Hello! Did you miss me? Yes, I know. I took a much-needed break and I’m back refreshed and ready to light the world on fire… ok, but not with a match stick, with passion and results.
Let’s talk about creating your happiness. I’m sure your next question is how? Given that the world is riddled with bad news, inflation is on the rise, more people are underpaid, people’s investments are getting wiped out before their eyes etc. Most things seem gloomy, but there is a way!
What I’m going to share with you is data-backed, and I have deliberately tried it out over the last couple of weeks.
A recent study by MIT1, which followed almost 1 million US Army soldiers for 5 years, showed that people who were happy outperformed others.
But how can you stay happy when the world continually reminds you of all the unhappy things around you.
There’s a way around it.
The research showed that the human mind is so malleable that if you do things that happy people do, then you feel happier. So
Smile more. Some of you think this is silly but science2 has proved that the expression of emotions is a two-way street. Our brain pays attention to what our body is doing, and this affects our emotions. Thus the simple act of smiling, even for no reason, brings the body a moment of happiness that has amazing benefits. If you notice me smiling sheepishly, you have my secret now. 😀😆
Listen to your favourite music more (and generally engage in art). Art/music can evoke emotion, help regain memories, stimulate new neural connections, and active attention. So whenever you feel that negative emotion, engage in art, listen to your favourite music, watch a live theatre performance, or watch your favourite movie with a loved one.
Help people around you. You feel your intrinsic worth gradually increases when you help others. Also, you discover more things about yourself when you help other people and lastly, you strengthen your bonds or connections with other people as you help them.
Appreciate & feel gratitude for the positive things in your life. Let any good happening become a good experience. Often we go through life and some good thing happens—a little thing like we checked off an item on our To-Do list, we survived another day at work etc. This is an opportunity to feel good. Allow yourself to feel good!
Like I’ve always said, no one has the ‘best’ formula for life. But if you deliberately engage in the activities I mentioned above, as I’ve done, your view of the world would begin to shift and you’ll find happiness in the littlest of things.
Funny but true examples and I’m in no way advising you to do things irresponsibly. My wife often treats herself to amazing meals when her bank account is approaching the ‘level’ she dislikes. This motivates her to work harder so that she doesn’t ever feel broke and unable to spoil herself with food.
Or my sister who travels and takes herself out on trips when she feels like she’s being pressured by life, work etc.
Find what works for you. Deliberately create your happiness per time.
P.S: 🎙️ A new episode of the Grinders Table Podcast will be available next week. In the meantime, tell me your favourite episode. And if you haven’t listened to the podcast, catch all the episodes here https://anchor.fm/the-grinders-table