Of course, we would all love to be happy all the time. However, it’s not something that is realistic even if all the motivational quotes online suggest that it is.
The pressure of social media can make us feel like the rest of the world is happy, laughing, smiling, enjoying every moment of life. That may be the reality for some but for the majority, I would question whether this is reality or realistic.
There are things that we can do in order to ensure that our lives feel as joyful and fulfilled as possible — but that doesn’t mean the strategies and ideas will work all of the time.
Accepting that there will be ups and downs, struggles — battles even — will actually make the good times feel even better than they are right now.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development led by Robert Waldinger has tracked the lives of hundreds of Americans and he is now explaining what it has taught him about health and fulfilment. One key fact he reports is that: “The good life is a complicated life for everybody”.
He reports that: “We know that stress is a part of life. What we think happens is that relationships help our bodies manage and recover from stress. We believe that people who are lonely and socially isolated stay in a kind of chronic fight-or-flight mode where, at a low level, they have higher levels of circulating stress hormones like cortisol, and higher levels of inflammation, and that those things gradually wear away different body systems.”
Taking care of your health, diet, sleep and exercise are big ones if we are to remain happy as much as possible with Walsinger confirming that: “If you are in better health, you are more likely to be happy.” But so is taking care of your relationships to avoid loneliness. Something which sadly can be a part of life for those with long-term health conditions and mental health conditions.
A great place to start trying to ensure that we are as happy as possible is to use something simple like Action For Happiness. Online talks explore various topics and monthly calendars provide some things that we can do each day to enrich our lives. Theres an app you can download that allows you to receive daily messages as well as online coaching over a period of 10 days which explores the 10 keys to happiness.
Sadly, we still have to accept that not every day will be filled with joy. It's about a good balance.
The Guardian - How to have a happy life: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/feb/06/how-to-have-a-happy-life-according-to-the-worlds-leading-expert
Action for Happiness Talks Online: https://actionforhappiness.org/talks
Action for Happiness Groups: https://actionforhappiness.org/groups
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