10 tips to be happy

1. Consciously choose happiness.

It is not enough to say: "I want to be happy", it is necessary that you take happiness as a goal. Many people say they want to be happy but do nothing to achieve it, they cling to their old habits and do nothing to get out of their comfort zone. However, happiness is not something that happens by chance, it is a state that needs to be cultivated day after day.

Choosing happiness means making a commitment and practicing the behaviors and attitudes that lead us to it. It means taking advantage of the opportunities that come our way, being willing to live each moment to the fullest, and striving to develop the skills that truly satisfy us. Choosing happiness means, after all, being willing to take the path that leads us to it. Remember this: happiness is not a destination, it's a journey.

2. Boost resilience.

The opposite of depression is not happiness but resilience. The ability to face problems and grow stronger from them allows us to be happy even when things don't go as expected.

Remember that happiness is not only a state, but also an attitude. Events in themselves are not positive or negative, it is the interpretation we make of them, especially depending on our expectations. This means that in order to be happy we must learn to focus on the aspects that help us grow and we must accept mistakes as a source of learning.

3. Cultivate gratitude.

Cultivating the habit of being grateful for what we have, rather than complaining about what we don't have, means a radical change in the way we face life, a change that will make us feel more content and happier in the long run. .

A study of more than 12,000 people found that the best predictor of happiness and contentment is not curiosity, love or hope, but gratitude.

This is also proven by another very interesting experiment conducted at the University of Missouri-Columbia and California, where a group of people were asked to write for 4 weeks what happened to them throughout the day, only some had to focus on things they were grateful for while others had to list problems. The experiment found that those who focused on gratitude also cultivated happiness.

4. Encourage forgiveness.

Living with resentment does not lead to happiness, but encourages anger, frustration and dissatisfaction. To be happy one must learn to overcome and forgive the past. Only then will we travel light enough to make room for positivity.

Forgiveness is not easy, wounds often take a while to heal. During that period, it is important that you explore your feelings deeply and that you do not try to hide them but accept them. It is also recommended that you try to put yourself in the place of the person who hurt you to understand their reasons. When you are ready, let go of the pain and forgive. Remember that hate and resentment only hurt those who feel them.

5. Resist negative emotions and thoughts.

Mental hygiene is essential for achieving emotional balance, but very few of us are aware of it. Worry and condemnation often take on a life of their own and occupy our thoughts. If we don't stop them in time, they make us feel bad and in the long run they can damage our self-esteem.

Fortunately, eliminating unwanted thoughts is not as difficult as it seems, you just need to find the formula that works best for you. You can try relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga or even any activity you find enjoyable. It will give you the tranquility you need and help you clear your mind.

6. Power interpersonal relationships.

There are many tips on how to be happy, but few are as effective as this one: Build relationships because they are where you will have the best moments of your life.  In fact, a study conducted at the University of California and Oklahoma recruited 376 people and, after they completed a questionnaire, found that the happiest times of their lives were when they were emotionally connected to other people.  Happiness comes from surrounding yourself with positive people, supportive friends, and most of all, spending quality time with the ones you love.

Special mention deserves the fact that one of the symptoms of depression is emotional detachment in relationships with others, even reaching the inability to enjoy social relationships.

7. Engage in meaningful activities.

Often the day slips away from us, immersed in a series of monotonous activities that have no meaning for us and, frankly, do not make us happy.  Some of these tasks are inevitable, but others are not.  Review your daily schedule, eliminate what doesn't make you happy (and you can delete it without negative consequences) and instead focus on activities that really satisfy you, that make you feel fulfilled.

It is not about avoiding responsibilities, but about being aware of the importance of our time, being more efficient and focusing our energy on our interests.  One of the best pieces of advice for being happy comes from Leo Tolstoy: "The secret of happiness is not always doing what you want but always wanting what you do".

8. Rediscover the value of small things.

When people say "I want to be happy," they often mean happiness with a capital H, or filling their lives with joy and material possessions.  However, there is another level of happiness with the little things, feeling good and finding meaning in life.  When we learn to value every detail, we realize that we don't need much to be happy, just appreciating what we have.

The path to happiness is not chasing unicorns, but loving the small joys in everyday life.  An excellent exercise to recapture the beauty around us is to travel a route that we know well but carefree by paying attention to every detail of the environment.  You will discover amazing things that you overlooked, perhaps because you were too absorbed in your thoughts.

9. Practice sports outside.

Physical activity not only helps us stay in shape, but also helps us get rid of stress.  When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, neurotransmitters that create feelings of well-being and relaxation.  In fact, a study conducted at Duke University showed that physical activity can be as effective in treating depression as medication in some cases.

Likewise, another particularly extensive study that analyzed data from 833 people who practiced sports, concluded that exercising outdoors is more beneficial than indoor exercise because it gives us more energy and vitality, as well as a sense of well-being.

10. Take care of your sleep time.

Sleep is very important to restore the energy we lost throughout the day.  It has recently been discovered that during sleep our brain removes waste products from its metabolism, which is why sleep problems have been linked to neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's.  However, the benefits of sleep go beyond physiology, as confirmed by very interesting research where it was found that getting the necessary hours of sleep also helps us process conflicts and makes us happier.