Going through the motions of life, whether you’re young or old, can be exhausting. Life has its ups and downs. Sometimes it’s easy to let those downs drag you into a funk that just won’t go away. Negative experiences can leave you feeling depressed or anxious or simply grouchy all the time If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. There are ways to break free from these negative patterns. Here are some simple things you can start doing today to bring joy back into your life:
Cultivate Optimism
You don’t need to be so optimistic that you ignore the reality of a situation. But there are things that you can do to be more optimistic and joyful in your life. The next time you find yourself feeling cranky and miserable and only focusing on the negative things in your life, look for something positive. While you might be in a tight financial situation now, for instance, you know that some seasons last only a short while. Focus on what you have even if it’s just food in your stomach 3x a day and a roof over your head.
Avoid Overthinking and Social Comparison
One of the most important things you can do to stop being miserable is to avoid overthinking and social comparison. When you overthink, you create negative stories about yourself and your life in your head. You focus on what’s wrong with you, or with the world around you. These kinds of thoughts can lead to anxiety and depression. There are things you can do to fix your unhappy life, and avoiding overthinking or comparison are two of the most important. Try thinking about the things you are good at and don’t worry if someone else is better. You’ll find that you are much happier when you can be more content.
Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is the act of being thankful for what you have. It’s a positive feeling that stems from thinking about the things that you are happy to have in your life. Why is gratitude important? Gratitude helps you to appreciate what you have in life and feel connected to others, which leads to greater happiness and well-being. You’re less likely to feel as grumpy or unhappy when you practice gratitude.
How can you practice gratitude? Write down five things that went well each day before going to bed. Write a letter or email expressing your appreciation. Make a list of people you are grateful for. Spend money on experiences rather than things.
Make Time for Friends and Family
It’s not good to be alone all the time. You need people in your life as well. Friends and family are important for your happiness. They provide you with love, support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. It’s important to spend time with loved ones as often as possible so that you can get the most out of your relationships. And family can be anyone who has shown themselves to be loving and kind.
Practice Acts of Kindness
Doing nice things for others can actually help you feel more joyful. Knowing that you did something nice for someone who cannot return the favor can help you be a positive influence in the world. Ultimately, kindness is contagious and those around us will appreciate our positive energy and good deeds. The more we practice acts of kindness, the happier we get ourselves. It can be as simple as mowing a neighbor’s lawn when they aren’t feeling up to it or buying groceries for a friend who lost a job recently.
Get Enough Sleep
If you want to be happier and more joyful, sleep can help. Your body and brain will feel more refreshed and you are less likely to be on edge when you sleep at night. Plus, sleeping more is one of the easiest ways to feel better and have more energy. It’s a natural way to heal your body and mind, it’s essential for good health, productivity, and mental well-being. Determine your circadian rhythm, avoid technology screens at night and create a bedtime routine. These will help your mood and give you more focus each day.
Learn Something New
Maybe you are in a health crisis and it has you feeling crabby. Learn about the ways that you can improve the situation and focus on doing the things you can control. Maybe your debt has gotten out of control and you feel overwhelmed. Learn good financial literacy habits. The library has a ton of books that you can read to discover new ways to earn money, but also how to best get out of debt. Having a plan will help you feel less powerless and happier even in the midst of your situation.