Care2 Healthy Living/Jordyn Cormier: 5 Hacks to a Happier Life

Care2 Healthy Living | 5 Hacks to a Happier Life
5 Hacks to a Happier Life
share
tweet
pin it
share
email
28

    By: Jordyn Cormier
    November 26, 2017

    About Jordyn

As we begin to contemplate the state of our lives in preparation for the New Year, it’s helpful to clarify what actually makes us happy. So, what is it? What makes you truly happy?

No, we’re talking bigger than puppy kisses, dark chocolate and riding bikes. We are talking about what it takes to make large swaths of your life feel stable and balanced. We are talking about what makes you happy, overall.

There are various relationships in life that must be in balance in order for a person to achieve lasting happiness. The 5 main pillars are: community, your physical body, passion, relationship to Self and your environment. Here are some happiness-promoting tips for starting to encourage balance in these areas and more:
Love This? Never Miss Another Story.
Cultivate healthy relationships

Do your friends actively improve your life on the whole? Or do you find some of your friendships exhausting. Sometimes, friendships can become energy sucks. And that unfortunately means it is time to move on. Life is too short to waste on people who don’t make you happy. Be polite and steadily cut off ties with those relationships that no longer serve you. And while you can’t choose your family, you can put the effort in to make sure those relationships are as healthy as they can be, too.
Fill your life with passion

No no, don’t start looking for your passion. Think of the pressure! Instead, fill your life with stimulation, art, culture, fun and creativity. Seek out any activity that plants a seed of interest within you and watch it blossom. A life without passion or purpose feels empty at best. Stop waiting for your purpose to find you by exercising your creative juices and proactively exploring. There is something out there for everyone.
Use your body

There is a reason we have bodies. They allow us to frolic and galavant; to write and type; to celebrate and make love; to create and destroy. Rather than being a floating energy force devoid of physical form, you have this incredible body! Enjoy it to its fullest and keep it fit. Remember, your body needs and deserves love. The more you love your body, the easier it will be for you to realize how beautiful it is. And it is beautiful.
Seek natural health and balance

On the same line, in order to be happy, you have to be reasonably healthy. Eat nourishing foods, treat your body and mind with respect, hydrate, get plenty of sleep. Oh, and don’t stress too much—yes, even about health. Take a load off for a slice of cake once in a while. If you use moderation, you can celebrate the wildest parts of life, like walking and talking with an old friend until the sun rises, eating half a pie on your birthday, or celebrating with a friends and a fresh brew after riding the mountains of Colorado. Be healthy, yes, but don’t begrudge yourself the treats of living.
Experience the planet

Have you ever stood on an empty beach, staring into the sunset, and thought, “All of this, this whole incredible world, is merely a speckle in the vastness of the universe! Wow!” No? Just me? Well, anyways… we live on this miraculous planet that not only supports life, but encourages it to thrive! Make time to explore every facet of the Earth you possibly can, from the majestic Grand Canyon to the bustling streets of India to historic Canadian sugar shacks to the coffee plantations of Guatemala. Even if you must remain local, there is always something new and incredible to discover in the wondrous world around us. Expose yourself to new environments and cultures as often as you can.
Take a moment for gratitude

We are so accustomed to taking stock of all the unfortunate and negative aspects of our lives, we tend to glaze over the sweet bits. Take a break from the constant over-analysis and negativity to acknowledge the good parts of your life. If you’re reading this, you probably have a warm place to sleep, nourishing food on the table and access to some sort of computer. You may have a truly supportive family, or perhaps you enjoy your job, or perhaps you don’t enjoy your job but at least it helps to pay the bills for now…Take some time to journal about all the wonderful things you have and what a good life you’ve created for yourself. And don’t forget, you are pretty incredible!

Happiness can seem elusive at best, so indulge in the path towards happiness rather than the destination itself. Americans are more obsessed with happiness than anyone, but that obsession is making us anxious and, ironically, unhappy. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be happy; that defeats the point. Just practice moving your life in a more positive, healthy and balanced direction, and you’ll be on the journey to longterm life satisfaction.
Related on Care2:

    8 Ways to Decompress Before Holiday Stress Strikes
    This Bee Product is a Powerful Natural Immune Booster
     Can’t Poop? Here’s What to Do…


GREAT STORY, RIGHT?
Share it with your friends
share
tweet
pin it
share
email
CONNECT WITH US

    Facebook 1.1 million followers
    Twitter 560,000 followers
    Pinterest 30,000 followers
    Email Newsletter

EMAIL THE EDITORS

You Might Also Like

    6 Common Habits That Destroy Your Kidneys 6 Common Habits That Destroy Your Kidneys FitHog
    Behind-the-Scenes at Black-Owned Beauty Brand Beauty Bakerie Behind-the-Scenes at Black-Owned Beauty Brand Beauty Bakerie Beauty Bakerie

    That's How You Find Super Cheap Hotels. That's How You Find Super Cheap Hotels. tripsinsider
    Best Homemade Snacks For A Long Airplane Trip Best Homemade Snacks For A Long Airplane Trip

    How To Start End-of-Life Conversations How To Start End-of-Life Conversations
    How Tantric Sex Can Change Your Life How Tantric Sex Can Change Your Life

    7 Reasons You Have Swollen Feet And Ankles 7 Reasons You Have Swollen Feet And Ankles

Recommended by
28 comments
DeWitt Henderson
DeWitt Henderson10 minutes ago

There might be some good ideas here, but I can't get past the loathsome 'hacks', which has become the replacement for 'ideas', 'suggestions', etc.
SEND
Christine D
Christine D17 minutes ago

I know money doesn't buy happiness but it can ensure financial security in one's older years so one can enjoy life to the fullest without worrying about being able to pay the bills. I did without the newest car, the lastest fashions, fancy vacations, etc. to put away a little every month so now I am secure for the rest of my life. I still enjoyed life and did the activities that made me happy in my younger years, but I always kept my future retirement in mind. I have always loved nature and now I can take that vacation to Hawaii, book that Mediterranean cruise, or just take a couple of days to explore the west side of Vancouver Island if I so choose. My days are filled with the activities that I love...socializing with my friends, taking nature hikes, or just sitting at home enjoying some quiet time with a good book, TV show or cross stitching. This article has some wonderful advice on how to get there and I have had to make some of the difficult choices like ditching, or limiting my exposure to, energy-sucking friendships.
SEND
Menu W
Menu Wabout an hour ago

I'm making over $7k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life.

This is what I do... www.bizpro20.com
SEND
Maria Papastamatiou
Maria Papastamatiouabout an hour ago

Thanks for posting.
SEND
Wesley S
Wesley Struebingabout an hour ago

Yes to all the above. And one more - SMILE! (they say it takes fewer muscle than frowning, and the wrinkle it imbues are cahracter lines). (oh, and it make people wonder what you're up to... Happy Holidays, everyone!
SEND
Michele B
Michele B3 hours ago

coffee in the morning, plus my 2 rescue dogs and my rescue cat, as well as my 3 outdoor cats help me get a good start on the day
SEND
Kathy K
Kathy K4 hours ago

Thanks.
SEND
Lisa M
Lisa M4 hours ago

Thanks.
SEND
Lisa M
Lisa M4 hours ago

Thanks.
SEND
Ruth S
Ruth S4 hours ago

Thanks.
SEND
view all 28 comments
TOP STORIES

    1
    How to Make Friends When You're Retired
    2
    5 Hacks to a Happier Life
    3
    6 Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids
    4
    Lead Contamination in Bone Broth Too?
    5
    9 Ways to Increase Fertility Naturally

ads keep care2 free
learn more ▸
ads keep care2 free
learn more ▸
COMMUNITY SUCCESS!
25 More Animals Rescued From Ice Cream Store's Roadside Zoo

Just over two years ago we celebrated a major win when Ricky the bear was moved to a sanctuary...
more
share
tweet
pin it
share

    Care2 Home
    About Us
    Contact Us
    advertising

Copyright © 2017 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved
site feedback
site feedback

    log in / Join

    Start A Petition
    Sign Petition
    CARE2 Home
    healthy living
        Food + Recipes
        Health
        Love + Sex
        Green
        News
        Crafts
        Ecards
        Brands for Good
        Nature
        Pets
        Spirit
        Home
        Life
        Family
        Beauty
    causes & news
    Success Stories
    butterfly rewards

New to Care2? Start Here.

    About Us
    Care2 Team Blog