How to Cultivate Happiness Tips

Personally for me, practicing gratitude daily has been a game changer. Though I will be the first to admit, sometimes I fall short and miss a day, sometimes two. However, when I am consistent with my gratitude practice, I notice a shift in my mentality and overall mood. So that brings me to

Tip No. 1

Tip #1 - Make gratitude a day-to-day practice

It's proven that practicing gratitude can shift your overall mood. See: https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/cultivating-happiness

for more tips on cultivating happiness.

Tip #2 - Make prayer your first defense & not a last resort (if you are spiritual)

For me, keeping a prayer journal has worked wonders. I write my prayers down and then pray them aloud once they're written. For me, I articulate how I'm feeling best through writing. But if vocalizing first and foremost works best for you, you can try that way instead. Praying helps me increase my faith and grow my relationship with God. Also, I feel less alone when I talk freely and openly with my heavenly father.

Tip #3 - Incorporate Movement into your lifestyle

It's about week 3 for me in the gym and I feel more confident in myself, as keeping my promise to myself has increased my self-confidence. I've already noticed results and I am thrilled!

My body fat % has decreased by 2%, my Muscle Mass has increased by 2% and my water is where it needs to be. Meanwhile, the number on the scale has gone up but that is to be expected because muscle weighs more than fat. My energy levels have also increased and I am getting better sleep on the days I do workout. If you are a beginner, start small and keep the intentions you set for yourself. Once you develop the habit of showing up consistently, you can further challenge yourself. It's proven that working out is not only great for your physical well-being but for your mental and emotional well-being. See: https://www.waldenu.edu/online-bachelors-programs/bs-in-psychology/resource/five-mental-benefits-of-exercise for 5 mental benefits of exercise.

Tip #4 - Journal/Brain dump daily

Expressing your feelings through journaling and completing a brain dump can help you navigate your feelings. It's good to look & reflect from time to time on how far you've come or how you overcame a particular circumstance/hardship or it can be a great reminder of good things that came to pass. I find that it can be key to identifying your triggers as well. Additionally, if you have no one to turn to/talk to, journaling is a good way to vent, safely.

In short, cultivating happiness comes from actions we take daily and is more attainable than one may think.

What is something that works for you when cultivating happiness?

Comment below!