They might not be the richest or the most successful, but they are genuinely the happiest. Happiness is such a rare trait that, these days, it’s pretty challenging to find. We are all so focused on our goals, bills, and lives that we forget the most crucial part:
Being happy!
But what makes people happy? Lord knows it’s not money! However, we spend almost all of our lives in search of money. Thankfully, the current generation is focusing on finding happiness. And that’s the primary reason for this article. We studied the happiest people in the world to discover what they have in common. And here’s our list of the top 7 things these people share.
Mindset
by Carole Deck
⏱ 13 minutes reading time
🎧 Audio version available
They practice optimism
When it comes to planning for our future, we all tend to think primarily about what will happen when things don’t go our way. The happiest people worldwide are always optimistic about what the future might bring. But don’t get me wrong! They also consider what might go wrong and how to handle it. However, happy people always have an optimistic mindset.
For instance, instead of worrying about what to do when your business fails, plan on how you will invest the profits? That will help you maintain a positive mindset while hoping for a better future. With an optimistic mindset, you will spread that good energy to other parts of your life. Optimism increases productivity and creativity; hence such people end up being more efficient in their work.
What’s more, an optimistic person tends to attract positive things and repel negative ones. Therefore, the more you focus on positive events that will or have happened, the more they will keep happening. Optimistic people have a positive outlook, especially on their future, and they believe they are in control of the positive events in their lives.
Express gratitude for what they have
Happiness starts from appreciating what you already have and working hard to reach the next level. What you currently have didn’t come to you on a silver platter-no siree! You put your time and energy into your craft to get to where you are right now. And it’s essential always to have that in mind and appreciate it.
Most happy people are grateful for the simplest things that we tend to ignore, for instance, being alive. The moment you realize that you have a lot more than you give yourself credit for, you will see an instant lift in your mood.
Gratitude always has a strong positive impact on your well-being and psychology. That said, choosing to be thankful may very well be the easiest, and most effective, way of boosting your happiness. Without a doubt, there’s definitely a strong link between happiness and gratitude.
That’s because gratitude increases your self-esteem and enhances your positive emotions. More importantly, when we feel deep happiness from gratitude, our bodies release excellent chemicals that boost our mood and relieve stress. So, in short, being happy will also help you handle stress and everyday challenges better.
They nurture their friendships and family bonds
Humans are social creatures that need connections to thrive. That said, it’s safe to say that most of us keep an eye out for like-minded people with whom we can rely and enjoy our free time. More importantly, we have friends and family who love us unconditionally.
The quickest way to cause your unhappiness is by breaking your bonds with family, friends, and other people who love you. It’s almost impossible to thrive on your own in this world. At the end of the day, we need people who can show us love and affection.
Happy people enjoy talking and mingling with friends and family. They take time off from their busy schedule and spend it with people who love them unconditionally. The energy they get from family and friends rejuvenates their drive to continue dealing with whatever challenges are thrown at them. If you can, take a weekend off and visit your family or even hang out with friends. Human interactions keep you going and ensures you have a social network. Hanging out with your friends and family physically packs a much bigger punch than chatting on the phone. That physical connection is what happy people crave and will always prefer over social media platforms.
They don’t concentrate on the ‘what ifs’
Sometimes, we get sucked into those ‘what if’ questions. For instance, what if I started that business? What if I took the other job offer? What if I took that vacation? The list goes on. Such questions could make you feel like you are currently living your worst life ever, instead of best. More importantly, these questions will drag negative energy into your life, and that’s what happy people around the world tend to avoid.
Happy people appreciate the life they are living and take any mistakes made as learning opportunities. If you want to be happy, you should practice the same. Happiness is a delicate emotion, and it will likely dissipate the moment you start entertaining negative thoughts.
They have a consistent motivation
Why did you get out of bed today? Was it because you were late for work? If you only woke up because of that paycheck, you are likely to be unhappy. Happiness is not rooted in having a passion for work or pushing yourself to earn a living. It’s about having a consistent purpose in life. Whether you are planning to start a business or work to feed your family or raise your kids- it doesn’t matter. At the core of your passion, you should have a purpose, or in other words, a reason to get up in the morning.
Happy people are not always in love with their work. But having a purpose or solving a problem helps them keep going and enjoy what they do. That said, enjoying what you do and having a passion for it are very different things. A common mistake that most people make is relying on motivation without attempting to maintain it.
Unfortunately, the energy that comes from motivation eventually dies down, and you are left with purpose. That is why if you want to achieve the ultimate happiness, you will have to understand and fall in love with your purpose in life. Once you do that, you will never need an alarm to get out of bed.
They live in the present
When was the last time you did a little star gazing? Do you even remember? Happy people savor the moment and live in the present even though their eyes are locked on the future. Happiness beginning by enjoying what you currently have.
Without a doubt, you will have to fall in love with the journey. Happy people don’t peg their happiness to an achievement. We are all guilty of this. We tend to imagine that we will be happy when certain factors align. For instance, a common one is: when I graduate, I will be happy.
Meaning you will likely never be happy until that graduation happens. Additionally, you will end up not enjoying the time you spend in the university and appreciating the connections you made in the process. If you want to achieve true happiness, you will have to fall in love with the journey. That includes enjoying your time at work and appreciating the people around you.
They appreciate nature
Today, we are spending more time indoors and online than ever before. Nature deprivation, which is the lack of time spent out in nature, happens due to the long hours we spend in front of screens. Unfortunately, this habit has been directly associated with increased levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and lower self-esteem. The risks of depression and isolation are increasing by the minute, thanks to technological advancements.
Connecting with nature reduces stress, brooding, and also increases creativity, attention to detail, and happiness. That is why happy people around the world spend more time with nature than any else. That is because happy people understand how this connection helps their mental and physical health, aside from their love of nature.
In Summary
Well, there you have it! Most happy people worldwide have the above things in common. If you want to ensure you join the ranks of happy people, you should also consider adding these things in your daily routines. Happiness is crucial. This emotion undoubtedly gives our lives meaning. Or why else should you work so hard, if you are not happy with your life? With that in mind, always find ways to keep yourself happy, and the energy will spread throughout your life.
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