We are all susceptible to feeling down every now and again, but we are all equipped with the necessary solutions that just have to be discovered.

The main philosophy employed by the happiest includes the idea that life’s simply too short: life is too short to let things get you down, to take things for granted, to pursue absolute and unrealistic perfection.

For some, employing these characteristics is a second nature – they do it without knowing. For others, a conscious effort must be put forth every now and again. Self-Awareness is key factor that plays major role in achieving happiness.

Here are some reasons why people are happy inside and out: 

1. They Manage Their Expectations

They’re not crushed when they don’t get what they want – or misled into expecting to get the most out of every situation. They approach every situation pragmatically, hoping for the best but being prepared for the worst.

2. They Do not Set Unrealistic Standards

Similar to the last point, they don’t live their lives in a constant pursuit towards impossible visions of perfection, only to always find themselves falling short of what they want.

3. They Do not Take Anything for Granted

Happiness rests with feeling fulfilled – those who fail to stop and appreciate what they have every now and again will never experience true fulfillment.

4. They are Not Materialistic

There are arguing viewpoints on whether or not money can really buy happiness; if it can, then we know from experience that we can never be satisfied because there will always be something newer or better that we want. Who has ever had enough money?

5. They Do not Dwell

They don’t sweat the small things or waste time worrying about things that don’t really matter at the end of the day. They don’t let negative thoughts latch onto them and drain them or distract them. Life’s too short to worry.

6. They Enjoy the Little Things

They stop to smell the roses. They’re accustomed to find serenity when it’s available, to welcome entertainment or a stimulating discussion with a stranger when it crosses their path. They don’t overlook the small things in life that can be just as important.

7. They Can Adapt

They’re not afraid of change and they work to make the most out of new circumstances, good or bad. They thrive under pressure, are not overwhelmed easily and always embrace a change of pace.

8. They Experiment

They try new things, experience new flavors and never shy away from something they have yet to experience. They never order twice from the same menu.

9. They Take Their Time

They do not unnecessarily rush through life. They work on their own schedule to the extent that they can and maneuver through life at their own relaxing pace.

10. They Employ Different Perspectives

They’re not stuck in one perspective; a loss can result in a new opportunity, hitting rock bottom can mean that there’s nowhere to go but up.

11. They Seek to Learn

Their constant pursuit of knowledge keeps them inspired and interested in life. They cherish information and are on a life-long quest to learn as much as they can.

12. They Always Have a Plan

They don’t find themselves drifting without purpose. When something doesn’t go as planned, they have a plan for every letter in the alphabet to fall back on.

13. They Give Respect to Get It

They are respectful and, in turn, are seen as respectable; the respect they exude earns them the respect they deserve.

14. They Consider Every Opportunity

They always have their eyes open for a new road, a new avenue worth exploring. They know how to recognize opportune moments and pounce on them to make the most of every situation. Success is inevitable for them.

15. They Always Seek to Improve

Perpetual self-improvement is the key towards their ongoing thirst for success. Whatever it is they do, they take pride in getting better and better, from social interactions to mundane tasks. Their pursuit at being the best eventually materializes.

16. They Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

They’re not ones to get offended easily over-analyze or complicate matters. They laugh at their own faults and misfortunes.

17. They Live in the Moment

They don’t live for tomorrow or dwell on what may have happened yesterday. Every day is a new opportunity, a new chapter. They live in the now, and in doing so, get the most out of every moment.

18. They Say Yes

Much more often than they say no. They don’t have to be badgered to go out, don’t shy away from new opportunities or anything that may seem inconvenient.

19. They are Self-Aware

Most important, they are wholly aware of themselves. They self-reflect and are conscious of their states of mind. If something bothering them, they fix it.

Lack of confidence, inability to feel fulfilled, and susceptibility to stress are all matters that can be controlled through the way we handle our lives and perceive our circumstances.

How one can achieve happiness?

Cultivate optimism: Winners have the ability to manufacture their own optimism. People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times..

Avoid over-thinking and social comparison: Comparing yourself to someone else can be poisonous. If we are somehow “better” than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, it gives us an unhealthy sense of superiority.  Ego inflates.  If we are “worse” than the person that we’re comparing ourselves to, we usually discredit the hard work that we’ve done and dismiss all the progress that we’ve made. If you feel called to compare yourself to something, compare yourself to an earlier version of yourself.

Practice acts of kindness:   Performing an act of kindness releases serotonin in the brain. (Serotonin is a substance that has good health benefits, including making us feel more blissful.) Selflessly helping someone is a super powerful way to feel good inside. What is even cooler about this kindness kick is that not only will you feel better, but so will people watching the act of kindness.

Keep good relationships: The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships. Surround yourself with accomplished people and stay positive with your thoughts. Participating in healthy discussion, understanding various subjects and visiting places with friends and families bring happiness. We also feel connected and a part of something more meaningful than our lonesome existence.

Develop strategies for coping:  How you respond to the “craptastic” moments is what shapes your character. Sometimes crap happens — it  is inevitable. It can be hard to come up with creative solutions in the moment when manure is making its way up toward the fan. Talk to people whom you trust and understand what happened, why it happened and let it go.

Learn to forgive: Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being.  Mind doesn’t know the difference between past and present emotion. When you “hate” someone, and you’re continuously thinking about it, those negative emotions are toxic for your well-being. If you cannot stand someone, don’t hate them but politely avoid them and maintain a distance. Do not rent your mind to someone who does not deserve it.

Increase flow experiences:  Flow is a state in which it feels like time stands still. It is when you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you become one with the task. Action and awareness are merged. You’re not hungry, sleepy, or emotional. You are just completely engaged in the activity that you’re doing. Nothing is distracting you or competing for your focus.

Commit to your goals: Being wholeheartedly dedicated to doing something comes fully-equipped with an ineffable force. Magical things start happening when we commit ourselves to doing whatever it takes to get somewhere. When you’re fully committed to doing something, you have no choice but to do that thing.

Practice spirituality:  When we practice spirituality or religion, we recognize that life is bigger than us. We surrender the silly idea that we are the mightiest thing ever. It enables us to connect to the source of all creation and embrace a connectedness with everything that exists.

Take care of your body:  Taking care of your body is crucial to being the happiest person you can be. If you don’t have your physical energy in good shape, then your mental energy (your focus), your emotional energy (your feelings), and your spiritual energy (your purpose) will all be negatively affected Did you know that studies conducted on people who were clinically depressed showed that consistent exercise raises happiness levels . Do zumba, yoga, Nritya and any other activities that helps to keep mind calm and happy.

References:

1. http://99u.com/
2. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
3. http://www.joyfuldays.com/

Image courtesy: Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay