Happiness Is A State Of Mind: 8 Ways To Develop It

 

Happiness is the ultimate quest; something all humans aspire to. You’d think that after thousands of years of existence we would've become better at figuring out a way to be happy and stay happy. So, why is happiness so hard to achieve, and why does it slip out of our hands so easily? Or is happiness a state of mind rather than something that's 'achieveable'? 

Personally, I’ve always wondered why some people seem happier than others, or why having a more positive mindset seems to come easier to them. As we go through life, we all have good and bad experiences – things that will shape us for ever – so why do we react so differently to that input?

In reality, science shows that happiness is partly determined by our genes. Researchers claim that happiness is 50 per cent dependent on genetics and just 10 per cent on personal circumstances (like our financial situation, relationships, career, etc.). That means the remaining 40 per cent is down to us, suggesting that happiness is a state of mind that can be reached through the right choices and attitude. 

As best-selling author and behavioural scientist Steve Maraboli was once quoted, “happiness is a state of mind; a choice, a way of living. It is not something to be achieved, it is something to be experienced.”

So, let’s look into how you can adjust your way of living and find happiness in everything you experience.

 

Happiness Is A State of Mind: 8 Top Tips

True happiness is not a temporary feeling that comes and goes, but rather something that guides our thoughts and our reactions to what happens in our lives. Many of our choices are automatic. This is how our brains work, and thank goodness for that, because otherwise we wouldn’t be able to function.

However, it’s in our power to make conscious choices to ensure that happiness is a state of mind in our everyday lives. Follow these 8 top tips to help develop a happy state of mind.
 

1. Trick your brain

Yes, you can fool your brain into thinking that happiness is a state of mind with one single gesture: a smile. Indeed, there are several studies showing that smiling sends positive feedback to the brain, even when you're forcing it! This is because the brain can pick up cues from our body to generate certain moods by releasing a bunch of feel-good hormones.

Other studies show that smiling calms us down by slowing our heart rate. So, simply putting on a grin can improve your mood at times when you need it the most.


Stay smiling! Happiness is a state of mind

 

2. Count your blessings

It’s easy – and natural – to focus on what we don’t have and think we’ll be happy when we get it. Instead, think about the things you already do have that make life precious. And don’t just think about them, write them down.

If you haven’t started a gratitude journal, this is the time to do so. Writing therapy can help solidify your appreciation for the good things in life and make you more aware of thought patterns that interfere with a happy mindset. Happiness is a state of mind when you feed your brain positive thoughts, and gratitude is a scientifcally-proven place to start. 

 

3. Start your day the right way

Instead of starting the day in a rush, set the alarm 10 or 15 minutes before your usual wake up time and get in an early morning meditation session. With practice, an early mediation session will give you greater clarity, so you can appreciate the best things in life and become stronger in the face of adversity.

RELATED: 9 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation

There are many useful meditation techniques, but mindfulness meditation is particularly good at training your brain to perceive that happiness is a state of mind.

 

4. Change perspective

Some years ago, I went through a rough patch and hated everything. The gloomy British weather didn’t make things any easier: the lack of colour and sunlight got the worst of me and magnified other problems I was struggling with.

So, one day I got on a plane to visit relatives, and a few minutes after taking off we pushed through clouds and suddenly I was floating in a sunny, peaceful space. All I had to do to be in a different world was gain altitude.

 

“You can trick your brain into thinking that happiness is a state of mind with one single gesture: a smile.”

 

The metaphor is obvious: looking at things from a different “altitude” can make us perceive the world in a different way. It may take lots of practice, but once you get good at it, you’ll realise that happiness is a state of mind that sometimes relies on you changing perspective.
 

RELATED: When Life Gives You Lemons, Try Lemonading!

 

5. Find and give support

Isolation and loneliness are all around us and can make us feel miserable, even when we have reasons to be joyful. We may not feel like socialising when we feel down, but don’t shut the doors to those who care about you. Improving the quality of our interactions with others is a crucial step if you want to truly experience how happiness is a state of mind.

Sharing feelings can help us to build stronger bonds, feel supported, and create positive feedback loops in yourself and others. Why not plan exercise sessions with friends, or take up a new hobby together?

 

6. Do a kind act every day

A few months ago, a friend of mine was going through a difficult situation, but she didn’t want the circumstances to take over her life. She decided to go out every Tuesday and do something kind for others, even though she didn’t feel like leaving the house.

RELATED: Random acts of kindness – 22 ideas to spread happiness

She’s since become known as “Happy Tuesday lady”, and needless to say, her mental health has improved massively! And no wonder. Science shows that the power of kindness is real – being nice is proven to boost your mood, lower stress and reduce anxiety, among other benefits.

Showing kindness boosts happiness levels 

 

7. Find meaning and purpose

Many people go through life doing what they’re think they're supposed to be doing. But do the things you do bring you a sense of meaning or purpose? If not, you’re missing out on the path to happiness.

 

RELATED: Power of Purpose – Rediscover Your True Role in Life

One of the biggest joys in life is exploring and discovering what we’re here for and what we can contribute to the world – or at least, to those around us. Discovering how to find meaning in life will put you in a happy state of mind for sure. 

 

8. Cut down sources of unhappiness

A happy state of mind is something that must be nourished through happy habits, and spending too much time on social media is not on that list! For many people, social networks are a source of unhappiness and insecurity and can contribute to feelings of depression.

In fact, research shows that the constant need to compare our lives to other peoples’ lives creates a deep sense of dissatisfaction and makes us lose track of the blessings we already have.

 

The Takeaway: Happiness Is A State Of Mind

I won’t deny it: life's not easy and sometimes it’s plain challenging and frustrating. The work towards choosing happy is constant. It won’t happen overnight and you should be ready to fight setbacks. Facing obstacles along the way doesn’t mean there’s no hope or you’re losing the battle.

Even in tough times, you can build the resources you need to experience that happiness is a state of mind. Like writer and personal development expert Dale Carnegie said, “it isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy, it's what you think about it.” ●

Images shutterstock/Rido, shutterstock/Dmytro Zinkevych