The 3 Things To Do Every Day for Sustainable Happiness and Joy
Everything starts with a choice that you will have to make consciously.
We all have a different definition of happiness and joy. However, whatever your definition, I am sure you will agree with me if I tell you that happiness and joy are not things that will just happen to you one morning when you wake up.
Happiness and joy are feelings that you will have to choose. You are going to have to make the choice one day to see the glass half full rather than the glass half empty in your life. This will only be the first initial step that will set you in the right direction for everything else.
From that point on, you will have to work every day to develop your happiness and joy. Only by doing this constant work will you be able to live a happy, joy-filled life sustainably. It's not easy, but that's why it's so valuable.
To help you build this happiness in your life, I see 3 things you will need to do daily. These three things will help you to take the good side of life in all circumstances. You will appreciate the good times, as well as take a step back to accept the more difficult times that are also part of life. Without these moments, you wouldn't be able to appreciate the others.
Gratitude
You cannot be happy if you are not able to appreciate what you have at any given moment. Gratitude is not something that most people have innately. So it is something to cultivate. Every day, you should take a moment to reflect on what you appreciate in your life. Appreciate what you have already accomplished, express gratitude for what you have.
This may seem trivial, but it is something that will help you to put into perspective any more difficult moments you may be going through. Appreciation and gratitude are the doors to lasting happiness. It's up to you to open those doors every day.
Altruism
Many people live a self-centered life. Their ego guides them. This lifestyle usually leads to burnout and loneliness. In contrast, several scientific studies have shown that people who regularly engage in altruistic activities are much happier most of the time. The joy you get from helping others spontaneously, without seeking to benefit, is priceless.
Genuine acts of kindness will help you every day to increase your joy by better appreciating your opportunity to live this life. A life to which you would bring an extra soul through your altruism.
Meditation
The final practice I recommend daily to develop lasting happiness and joy is meditation. Many people doubt the value of meditation. To be quite honest with you, I used to be one of them. Then one day, after my life had reached such a stressful level that I could not find a way out, I decided to try meditation.
It didn't seem revolutionary at first, I must admit. But I continued for 30 days to measure the benefits that it could bring me. Since then, I have never stopped, and I have managed to reduce my stress amazingly. I didn't think it would work this well, but it's something I can't live without anymore.
Just giving myself a break in my day to refocus on myself, while breathing deeply helps me to relax. Without the stress of our lives, I have noticed a significant improvement in my happiness. Indeed, once you manage to reduce your stress, you will see that you will be able to have life on the good side in a much easier way.
So I have only one piece of advice to give you concerning meditation: try it for at least 30 days, and you will see that you will never go back.