The road to happiness is not as simple as moving from point A to point B. It is multi-faceted with a vast spectrum. For some, it may be easy to come by, while others may take extra effort to achieve.
As we navigate through life, we find that there are many dimensions to being happy. It is not just a matter of reaching a goal, getting a job, or even finding the perfect mate. It really all starts from within by having a positive mental attitude.
When you have and optimistic outlook, it's much easier to cope with the difficult times that life throws at you from time to time. Trudging through a stressful day at work, gets a bit easier when you know there is something good waiting for you at the end of the day. Dealing with loss or rejection, is less of a burden on our emotions when you have a positive view of the world, in spite of the negative events in our life.
A positive mental attitude will carry us through many different experiences in life – whether they be good or bad. Which is why we need to build it and strengthen it.
In order for us to build positivity and optimism in ourselves, there are certain aspects in our day to day life that we need to tweak. These might be as simple as listening to feel good music or giving ourselves some pampering.
The tips in the list below are science-backed ways to improve your mental attitude to help achieve happiness. Following even a few of these tips can have a positive impact on how you deal with life.
Smile
Smiling isn’t just an expression of joy – it’s also a cognitive reflex to positive aspects of life that release endorphins, dopamine and serotonin – making you feel physically better! Happiness makes you smile, and smiling makes you happier – it’s a positive feedback loop that just keeps on giving! Take a look at what smiling really means to you and those around you.
Via Science ABC
Hack Into Your Happy Chemicals
Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins are the quartet responsible for your happiness. Many situations can trigger these neurotransmitters, but instead of being in the passenger seat, there are ways you can intentionally cause them to flow.
Via The Utopian Life
Ideas for Self Care When Life Gets Hard
Here are a whole bunch of ideas for self-care that will help you cope when life gets hard.
Via Janine Ripper
How To Get Up When You’ve Been Knocked Down
We have all been there – in a tough situation that leaves you questioning everything and feeling empty. Know that you are not alone.
Listen to Good Mood Music
These songs are guaranteed to get you UP, MOVING and MOTIVATED!
Follow What Happy People Do
Here are some small things that happy people do to make life just a little bit better, and now you can too.
Via Popsugar
Improve your Mood with Food
Have you been feeling not quite yourself? Have others noticed your mood swings or do you feel as if your mood is not what it used to be? You can change this by changing what you eat.
Via Skinny Ms
Meditate
You’ve likely seen meditation portrayed in movies and television as people sitting cross-legged with their heads down in silence. This article discusses the origins, types and importance of meditation.
Via Buddha Groove
Be Motivated to Workout
Need an extra boost to get to the gym this morning? Well, get ready to take your fitness to the next level with these 35 motivational fitness quotes.
Via Simple Beautiful Life
Surround Yourself with Laughter
Check out the many Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter
Via Help Guide
Be Close to Nature
Research reveals that environments can increase or reduce our stress, which in turn impacts our bodies.
Via Taking Charge
Keep a Journal of Positive Life Experiences
Keeping a diary of positive life experiences has already been shown to offer heaps of psychological benefits.
Via Prevention
Get Busy
Science suggests sex can improve mood and combat anxiety by reducing stress signals in the brain.
Via Greatist
Get Enough Sleep
We are constantly being told how important sleep is for our health and overall well being, but many people don’t (or can't) get enough sleep. Let these articles help you make a change in your life by convincing you why a good night’s sleep is exactly what you need, and fill you in with a few pointers for maximizing your beauty rest.
Via Bloglovin
Be More Mindful
You’ve probably heard the hype about ‘mindfulness’ or ‘mindful living’. But what is it? And why is it so popular?
Via Idea Pod
Volunteer for a Cause You Believe in
A study by UnitedHealth Group and the Optum Institute finds that volunteering is linked to better physical, mental and emotional health.
Via Mashable
Image: Tony Avelar/AP Images for Habitat for Humanity/Associated Press
Pamper Yourself
How do you take time out from your busy lives to pamper yourself? Do you treat yourself like a queen and allow yourself the time to indulge in what makes you happy, in what makes you feel good? Here are some great pampering ideas.
Via Pamper
Find More “Me” Time
Finding ways to make time for “me time” — the precious, oftentimes elusive period where you get to spend a few minutes or even a few hours doing whatever it is you want to do — can be a challenge. Here are some great ideas to recharge your batteries.
Via Very Well
Learn to Let Go
There will never be a time when life is simple. There will always be time to practice accepting that. Every moment is a chance to let go and feel peaceful. Here are some ways to get started.
Via Tiny Buddha
Reduce Stress
You can learn how to reduce stress to avoid adverse effects and enjoy longer healthy life. Here are various tips on how you can reduce stress in your life.
Via The Bis
Take a Happiness Challenge
Most of us are doing happiness all wrong. It's not really anything on the outside that'll make us happy; it's all internal.
Via Popsugar
It has been proven that positive thinking can enhance our overall health and well-being. We hope you've found some great tips in our list of science-backed ways to improve your mental attitude to help achieve a greater level of happiness in your life.
