Happiness can be very elusive in today’s society. Only one-third of Americans describe
themselves as happy, which means that two-thirds of us are not. The pressure to climb the
corporate ladder, be successful, and find a life partner can compromise our happiness.
And while it’s  important to note that happiness is an inside job and independent of anything going on outside of ourselves, there are certain things we can incorporate into our daily life to help us feel happier and more at peace.

 

Here are five natural ways to give your mood a boost and start to feel happier today.

1. Exercise

There’s a few reasons why physical movement helps you feel great. First, it releases endorphins
which is the feel-good chemical your brain generates when you indulge in something very
satisfying. Second, if you work out with other people there’s the social aspect and satisfaction you get by making connections with like-minded people.

There have been numerous studies done about the effects of exercise on mood, but one found
that moving your body for as little as ten minutes a day or even once a week can make you a
more cheerful person in general. So what are you waiting for? Go for a walk, spin your favorite
playlist and dance, or even play outdoors with your kids or dog to get that blood circulating and
your endorphins surging.

 

Be sure to balance your workout routine with self care to really boost your happiness levels.

2. Eat More Fruits and Veggies

Sometimes, the key to happiness is as simple as changing up your diet. A study of Australian
adults found that those who consumed more fruits and vegetables regularly felt more happiness
and satisfaction with life. And a healthy balanced diet in general feeds your brain the proper mix
of nutrients to keep it sharp and focused.

This doesn’t mean you have to give up desserts and anything else you enjoy eating, but you
should strive to get enough lean protein, produce, and grains and avoid excess sugar to keep
your mood even and elevated.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Getting less than the recommended eight hours of sleep each night can not only make us feel
groggy the next day, but grouchy as well. Researchers are discovering that a full night’s sleep correlates with life satisfaction and viewing the world through less competitive eyes.

 

4. Adopt a Pet

Adding a fur child to your household can increase your overall happiness. A study of two
groups—one who owned a cat or dog and another that did not own any pets—found that those
with a feline or canine companion were twice as likely to consider their life successful. They also
tended to have a university degree and be married.

If you can’t commit to being a pet’s forever home, you can reap similar benefits by volunteering at a local animal shelter and giving affection and interaction to the cats and dogs.

5. Start a Gratitude Journal

Too often, we get down because we feel we are lacking something meaningful in our life
whether it’s a romantic partner, best friend, or money. However, we can flip those negative
feelings upside down by focusing on what we do have in our life currently that makes us feel
happy.

Research has found that people who wrote about things they’re grateful for felt more optimistic about life than people who focused on negative events. Make it a daily practice to write down five things you’re truly grateful for in a gratitude journal and you’ll feel any negative emotion slip away.

Happiness Doesn’t Have To Be a Stranger

Happiness often requires being in the present moment and being proactive, but by following the
above tips you can begin to feel happier overall on a daily basis.

 

Check out our latest posts on the CrowdMed blog for more diet and lifestyle tips to help you feel
your healthiest and happiest.