How To Be Happy In 6 Simple Steps

How To Be Happy In 6 Simple Steps

via Forbes by Sarah Jeanne Browne

“The most important thing is to enjoy your life, to be happy. It’s all that matters.” —Audrey Hepburn

You can choose to be happy right here, right now, as you are. It’s not an easy choice, but it’s worth it. You can find happiness by not looking for it, by simply Being and appreciating the moment. You can find happiness by finding what you most value, what you most care about and going for that. The point is that you can find it, that it is possible.

Happiness is about perception. It’s seeing the glass as half full and reaching for that fullness. It is a mindset that can turn it all around. The aim of anyone is to be happy. After all, what else is it all for?

Here are 6 simple steps to being happy:

1) Practice Positive Reframing

Positive reframing is changing the way you think to be more positive. It’s taking a negative thought and challenging it. For example, it’s identifying a cognitive distortion such as overgeneralizing, mind reading, catastrophic thinking and more (full list Here) and asking yourself- what is the purpose behind this thought? Usually, the thought’s intent is to protect you and what you want. So, what do you want? Find a more productive thought or goal towards the outcome you want. Replace the negative thought through reframing. 

This is cognitive behavioral therapy, where you take a thought and break it down and try to make it more positive. Set the intention for yourself with a new more positive thought, rather than letting your mind go into default and derail you. You can do this with any thought and any situation.

If you are stuck in traffic and think, “Everything is always like this or horrible,” you’re overgeneralizing. Instead, think, “This is inconvenient, but I know life is still good because…” Fill in the blanks with what motivates you towards happiness. Then, reframing will lead you to peace.

Positive reframing questions you may also ask yourself for some healthy self-talk are:

  • What good can I take from this situation?
  • How can I use what I have?
  • What lessons are there that I’ve learned?
  • What way can I give to someone else in this situation?
  • What do I have to look forward to?

Reframing is simply rethinking. This time, instead of letting your negative thoughts take over, you decide what you think. If you find the good, you will create more of it.

2) Evaluate your negativity bias

A negativity bias means that you have a tendency to focus on the negative more than the positive. Negative events or memories take precedence in your mind over positive ones. Negative emotions overwhelm positive emotions. Negative self talk is the norm before you talk to yourself with self-compassion. Criticism is considered more than kindness. You respond more strongly to negative events and discount the positive. So, what can be done about this? Recognize this about yourself, and know that everyone can be more naturally negative; You must purposefully find the positive. Aundi Kolber, therapist and author of Try Softer, says, “emotions give us information- not identity.” 

If you are experiencing negativity, know that you may not be seeing everything. There is more to the story; there is more to you.

3) Savor the simple things

If happiness is rooted in anything, it is appreciation. Appreciation of what you have, where you’ve come from, what you love, what’s around you. And you’ll find it starts with the simple things that can make a difference the most…

… keep reading the full & original article HERE

#happiness #happy #happier #psychology #positivepsychology #joy