It is a common question- What makes you happy? Sometimes we have a list of things to recite, but on certain days, we ponder, “Nothing makes me happy anymore.” We often have a lot of misconceptions about what truly gives us joy. Many of us connect it with repeating patterns. It can be a particular person, place, or attachment with materialistic things. If deprived of these, it can seem like the world has come to an end. But, that's definitely not happening. It’s just that we are so used to it. In a nutshell, the brain tends to adapt to experiences.
Regardless of thinking about the long-term objectives of life, we bind ourselves to certain situations and often hope that we will be happy after accomplishing the pattern.
After some time, many of us realize what made us happy once doesn’t make us happy anymore. The excitement vanishes after some time, and we confuse it with emotional instability.
Let’s be realistic, it is not practically possible to be happy all the time, and if anyone claims so, that’s a red flag. Challenges and rough patches in life can teach you the best lessons, so striving solely for happiness isn’t what one should be manifesting.
The best way is to train your brain to pursue habits that can increase your sense of happiness not just for a short-term boost but to change your life for good over time.
Below stated are the best ways to boost your happy hormones-
1] Savor the present moment
Many of us keep destroying our present by thinking about the past or worrying about the future. It is okay to have such thoughts but giving excessive control to them can lead to stress. Bring your senses to the present. Live in the moment. It may seem demanding, but if you practice mindfulness regularly, it will turn out beautifully in the long run.
Whenever you indulge in daily chores such as bathing, cooking, jogging, or eating, try to bring your attention to the moment. Being mindful will help you build a better connection with yourself as well as with others.
2] Ditch technology from time to time
If your cell phone is right in your hand at the moment or anywhere near you, and if any notification on your phone grabs your attention instantly, preventing you from reading this blog further, maybe you are already a technology addict.
The constant flash of notifications on your phone means your mind is continuously on high alert, waiting for the next ring. This way, you will never be able to relax your brain. So, why not detox from technology? Does it already sound unachievable? Trust us; it’s not. All you need to do is take baby steps. Even 20 minutes away from your phone can give your body and emotions a pause. It can contribute to an upsurge in overall happiness and well-being.
3] Spare time for things you love
If you have any hobbies that you kept aside due to any reason, time to rework yourself. When you do the things you love, you tend to stay motivated and feel more fulfilled in life. You must have come across people who might have achieved big things in life but still feel unhappy because they are too busy building a career or too stuffed raising a family.
Remember, you can’t make anyone else happy unless you are content. Be creative and take out time to pursue what gives you wings. Get back to art, go sightseeing, or sing out loud. It hacks the feel-good happy hormones and acts as a great stress buster.
4] Practice gratitude
The benefits of practicing gratitude are boundless. It is more than just saying the word “thank you”. Gratitude detaches us from negative emotions and the toxic behavior that repeatedly accompanies them. Writing a gratitude note each day shifts our thoughts from bad to good ones and hikes positive emotions.
The effects of gratitude keep multiplying, you might not see it instantly, but just like compound interest, it will benefit you. It makes people happier and more content with life because we value our accomplishments and never take them for granted again after practicing gratitude.
5] Share happiness with others
Being kind to others can have a positive impact on your well-being. Smile often, talk politely with strangers on the way, help someone in need, pamper your young ones, and respect everyone.
The act of compassion and spending time with loved ones activate oxytocin and reduce the release of stress hormones. Although we cannot define what kindness is, we all can sense it, and it does create a difference.
Just one last thing..
As stated earlier, we can’t always have good days, but these habits will make your day a little better. If you ever feel emotionally blocked, neglected, or drained out, book an emotional therapy session on The Wellness Corner with a qualified therapist to help you find your emotional balance.