A growing body of research also suggests that happiness can improve your physical health. Feelings of positivity and contentment benefit cardiovascular health, the immune system, inflammation levels, and blood pressure, among other things.
Happiness has even been linked to a longer lifespan—providing more years to continue striving for fulfilment.
What defines happiness in your life does not always define happiness in another person’s life. It much depends on your values and belief systems and is not necessarily about achieving quick wins through social events, recreation activities, money, holidays etc. It is about freeing yourself from the burdens that hold you down… Otherwise known as the ego. Research shows that much of happiness is under personal control.
The ego is the part of us that is always self-conscious and wants to be in control. It comes from a place within that is totally absorbed with our safety, reputation, personal interest, and survival.
“The ego represents what we call reason and sanity, in contrast to the id which contains the passions.” (Sigmund Freud, 1923, From The Ego and the Id)
The ego was developed during our early years and was formed based on our experiences good and bad. The patterns created in our unconscious mind are managed by the ego and they determine how we respond to the world around us. In good use the ego can stop us making irrational and dangerous decisions. It can be our friend, our protector. However, it can also prevent us making great decisions and living our true purpose as it creates, fear, anxiety, stress. We fight with our ego consistently and it depletes your energy.
Once you are aware of the sabotaging effects of the ego you can then start batting it on the head and doing what you want not what you fear or are comfortable with. The ego isn’t going to go away. It is a fixed part of our personality. It is therefore necessary to get a handle on it and learn how to manage it. That way you can start to live a truly happy life.
Don’t worry be happy! The truth is that happiness is here for you.
Too many times I hear people focusing on ‘stuff’ that isn’t healthy…. Remember in my earlier posts I talked about ‘your word is your wand’, which essentially means what you speak externally and internally you create. What your focus on the most in your life becomes the reality of your life. You are the creator of your life and your happiness. It is within you already. All you have to do is dig deep and get it out from underneath all of that rubble that has landed on top. If you think about how easily negativity can manifest in your life… imagine how great it would be if you used that energy to focus on all of the nice things in your life… I’m sure you would find happiness would start to become much easier.
Happiness can be hard to feel at times, so don’t think there is something wrong with you if you don’t feel it. We all go through phases, and some people are just naturally happier than others, so try not to compare yourself with others. The truth is that happiness is here for you. Barton Goldsmith Ph.D author of Emotional Fitness suggests using some techniques below which will allow you to feel more of it.
10 Tips for Happiness
- Reach out to others. You may have good people in your life but have been out of touch?
- Remember that happiness is an inside job- don’t depend on other people being responsible for your happiness. It is down to you
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you are relying on one set of circumstances or person to make you happy, it probably won’t happen. You need to broaden your scope of friends and activities. Also, know that engaging in new adventures creates brain chemicals that add to your happiness.
- Trust your gut. When we go against our instincts, and it backfires, we usually feel sad. Let your intuition guide you toward people and things that will make your life better.
- Most books on happiness say that meditation is key, but most people don’t know even how to get started. There are classes all over the place, CDs, downloads, and websites—and you can also try just being nature.
- Organize your thoughts. When you keep everything in your head, it can be difficult to get the perspective you need. Try making lists of the things that seem too big to manage on your own. You may find that you can do most of these things on your own and that the list isn’t as long as you thought, but if you need help, ask for it.
- Stay away from people who bring you down. Many people don’t recognize that they are making life difficult for others.
- Look at the big picture. Look at your life as a whole—not just the bad parts.
- Value your values. When you know what works and what doesn’t, it can make your life a whole lot easier. The important thing to remember is to not lose sight of your values when life becomes a roller coaster. Keeping your values strong will help create happiness.
- Play more. Sometimes we get so involved in doing our lives and problem solving that we forget to take time to have some fun. You may have to block out a day for fun in your calendar. But the important thing is to have a little joy every day to keep you going and growing
Do at least one thing today to make you and someone else smile
Bring the joy back into your life
