It is one thing to have a wonderful life event happen to you, but it is another thing to be consistent, regularly and merely happy. While many things can make you fleetingly delighted, such as a new car or winning a lottery prize, lasting happiness is earned through your habits. Read on to discover some of the practices that happy people do day in and day out:

They surround themselves with positive people.

The people you spend the most time with, you become. Happy people know that the company you surround yourself with will impact how you think, act and feel. Choose to limit or avoid contact with the negative, draining people and engage instead with people who are uplifting, positive and supportive — you will find that you will be the same.

They live a healthy lifestyle.

Without a healthy body, the mind cannot flourish, and happy people know this well. Moving your body releases feel-good endorphins and a neurotransmitter called GABA which makes your brain feel relaxed and helps fight off negative feelings. Equally important is eating a nutritious, balanced diet and getting enough sleep every night. If you need further advice on living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, there are plenty of articles on BetterHelp.com to keep your physical and mental health at its optimum.

They are generous and kind to others.

Happy people feel greater joy in giving than receiving and know that there is nothing to lose when you are kind to others; in fact, they know that the more they give, the more they have. By committing to the generosity and helping others, feelings of happiness are increased as the brain releases oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine. As long as you are assisting others to willingly and without stretching yourself thin, it is one of the best paths to happiness.

They practise presence and gratitude.

Instead of complaining and thinking of the could have and should haves, happy people choose to focus on gratitude. They look for hope, find solutions and see the bigger picture in every situation. They also decide to commit to the present moment without wanting to be somewhere else or be someone else. Learn to slow down, smell the roses and connect deeply and meaningfully with those around you. Gratitude and presence are powerful, life-changing virtues and worth investing in.

They commit to growth.

Nothing great or worth having comes quickly, and this sometimes calls for risk. Happy people can choose discomfort over comfort because they have their eyes on the prize; they are bold, brave and committed to growth in every area of their life. Every challenge is an opportunity for learning and should be embraced if you want to live your life to its fullest. Doing this will also strengthen your resiliency and ability to bounce back when life gets tough.

We may think happiness is unattainable or reserved only for certain people; however, joy is pure and can be achieved through the small, everyday habits that we commit to. Investing in even a few things on the list can increase feelings of happiness, contribute to mental and physical well-being and perhaps inspire those around you to do the same.

Marie Miguel Biography


Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. 
Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. 
With interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.