Many people believe they can only find happiness when they have the right job or perfect home. Or that a fat bank account will help them sleep at night. They put off enjoying what is in front of them while they are looking over the fence at someone else’s greener grass. Not so surprisingly, research shows that postponing joy until conditions are perfect is a losing game.
It’s Not All About the Money
Having enough money to support your family, afford adequate nutrition and live in a safe community is extremely important to most people. However, once your income reaches a particular level, it becomes a tradeoff and you may experience diminishing returns. A study by Nobel-award-winning scientists found that day-to-day happiness is related to income, but only up to a certain point (approximately $75,000 in the U.S.) This amount helps cover life’s necessities and comforts, but other stressors come into play. Such as demanding hours, compromised time with family and friends and additional pressure and responsibilities. This particular study found no evidence that happiness declines as income increases.
Invest in Relationships
Enjoying strong bonds is the single biggest factor in overall happiness levels. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has followed the same men for nearly 80 years to monitor their physical and mental well-being, found close, positive relationships to be the biggest influences on happiness and even physical health. Study participants flourished in life when they had strong ties to family, friends and community.
Make Physical Health a Priority
Many studies link unhappiness with poor physical and mental health. Sadness and stress negatively affect your body’s immune response. Which is another reason to place a premium on cultivating a positive state of mind. In addition, happy people are more likely to take care of themselves by exercising, eating well and getting enough sleep. While there are some activities that involve a financial investment and the need for boats, skis and air travel, there are plenty of other options to stay physically fit on a tighter purse string. Strap on your tennis shoes, take a walk, play tennis at your local high school, or organize a weekly walking or running group with friends.
Look On the Sunny Side
Entrepreneurs often have a stubborn streak of persistence, tenacity and focus. It’s a general belief that positive outcomes are within reach. Having an “I can” rather than “I can’t” attitude programs your brain to respond positively rather than negatively to any given situation. Negative thoughts become a self-fulfilling prophecy and you will limit yourself from experiencing endless and abundant opportunities. Plenty of successful people have failed, but they don’t give up.
Clean Your Closet and Make Your Bed
It may not seem significant in the grand scheme of things, but cleaning your desk and decluttering your home and office can positively impact your joy, energy, and productivity. Happiness researcher Gretchen Rubin maintains that “outer order contributes to inner calm.” There’s a sense of peace, freedom, and ease from having orderly surroundings, so take the time to tidy up and get organized. Get rid of items that no longer benefit you and keep only things you love. That includes getting rid of clothes that don’t fit in the hopes of losing weight someday. Be selective when acquiring new things which will start to clutter your home, desk and mind.
Retired Navy SEAL and Chancellor of the University of Texas extols the value of making your bed. Starting the day by making your bed will give you a sense of pride. Encouraging you to do another task, and another – reinforcing the fact that the little things in life matter. According to the Chancellor, making your bed has the power to change the world.
Find Your Peace
Whether you practice an organized religion or are on your own spiritual journey, connecting with a higher power can produce a deeper sense of meaning and well-being. A Harris Poll Survey of American Happiness found that 71% of Americans say their spiritual beliefs added positivity to their lives, up from 66% in 2016. If you don’t already, devote some dedicated time and thought to your own personal belief system. Even a few minutes of quiet meditation each day can significantly impact your peace and ability to handle life’s challenges. Countless research findings suggest meditation can relieve anxiety, ward off depression, and minimize pain.
Embrace Kindness
People reap a multitude of benefits when they help others, from reducing depression to lowering blood pressure. People who make charitable contributions are happiest overall, according to a Harvard Business School survey. Being kind to others engages the brain’s reward centers, which means generosity to others is actually a gift you give yourself.
For more information check out The Protocol School of Texas. You may also like Money Can Buy Comforts But Not Your Joy. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.
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