Did you know that the 20th of March is 'International Day of Happiness'?
A day to ‘inspire, mobilise and advance the global happiness movement’
Why that day?
To coincide with the March equinox, the moment when the plane of the Earth's equator passes through the centre of the sun's disk. More commonly known as the beginning of spring.
Where are you on the happiness scale? If you were to mark out of 10, (10 being high) what would you score yourself today?
Does today represent a typical day for you?
How often do you reflect and consider how happy you are, and what you can do differently to increase your level of happiness?
There is only one person responsible for your happiness and that is you.
Others can influence it, although, only for as long as you let them. They are certainly not responsible for it, that responsibility lies with you.
Being conscious of your own level of happiness is so important, yet so many people just go from day to day without giving it a second thought.
When was the last time you gave your level of happiness a moment of thought?
Is there such a thing as being too happy? I don’t think so! I think we all have some space to be a little happier.
So how do we make this happen?
Here are a few pointers that can help your turn up the 'happy dial'
Happiness comes from within, don’t rely on external factors.
Prioritise the things you are passionate about. Say ‘yes’ to things that challenge and excite you. Say 'no' to things that are not in alignment with your ethics, morals and values.
Exercise and eat with good health in mind. Don’t neglect this. It will impact your mood and longer-term your physical and mental wellbeing.
Sleep & rest is important, don’t take them for granted. Both can significantly impact how you feel. A good night's sleep is often the best cure for low mood and anxious feelings.
Be comfortable with the uncomfortable and step outside of your comfort zone. Challenging ourselves to step outside of our comfort zone can help us to feel a variety of positive emotions.
Strive for progress. Work on your personal growth and if you choose not to set personal goals seek opportunities that will help continuous improvement.
Avoid becoming a victim of storytelling. If you are bringing the past into the present be aware of how you are doing this. Try to keep the focus on the positive elements and leave the negatives behind.
Create a ‘Bucket list’ of things you want to do. Add in a variety of things that will create happy memories to look back on for years to come and create happiness in the experience and the moment.
Be present. Enjoy the moments of life. Put down your phone, switch off those notifications, and capture it with your mind's eye, rather than watch your most important moments through a tiny phone screen.
Express gratitude and appreciation every morning for the things in life you are grateful for. Show your appreciation to others. Don’t keep these things quiet.
Find the positive in every situation, there is always a positive, even if the positive is that you have learnt something, or learnt something about yourself.
Spend time with people who are different and not like you. Take time to get to know people with different upbringing, beliefs, cultures, and ways of thinking. See the world through different filters.
Help others, and give back to your community and those around you. You will get as much back from this as you give, if not more.
Be conscious of your emotions and behaviours. Are they of use to you? Do you need to let them go? Not every thought or emotion needs to be held onto or processed, sometimes they just need to pass through.
Don’t wait to be happy. Don’t wait for a reason, don’t wait for a thing, a person, a holiday or a new job or any external factors. Be happy now!
If you would like more advice and support on how to start thriving in life and being truly happy and fulfilled, then why not check out our products and services that will help, support and guide you. You can start with a FREE download HERE
Alternatively, book in a no-obligation, and free clarity call with me to discuss how Phoenix can support you.
First published March 2018
Updated and republished March 2021