Our 8 Habits of Happiness
Happiness can be perceived as a feeling we get in the form of instant gratification when something good happens to us. Is this enough to build a foundation towards a long term mindset of being truly happy? We think so! Over the years, we’ve unknowingly been practicing a handful of habits that have brought us to a state of contentment, even in the most trying of times. Here are the habits that have worked for us.
Travel
We’ll start with the obvious one as it’s no secret we enjoy traveling. We cannot emphasize enough how much traveling has enriched our lives for the better. Traveling doesn’t just mean to take a vacation but rather to get your juices flowing by having adventures, new experiences and to broaden your perception of the world. The “world” also doesn’t have to be the other end of the Earth! Pick a place you’ve never been to, even if it’s an hour away. Navigating new territory is a sure way for us to stay fresh.
Write Stuff Down
There’s a couple of ways we expand on this habit. First, we’ve always kept a whiteboard in our bedroom to help us stay on top of things. Whether we need a reminder to pay certain bills on time, run specific errands or share savings goals, we jot it down on the board. This helps us stay efficient and productive which alleviates stress from our daily life. Let’s face it, adulthood is filled with obligations and if you let things pile up or do not complete important tasks, you may end up feeling overwhelmed by getting yourself in a bad position. Another example of writing stuff down is to keep a journal or notepad for your thoughts. If you release your ideas, feelings, learnings, etc. onto a piece of paper, it’ll give your mind a break. Nothing ruins a state of contentment like keeping everything bottled up.
Go Outside
As cliché as it sounds, nature does the body and mind wonders. It’s unlikely we’ll be influenced by factors contributing to our unhappiness while in the middle of the forest, on top of a mountain or submerged in the ocean (at least for us). Especially if you are living a hectic lifestyle, “getting away from it all” by being outdoors in nature has proven to reduce stress and enable you to recharge. Being surrounded by nature also means we are in a neutral environment which helps us deal with any frustrating situations by seeking clarity more easily. As an added bonus, scoring some Vitamin D is never a bad thing.
Financially Sound
Personally, a big part of what keeps us happy is knowing we are financially stable. We understand this is easier said than done and everyone’s situation is different but if you are fortunate enough, prioritizing this habit will go a long way towards your overall happiness. We’re also one of the last people to imply that money equals happiness… this isn’t what this habit is about. The reality is, you need money to survive, live comfortably and ideally enjoy your life – that’s what this habit accomplishes. For us, a huge chunk of why we feel financially stable is that we’ve never accumulated any debt. Our key guideline is to never purchase anything we cannot afford. Another critical exercise we follow is being mindful of our expenses and income. This is such an easy practice to incorporate into anyone’s life but often overlooked.
Take Care of Something or Someone
This habit ultimately comes down to practicing the art of not being so self absorbed. Yes, taking care of yourself is equally as important but allowing yourself to take care of something or someone other than yourself will earn you a certain sense of fulfillment. Whether it’s a pet, a grandparent or even plants, focusing your attention and care away from yourself can be extremely beneficial to your level headedness and soul. If you’ve ever helped anyone from the kindness of your heart, you know this is a good feeling. So why not make it a habit?
Work Out
I don’t mean to quote Legally Blonde here but exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. There’s not much more to it! This doesn’t mean we put ourselves through a killer workout every day, it just means we remember to keep the movement going throughout the day. Whether that be in the form of a walk, hike, yoga flow or even cleaning the house. Aside from the natural benefit of exercise, working out provides the added bonus of feeling accomplished which boosts our mood and self esteem.
Cook
Preparing our own meals has always brought us joy. Whether it’s the primitive aspect of cooking or just the fact that we like to eat… it’s become a noteworthy part of our day to day routine. Mastering a dish, taking on the challenge of learning a new recipe or praising myself for whipping something up with only four sad ingredients in the fridge… these are just some of the moments that contribute to the bliss I find in the kitchen. We know, not everyone enjoys cooking but we swear it doesn’t have to be a chore or mundane task if you make an effort. Cooking is a great way to attain small achievements on a daily basis, thus allowing more deposits into the happiness bank!
Focus on Internal Factors > External Factors
“Happiness comes from within and without.” People’s perception of their well being are influenced by both internal factors such as personality and outlook and external factors such as the society in which they’re surrounded by. Although it takes a balance of both types of factors to contribute to true happiness, we tend to focus on internal factors because these are the ones we can control. For us, there is little sense in chasing satisfaction in the form of external factors such as comparing ourselves to others through materialistic forms of measurement. In other words, do you.
