7 Habits of Happy People

Holistically, happiness means a great deal. If you’re feeling dissatisfied, depressed, anxious or any other negative emotion, it’s going to affect your body in more ways than you might realise, or want to admit. That’s why feeling happy is so important – think of it as vital nutrient.

Now, before you start thinking “great, I’m doomed, I’m an unhappy person,” first look at the instances you do feel happy. Because if you do feel happiness, even if on rare occasions, then you have the potential to let go and be just as happy as that annoying Pharrell Williams song. This is not to say that you can’t be a happy person if you’re not jumping for joy and grinning from ear to ear, that’s only how some people express it. When I think of personal happiness, I’m drawn towards the word peace.

When I feel relaxed and at peace, I’m in my truly happy place.

When I’m out enjoying a fun day in a beautiful part of the world with friends or family, I’m excited, but not nervous.

Energetic, but peaceful. Alert, yet relaxed. This is what happiness is. Not one extreme of an emotion, but a balance which grounds you, gives you purpose and fills you with content. I like the word content, because it’s literal definition means ”peaceful happiness.”

These are just some of the habits that I’ve observed, pulling inspiration from within myself and all the truly happy, beautifully kind human beings I know.

1-They’re kind

Genuine, agenda-less kindness, is a trait I’ve noticed in truly happy people. Happy people like to help people, they want everyone else to feel happy. They feel bad when they see others upset, and always extend a kind hand.

2-They exercise regularly

Exercise maintains a sound mind, helps us work through negative emotions and enhances positive ones. When we exercise, feel-good chemicals flood the brain and give us a great natural high. It’s also fantastic for our bodies, and prevents all sorts of diseases. When our body feels good, it’s easier for our minds to follow.

3-Their happiness is not tied to external events

If something they were looking forward to falls through, they don’t fall into misery. They learn to love what they have and work towards what they want. I’ve noticed that life throws all sorts of obstacles, failures and tragedies in the direction of us all. You can’t predict or prevent everything, and happy people learn to let it go. They understand life’s difficulties, they adapt, and most importantly, they always count their blessings.

4–They spend money on experiences, rather than possessions

Every new adventure enriches us, and happy people magnetise towards events that will enrich them. You won’t find a happy person that doesn’t love to travel. They live for the good times, the good vibes, the good views and the good food.

5–They’d rather take a risk than live with regret

While they’re alive, they want to live, and to the fullest. They like an idea, so they look into it, then they’re planning it and before you know it they’re doing it. They’re just doing it! As they say, there are seven days in the week, and “someday” isn’t one of them.

6–They’re huggers

Long huggers, strong huggers, big ol’ bear huggers. They just love hugs.

7–They’re content being by themselves, but they love company

Happy people like themselves, so it’s easy for them to be in their own company. They relish their alone time and like to have space to think. Though not for too long, to them, the company of good people and close friends cannot be beaten. After all, human beings are social animals. Did you know that true solitary confinement is often classified as a “cruel and unusual” punishment due to the detrimental effects it can have on the mind? Experiences get us out of our comfort zone, out of our house, and perhaps involved in those close relationships we need to be happy.