<\/p>\n

Many people spend their lives waiting to be happy. \u00a0You may think, \u201cif only I had more money,\u201d or \u201ccould lose weight,\u201d or you fill in the blank, then I would be happy.
\nWell here\u2019s a secret: you can be happy right now. It\u2019s not always easy, but you can choose to be happy, and in the vast majority of circumstances there\u2019s no one who can stop you except for yourself.<\/p>\n

The truth is, happiness doesn\u2019t come from wealth, perfect looks, or even a perfect relationship. Happiness comes from within. This is why, if you truly want to be happy, you need to work on yourself, first.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the secret to being happy? You can learn how to do it, just as you can learn any other skill. Those who are happy tend to follow a certain set of habits that create peace in their lives; if you learn to apply these habits in your own life, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be happy too.<\/p>\n

The featured article compiled 22 such behaviors that you can use to enhance your life and your happiness.<\/b><\/p>\n

1. Let Go Of Grudges<\/b><\/p>\n

Forgiving and forgetting are necessary for your own happiness, as holding a grudge means you\u2019re also holding onto resentment, anger, hurt, and other negative emotions that are standing in the way of your own happiness. Letting go of a grudge frees you from negativity and allows more space for positive emotions to fill in.<\/p>\n

2. Treat Everyone With Kindness<\/b><\/p>\n

Kindness is not only contagious but it\u2019s also proven to make you happier. When you\u2019re kind to others, your brain produces feel-good hormones and neurotransmitters like serotonin and you\u2019re able to build strong relationships with others, fostering positive feelings all around.<\/p>\n

3. Regard Your Problems As Challenges<\/b><\/p>\n

Change your internal dialogue so that anytime you have a \u201cproblem\u201d you view it as a challenge or a new opportunity to change your life for the better. Eliminate the word \u201cproblem\u201d from your mind entirely.<\/p>\n

4. Express Gratitude For What You Have<\/b><\/p>\n

People who are thankful for what they have are better able to cope with stress, have more positive emotions, and are better able to reach their goals. The best way to harness the positive power of gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal or list, where you actively write down exactly what you\u2019re grateful for each day. Doing so has been linked to happier moods, greater optimism, and even better physical health.<\/p>\n

5. Dream Big<\/b><\/p>\n

Go ahead and dream big, as you\u2019ll be more likely to accomplish your goals. Rather than limiting yourself, when you dream big you\u2019re opening your mind to a more optimistic, positive state where you have the power to achieve virtually anything you desire.<\/p>\n

6. Don\u2019t Sweat The Small Stuff<\/b><\/p>\n

If the issue you\u2019re mad about will be irrelevant a year, a month, a week, or even a day from now, why sweat it? Happy people know how to let life\u2019s daily irritations roll off their backs.<\/p>\n

7. Speak Well of Others<\/b><\/p>\n

It may be tempting to gather around the office water cooler to get and give the daily gossip, but talking negatively about others is like taking a bath in negative emotions; your body soaks them up. Instead, make it a point to only say positive, nice words about other people, and you\u2019ll help foster more positive thinking in your own life as well.<\/p>\n

8. Avoid Making Excuses<\/b>
\nIt\u2019s easy to blame others for your life\u2019s failures, but doing so means you\u2019re unlikely to rise past them. Happy people take responsibility for their mistakes and missteps, then use failure as an opportunity to change for the better.<\/p>\n

9. Live in The Present<\/b>
\nAllow yourself to be immersed in whatever it is you\u2019re doing right now, and take time to really be in the present moment. Avoid replaying past negative events in your head or worrying about the future; just savor what\u2019s going on in your life now.<\/p>\n

10. Wake Up At The Same Time Every Morning<\/b>
\nGetting up at the same time every day (preferably an early time) is deceptively simple. Doing so will help regulate your circadian rhythm so you\u2019ll have an easier time waking and likely feel more energized. Plus, the habit of rising early every day is one shared by many successful people, as it enhances your productivity and focus.<\/p>\n

11. Don\u2019t Compare Yourself To Others<\/b><\/p>\n

Your life is unique, so don\u2019t measure your own worth by comparing yourself to those around you. Even regarding yourself as better than your peers is detrimental to your happiness, as you\u2019re fostering judgmental feelings and an unhealthy sense of superiority. Measure your own success based on your progress alone, not that of others.<\/p>\n

12. Surround Yourself With Positive People<\/b><\/p>\n

The saying \u201cmisery loves company\u201d is entirely true. That\u2019s why you need to choose friends who are optimistic and happy themselves, as you will be surrounded with positive energy.<\/p>\n

13. Realize That You Don\u2019t Need Others\u2019 Approval<\/b><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to follow your own dreams and desires without letting naysayers stand in your way. It\u2019s fine to seek others\u2019 opinions, but happy people stay true to their own hearts and don\u2019t get bogged down with the need for outside approval.<\/p>\n

14. Take Time To Listen<\/b><\/p>\n

Listening helps you soak in the wisdom of others and allows you to quiet your own mind at the same time. Intense listening can help you feel content while helping you gain different perspectives.<\/p>\n

15. Nurture Social Relationships<\/b><\/p>\n

Positive social relationships are a key to happiness, so be sure you make time to visit with friends, family, and your significant other.<\/p>\n

16. Meditate<\/b><\/p>\n

Meditation helps you keep your mind focused, calms your nerves, and supports inner peace. Research shows it can even lead to physical changes in your brain that make you happier.<\/p>\n

17. Eat Well<\/b><\/p>\n

What you eat directly impacts your mood and energy levels in both the short and long term. Whereas eating right can prime your body and brain to be in a focused, happy state, eating processed junk foods will leave you sluggish and prone to chronic disease. My free nutrition plan is an excellent tool to help you choose the best foods for both physical and emotional wellness.<\/p>\n

18. Exercise<\/b><\/p>\n

Exercise boosts levels of health-promoting brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which may help buffer some of the effects of stress and also relieve some symptoms of depression. Rather than viewing exercise as a medical tool to lose weight, prevent disease, and live longer \u2013 all benefits that occur in the future \u2013 try viewing exercise as a daily tool to immediately enhance your frame of mind, reduce stress and feel happier.<\/p>\n

19. Live Minimally<\/b><\/p>\n

Clutter has a way of sucking the energy right out of you and replacing it with feelings of chaos. Clutter is an often-unrecognized source of stress that prompts feelings of anxiety, frustration, distraction, and even guilt, so give your home and office a clutter makeover, purging it of the excess papers, files, knick-knacks, and other \u201cstuff\u201d that not only takes up space in your physical environment but also in your mind.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

20. Be Honest<\/b><\/p>\n

Every time you lie, your stress levels are likely to increase and your self-esteem will crumble just a little bit more. Plus, if others find out you\u2019re a liar it will damage your personal and professional relationships. Telling the truth, on the other hand, boosts your mental health and allows others to build trust in you.<\/p>\n

21. Establish Personal Control<\/b><\/p>\n

Avoid letting other people dictate the way you live. Instead, establish personal control in your life that allows you to fulfill your own goals and dreams, as well as a great sense of personal self-worth.<\/p>\n

22. Accept What Cannot Be Changed<\/b><\/p>\n

Everything in your life is not going to be perfect, and that\u2019s perfectly all right. Happy people learn to accept injustices and setbacks in their life that they cannot change, and instead put their energy into changing what they can control for the better.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Source: Dr. Mercola – http:\/\/articles.mercola.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many people spend their lives waiting to be happy. \u00a0You may think, \u201cif only I had more money,\u201d or \u201ccould lose weight,\u201d or you fill in the blank, then I would be happy. Well here\u2019s a secret: you can be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10917,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[31,35],"tags":[48,45,57,70,65],"yoast_head":"\n