GROWTH
HAPPY HABITS
Steps to Grow Your Happiness
Happiness is circular. Happy people have happy habits, which, in turn, makes them happier. Here’s a list of habits that have a high chance of giving you a happiness boost.
1. Savor the moment. Look around your
environment and take note of one thing that you often take for granted. Bring mindful attention and awareness to it. Try to engage all your senses. Notice the positive feelings and associations that go with it.
2. Connect with others. We are inherently
social and have a basic need for belonging. Having social support is a buffer in times of stress. Connecting with others can also help put problems in perspective; others can give you useful feedback.
3. Resolve conflicts proactively. Treat
emotional issues as temporary and solvable. Realize you can be kind without having people walk all over you.
4. Share gratitude and love. Express
gratitude to those who have made a difference in your life. Send a card. Write a letter. Visit in person.
5. Have fun and laugh. Laughter has been
shown to lower blood pressure, reduce certain stress hormones, defend against respiratory infections, increase memory and learning, improve alertness, and increase creativity.
6. Simplify. Too many things, too many
activities, too many choices—really too much of anything—can cause stress and decrease happiness.
7. Don’t compare. Remember that we
all have joys and sorrows. Too often we’re comparing how we feel on the inside to how someone else looks on the outside.
8. Live an authentic and meaningful life. Be true to yourself and live in line with your values. Ask yourself, What do I want in life? What small steps can I take to move in that direction? 30
THE GRAND SEASON • OCTOBER 2021
WWW.THEGRANDSEASON.COM
