“Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” —Abraham Lincoln
Is happiness a choice? Yes! Many happy people realize happiness is a choice and it’s up to them to intentionally choose it every single day.
Happy people are not held hostage by their circumstances and they do not seek happiness in people or possessions.
They understand that when we stop chasing the world’s definition of happiness, we begin to see the decision to experience happiness has been right in front of us all along. Research in the field of positive psychology continues to reinforce this understanding.
But simply knowing that happiness is a choice is not enough. Fully experiencing it still requires a conscious decision to choose happiness each day. How then might each of us begin to experience this joy?
How to Choose Happiness Today
Embrace one new action item, practice all of them, or simply use them as inspiration to discover your own. Here are 12 ways to choose happiness today:
1. Count your blessings. Happy people choose to focus on the positive aspects of life rather than the negative. They set their minds on specific reasons to be grateful. They express it when possible. And they quickly discover there is always, always, something to be grateful for.
2. Carry a smile. A smile is a wonderful beautifier. But more than that, studies indicate that making an emotion-filled face carries influence over the feelings processed by the brain. Our facial expression can influence our brain in just the same way our brains influence our face. In other words, you can actually program yourself to experience happiness by choosing to smile. Not to mention, all the pretty smiles you’ll receive in return for flashing yours is also guaranteed to increase your happiness level.
3. Speak daily affirmation into your life. Affirmations are positive thoughts accompanied with affirmative beliefs and personal statements of truth. They are recited in the first person, present tense (“I am…”). Affirmations used daily can release stress, build confidence, and improve outlook. For maximum effectiveness, affirmations should be chosen carefully, be based in truth, and address current needs. Here is a list of 100 daily affirmations to help you get started.
4. Wake up on your terms. Most of us have alarm clocks programmed because of the expectations of others: a workplace, a school, or a waking child. That’s probably not going to change. But that doesn’t mean we have to lose control over our mornings in the process. Wake up just a little bit early and establish an empowering, meaningful, morning routine. Start each day on your terms. The next 23 hours will thank you for it.
5. Hold back a complaint. The next time you want to lash out in verbal complaint towards a person, a situation, or yourself, don’t. Instead, humbly keep it to yourself. You’ll likely diffuse an unhealthy, unhappy environment. But more than that, you’ll experience joy by choosing peace in a difficult situation.
6. Practice one life-improving discipline. There is happiness and fulfillment to be found in personal growth. To know that you have intentionally devoted time and energy to personal improvement is one of the most satisfying feelings you’ll ever experience. Embrace and practice at least one act of self-discipline each day. This could be exercise, budgeting, or guided-learning… whatever your life needs today to continue growing. Find it. Practice it. Celebrate it.
7. Use your strengths. Each of us have natural talents, strengths, and abilities. And when we use them effectively, we feel alive and comfortable in our skin. They help us find joy in our being and happiness in our design. So embrace your strengths and choose to operate within your giftedness each day. If you need to find this outlet outside your employment, by all means, find this outlet.
8. Accomplish one important task. Because happy people choose happiness, they take control over their lives. They don’t make decisions based on a need to pursue joy. Instead, they operate out of the satisfaction they have already chosen. They realize there are demands on their time, helpful pursuits to accomplish, and important contributions to make to the world around them. Choose one important task that you can accomplish each day. And find joy in your contribution.
9. Eat a healthy meal/snack. We are spiritual, emotional, and mental beings. We are also physical bodies. Our lives cannot be wholly separated into its parts. As a result, one aspect always influences the others. For example, our physical bodies will always have impact over our spiritual and emotional well-being. Therefore, caring for our physical well-being can have significant benefit for our emotional standing. One simple action to choose happiness today is to eat healthy foods. Your physical body will thank you… and so will your emotional well-being.
10. Treat others well. Everyone wants to be treated kindly. But more than that, deep down, we also want to treat others with the same respect that we would like given to us. Treat everyone you meet with kindness, patience, and grace. The Golden Rule is a powerful standard. It benefits the receiver. But also brings growing satisfaction in yourself as you seek to treat others as you would like to be treated.
11. Meditate. Find time alone in solitude. As our world increases in speed and noise, the ability to withdraw becomes even more essential. Studies confirm the importance and life-giving benefits of meditation. So take time to make time. And use meditation to search inward, connect spiritually, and improve your happiness today.
12. Search for benefit in your pain. This life can be difficult. Nobody escapes without pain. At some point—in some way—we all encounter it. When you do, remind yourself again that the trials may be difficult, but they will pass. And search deep to find meaning in the pain. Choose to look for the benefits that can be found in your trial. At the very least, perseverance is being built. And most likely, an ability to comfort others in their pain is also being developed.
Go today. Choose joy and be happy. That will make two of us.
Lizza says
I appreciate encouraging posts like this. I think we all need a little encouragement, some days.
Debbie says
Scientific studies show that kindness changes our brain and can cure anxiety. I read a study, didn’t really believe it but thought I’d prove it wrong. It turned out to be true.
I’d been dealing with anxiety from a trauma. I started to pay attention to little kindnesses I did for others and increased the frequency. My anxiety started to lessen within a week.
It seems to simple to be true. Maybe that’s why it works.
Eleanor says
This article fit perfectly with my 2022 goals of self improvement. Several items within it made me realize that I was stepping correctly or, inspired me to step differently. Thank you.
widad says
Nice article.thanks
Thambi Thiaga says
….by deciding to help someone during this cover 19 time of life, I felt energized by the idea. Whatever we earn and save on this planet will be left here. Nobody can take it away.
Why not we share what we have here.
Sophia says
I agree with what say but being happy isn’t just about helping others, but helping and loving yourself too. Sure, it’s important to help others, but your mental and physical health is important too. Helping others makes you feel good but that doesn’t mean it makes you happy. You can help someone else and feel like “I’ve done something that helps the community”, but it doesn’t help your mental state. If you wish to be happy, you need to do what you love to do and what makes you happy. I don’t expect this to turn your point of view but I hope you take this into consideration. Take care!
Jay says
Love this post . So awesome . It reminds you to stay positive.
Susan says
This article reminds me of those who tell depressed people that they just need to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” I am all for trying to look for the good, and looking for areas where you can express gratitude, but this is just too simplistic.
Michael says
Susan,
This isn’t an article about how to cure depression. It’s simply a few tips on how to make your day a little brighter and how to train your conscious mind to operate in a positive manner. Quit overthinking everything and just be happy!
Paul.O says
I understand both sides.
When you are in a bad place
Its hard to pull out of it.
Although if you try and make even small changes it can have a huge impact
But I believe you have to be ready to accept and embrace the mental and physical Changes
There’s things in my past
That were unavoidable and Unchangeable
However now (many years later)
I am able to process things differently and in a more positive light,,,That i couldn’t do years ago
They say youth is wasted on the young..! and at 50 my mindset is tremendously different than at 25 or 35
It wasn’t until i hit 45 That I became and changed the Way i think and live
i cant explain it
but when others hit that sweet spot they get it as well
and we wish we had this mindset in our younger years because we’d all be millionaire’s and top athletes..!
😆
I run a mens mental health class
And no matter how much i try some people just dont get it and are not going to change no matter what because theyre just not in that ready to be anything other than mad.
And others in the group see it as well and everyone just shakes their head And hopes that they make it thru the negative emotions
Zoe says
I agree
Shelley says
I am disappointed to see all the actions that should provide “happiness” are centered around doing something for ourselves! More time for myself. More thoughts for myself. Affirm myself. Smile to myself… I think for all of you who are trying to be happy by doing more for yourself, you will only be left with a very well recognized version of yourself..that is still unhappy. To be happy, you have to do everything in your power for others! Spend each second of each day asking yourself what you can do for every single person around you and the world! Set your alarm, get up when it goes off..go to work and be thankful that you can provide a product or service for others. Buy coffee for your co workers, hold the door for the guy behind you, let the woman behind you in line move ahead. Give your change to the person who asks for it. Pick up trash in the street. Then you can feel better knowing you produce more than you consume.
Bernadine says
Wow love what you have said. Thankyou.
GEORGETTA FITZGERALD says
This is true. I feel it was covered by dont complain, treat others well and do something to contribute.
Mike says
Good advice. That’s what it felt to me too. Simply life can gets in the way and admit it that all is that’s your fault , learn from it. Some one said, “for modern time you need modern solution” Those aren’t going to make life better. Complaining does. Just do it!
Emily says
I agree that we should do things for others and that will increase happiness but I also think that what is said in this article is relevant too and shouldn’t be overlooked. Someone can volunteer, pick up rubbish, support others and still be miserable themselves. It is even more important to look after ourselves before we look after others. When you are happy within yourself you can exude this happiness on other people. This is more effective than helping people when you are unhappy.
Tariq Razi says
This is such an excellent analysis! so true, best way to happiness is through making HOPE as (H) helping (O) other (P) people (E) evolve.
Ruth says
I see your point and they are truly valid, but the truth of the matter is that if you do not do things for yourself first and appreciate them, then you will be offering it to others without exactly knowing what you are offering. You cannot give happiness if you have not experienced it first hand by doing all of the things mentioned or listed out here by the writer.
It takes a Happy person to create happiness for others.
Caryn says
If you re-read the article you’ll see it encompasses a minimalistic approach to being happy – and some of these 12 points actually do encompass doing things for others as well-I always taught my children that if you walk around frowning people will avoid you but if you smile others will smile back at you and you might spread happiness from that one small gift. Happiness grows from within. I love this list.
Jude says
This one is really true
Maria says
I agree with what you say but helping others isn’t what makes us happy, but helping and loving yourself. Sure, helping someone makes you feel good and think, I’ve done something that helped the community, but in the end, it doesn’t help your mental state. If you wish to be happy, you have to do what you love most and do what makes you happy. It may not work fast, but it would work, and I speak of experience. I don’t expect for this to change your view but I hope you will take my response into consideration. Take care!
Rob says
well, there are two points that are listed which involve us being giving to others: carry a smile, and treat others with kindness. It may not be the same as say volunteering with a homebound person for example or mentoring a young kid, but by smiling and treating others kindly, they may smile back and so that will make us feel good since we “gave ourself” to them by those gestures.
Diganto paul says
Yes, that’s true, Happiness is all. If a mad feel happy his inner body will safe and sound. so, this article is helpful to me.