21 Ways To Be A Happier You

Happiness is a state of mind. Sadly, all of us define attempt to triumphs/accomplishments that will make us happy.We tell ourselves that we will be happy when we get our job and promotion. We persuade ourselves to think that life will be better when we get married and complete our family. Once this is achieved, we try to convince that happiness will be ours only after the children are professionally settled and so on. We thus spend our lives waiting to be happy sometime in the future. Little do we realise that there is no better time to be happy than Right Now. Remember, life will continue to be full of challenges-we cannot let our triumph over these challenges determine our happiness

1.Smile Frequently:
We usually smile when we are happy. Studies prove that the converse is also true: smiling can actually make us feel better and help us to see the lighter side of things. Certainly, a smile makes us approachable.

2.Be Content:
Happiness is nothing but the ability to be content. It has little to do with what we possess materially. It has even less to do with achieving your self-determined goals in life. Contentment comes from enjoying life as we live it-hurdles and all-from day to day. See what you have, not what you lack. Secondly, limit your wants and needs. Our desires are insatiable, be it clothes, furniture, jewelry. As soon as one desire is fulfilled, another desire awakens. Limiting our desires will help us focus on things that we already have.

3.Live In The Present:
At any time during the day, pull yourself up. Try to recall what you were thinking for the past 10 minutes. It is very likely that you were either dwelling on past problems(how the other person was nasty to you or outsmarted you, etc) or worrying about future concerns in your life(we may not have our job, our children may no get admission in good schools and so on).Such thoughts leave us anxious and frustrated, and depressed. They take our minds off whatever we are doing and do not let us enjoy the present. Remember, "Now" is the only time we have and the only time that we have control over. Practice keeping your attention on the "here and now".

4.Plan Things You Can Look Forward To:Living life the same way everyday is boring. We need to sustain interest in our lives by doing new things. So, surprise your hubby with a tasty candlelight dinner one evening. Go out with your friends for a picnic lunch. Book tickets for a movie you have been wanting to see for a long time. If you sleep late every Sunday, try going for an early morning walk with your hubby, and have tea at a corner cafe. In short do anything that takes you away from routine and gives you something to look forward to-in the evening, the next day, over the weekend, or any time in the future.

5.Don't Try To Compete With Your Neighbours:
Most of us share a common tendency. It is that we compare ourselves with other people and their status or compare our accomplishments with those of others. When we feel short of successes, we work harder and push ourselves beyond the limit. Life thus begins and ends as a struggle to "prove ourselves". Jealousy takes a heavy toll on us. It hurts, confuses, dangers, depresses, humiliates, builds up stress, and leaves us feeling inadequate and inferior.

6. We Are What We Are:
We cannot be someone else. Don't try and covet someone else's perfect figure, looks, lovely hair, beautiful mansion, splendid jewelry, etc. Accept yourself the way you are. Everyone has unique strengths and challenges. Identify yours and set your goals for fulfilling your dreams.

7. It Is As It Is:
It is as it is. You cannot change what has happened. But you can accept it and go on with life considering the unforeseen twist of events. Be optimistic, try and see good even in bad. Optimism lowers stress, which decreases the risk of heart disease. Optimism makes us smile and be happy with the way things are.

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