Happy?

   We all want to be happy. Who doesn't? But although widely desired, so many are unhappy in this world today. Happiness can seem like an unattainable idea,  just out of reach. We all have bad days, and that's normal, but when our bad days turn into bad weeks, and bad weeks to months... it can lead us to wonder, why can't I just be happy?

   Our minds spiral down a long deluded path of  "if onlys". If only I had this or if only I had that. If only this didn't happen, then I would be happy. We tend to focus on the negatives immediately, the things we can't change. We find ourselves thinking, yes I want to be happy, but how can I be? I can't change how I feel!

   Is this true? Can we truly not change how we feel?

   There are a lot of ways to develop lasting happiness in ones life. I have for you three simple habits to develop in your life. With these I challenge you to prove for yourself that happiness is possible, and that you can choose it! 

Habit 1: Reframing

   Reframing... great! Well, what is it?

   Also referred to as cognitive reframing, this psychological practice is exactly that, rewiring or reframing the thoughts, to change the meaning of them and therefore ones perspective. We are constantly bombarded with thoughts left and right. And a lot of those thoughts are not true! Yes, your brain can lie to you! How many times have you been burdened by a thought or idea that you clung to, that turned out to be just that, a thought, with no grounds to stand on! 

   To change how you feel, it first starts in the mind, specifically the thoughts. Reframing allows you to take that thought or thoughts, change the way it is being framed in your mind, and alter it to reflect a realistic and positive direction.

   So how can you practice reframing? An easy first way to change ones perspective is to ask yourself some genuine questions. "What are some possible reasons why this situation could've happened? Is there a deeper meaning to why I feel this way? Is there another way to look at this situation?" 

   It is also very important to show yourself compassion when reframing. Speak to yourself as you would a friend. What would you say to a friend who was in this situation? Who was experiencing these negative harmful thoughts? 

   We tend to be our worst critics, and can often be very cruel when we speak to ourselves. We are more likely to be kind and compassionate to our friends and loved ones, and often more reasonable. We know ourselves best, which means we know how to hurt ourselves more than anyone else. That said, we also know how to love ourselves best, and make ourselves happy! Yes, the choice is completely up to us!

   It all starts with changing or reframing our thoughts. Our thoughts leads to words, and our words lead to actions. If we target the root cause of our unhappiness, which stems from what we think in our mind, we are likely to crush the unhappiness before it has time to spread and create disaster in our whole life!

   To sum it up, reframing is examining the thoughts, asking the right questions, and changing the thoughts to reflect a more productive and positive mindset!

Habit 2: Gratitude 

   An often overlooked principle in the world today is showing gratitude. This world has become quite materialistic. Everyone is after the next and newest shiny object to obsess over. The latest fashion trend, the newest smartphone, the list goes on and on of things to acquire with no true appreciation of what is already in our possession.

   This next habit to build is really quite simple: giving thanks. 

   No matter how much or how little you have, we all have things or people to be grateful for. It may sound too good to be true or even a little silly. Can expressing our thanks play such a vital role in our individual happiness? Don't knock it till you try it. Whether voicing it out loud to friends or family, writing in a journal, or even saying it in your head silently, these are all good ways to remind yourself of all that you have to be grateful for.

   As humans, we tend to dwell more on the things we don't have instead of what we do have. By being grateful, we are eliminating in our mind reasons to be unhappy. When you are grateful, you are happy. They really go hand in hand. 

   Try writing every morning three things you are grateful for that day. A simple task but one that can inspire quite powerful results once established in your life. 

Habit 3: Move The Body

   Yes, physical exercise effects your mental happiness! I'm sure you've heard this once or twice, or at least seen some Instagram influencer rave about how exercise completely transform their life. 

   Now I know what you're thinking, I've tried exercising and I hate it! It doesn't make me happy at all!

   If this is you, well, I get it. But what most people who swear off exercise don't realize is how many ways to exercise there is! Just because you hate running, or hate going to the gym doesn't mean you don't like to exercise, it means you haven't found what works for you yet. Moving the body can be simply doing yoga, stretching, or even having your own dance party in your room! Yes, that counts! 

   There are countless studies and reports, all with different amounts of time you should spend a day exercising. But as long as you are moving your body every day and pushing yourself, it is really up to you! 

   We are creatures of movement, our bodies need to be put into use! When we exercise, the body releases chemicals, such as dopamine and endorphins in your brain, that make you feel happy! There is chemical proof that exercise brings happiness!

Your Turn

   There you have it. By reframing, showing gratitude, and moving your body each day, you are on your way to developing a long lasting happy life. Implementing these three practical habits takes time, and it's ok to take much as you need to figure out what methods work best for you!

   But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself! The choice is yours.