt us.
Mindfulness, or being completely aware of everything that is currently around
us, helps a lot. Try it out.
#4 PAMPER YOURSELF
Why
does it make you happy?
Your body is a gift of nature
and every part of it needs and deserves attention and care. The theory is
simple – you know how people who love their cars, wash it and care for it
incessantly? Caring for your body makes you love yourself more.
How
to do it?
Look after yourself. From your
basic needs of eating (right & on time), drinking (staying hydrated) and
breathing (slowly and peacefully), to other more complex ways of pampering
yourself like exercising, dancing and making yourself the most beautiful version
of you.
#5 SET GOALS
Why
does it make you happy?
When you don’t have any goals –
whether short-term or long – it makes you uncertain, confused and stressed.
It’s also unhealthy to keep changing your goals. Commit to one and work your
hardest to fulfill it. Achieving even the smallest of accomplishments brings
you happiness.
How
to do it?
Maintain one long-term goal and
work up to that with daily, short-term plans. Moreover, ensure while setting up
these goals, that the outcome will truly bring you happiness.
#6 TAKE BREAKS
Why
does it make you happy?
People often dive deep into
their goals, forgetting the other parts of their happiness. If you indulge into
work too much, you won’t get the time to communicate,
help others, stay present or even pamper yourself. So, take periodic
breaks so you can disconnect from obsessive tendencies and just relax.
How
to do it?
Vacations! Holiday with your
friends and family, or if you need, even travel solo to connect with yourself.
Make time for entertainment – watch movies, go out for a drink, play board
games, you know the drill.
#7 STOP COMPARING & SEEKING
APPROVALS
Why
does it make you happy?
You are unique. No two people
are alike. You can neither compare yourself with someone, nor can anyone be
exactly be on the same page as you to approve of what you do. Everyone has a
different story, a different lifestyle and what works for them may not work for
you. Working up to others’ expectations makes you unhappy and distressed.
How
to do it?
Work on your own self. Trust
your own conscience and believe in your strengths. Even if you find people who
don’t approve of what you do, you don’t need to let their opinions affect you.
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