The Happiness Cheat Sheet

You may not know this about me, but I'm a giant nerd, truly a scientist at heart. That means that when I got really serious about figuring out what makes for a happy life, I delved fully into the science of happiness by reading, learning, thinking about, and testing out everything I could get my hands on - studies, theories, philosophies, memoirs. There is still much to learn, but certain themes keep coming up again and again. While I don't believe that the quick fix/instant gratification route is necessarily the one to lasting happiness, this cheat sheet will get us well on our way.

1. Be nice!

Don't be a jerk, and don't let your children be jerks. That statement right there sums up a lot of the ones below, but let's be a little more specific.

2. Do something for someone else.

Small scale, big scale. Doesn't matter. Acts of kindness make you feel good mentally and physically. Believe it or not, altruism can even lower your blood pressure! You're also making someone else's day, so there may be ripple effects. 

3. Move!

Seriously, you have to move your body. Our lifestyles are so sedentary these days, yet our bodies weren't designed that way. You can't expect your brain, a (very important) part of your body to work optimally if you're not maintaining the system. Besides, tons of data coming out suggest that exercise has antidepressant and antianxiety effects. 

4. Similarly, eat real food.

Real foods (with ingredients you can pronounce and without added sugar) will nourish you and keep you full longer. Hanger is real. You're not happy, and neither is anyone around you. Moreover, see above for the whole brain/system running optimally argument.

5. Stop complaining.

Complaining brings you down and trains your brain to notice all of the negative things. Besides, complaining doesn't usually change or fix anything, does it?

6. Instead, be grateful.

Gratitude is more about choice and mindset than it is about external circumstances (e.g., physical possessions). You can be a billionaire yet unhappy if you're not grateful, or you can be a prisoner with nothing and yet be happy. Look around. There are so many things to be grateful for! Try focusing on all the things you appreciate, that went well, and that made you happy instead of all the reasons why today sucked, or try this simple exercise. 

7. Connect with people. 

Reach out to loved ones. Talk to strangers. Don't worry about feeling weird of being judged or stepping out of your comfort zone (which is actually really good for you to do, by the way). And, if you are worried, DO IT ANYWAYS! We're all navigating this thing called life and probably have more in common than we realize. Taking a minute (or more) to connect with another human being helps us feel less lonely and gives a mood boost. Here are two easy ways:

Basic manners, please.

Make eye contact. Smile (or nod or wave if you're masked). Hold the door for someone. Say "please." Say "thank you." Like you actually mean it. It feels good.

Give someone a compliment.

It takes 2 seconds, and I guarantee it will boost your happiness and theirs. By the way, say "thank you" if someone gives you a compliment. Thank is the appropriate response. Do not let your mind dismiss it with some self-deprecating, "Oh, I'm not really XYZ" comment.

8. Practice mindfulness. 

It's been around forever, for good reason, and neuroscience and all sorts of other research is now confirming what yogis have known for millennia: a mindfulness practice is good for you. (Please know that I say this as a former skeptic. It took compelling data and arguments for me to really embrace this practice. Now I think it is one of the most critical practices for success and wellbeing.)

9. Get off social media, or, better yet, screens in general.

Maybe not all together, but definitely set some limits. You'll have more time for other things that are more meaningful or more likely to boost your happiness, and you won't be getting all the input that increases the icky "not good enough" feelings and concern for the state of the world.

 "Comparison is the thief of joy." - Theodore Roosevelt

10. Sleep

It's hard to be happy when you're tired. It's hard to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and anger when you're tired, and inadequate sleep can compromise our health. Get your Zzzzs.

11. Learn something. Anything.

Be an active participant in life rather than a passive consumer. I firmly believe that stimulation is critical for happiness. Technology makes it possible to learn absolutely anything these days. Don't tell me it's boring. Don't tell me you can't.

"In this world, you are either growing or you're dying." - Lou Holtz (and a bunch of other people) 

12. Speaking of, start looking for the reasons why you can, instead of the reasons why you can't, do things. 

Don't let limiting beliefs, circumstances, or other people hold you back. YOU are in charge of your life, and you CAN make choices to improve it, even when the deck seems stacked against you.

13. Practice compassion.

For yourself (silence that Inner critic) and for others. Operating under the assumption that everyone is doing the best they can really cuts down on anger and negativity. It may not change events or circumstances, but it definitely makes me happier.

14. Spend less. 

There's a widely accepted cultural myth that money leads to happiness. The happiness that comes from acquiring is fleeting at best. Besides, if you spend less, you need less money, and how many people would be a whole lot better off if they didn’t stress so much about money?

15. You do you, and let me do me.

This is two part. One: be yourself! You’ll be happier if you’re not trying to fit some mold or live up to someone’s perceived expectations. Two: don’t worry about what I do (as long as it doesn’t actually hurt anyone or prevent you from doing you). Accepting others rather than trying to control them leads to a lot more peace, internally and externally.

Simple steps, right? At least in theory! What are your favorite tips and tricks? Hit reply and let us know.

Written by Dr. Ashley Smith

Peak Mind Co-founder