Before ever understanding what might help make you happy, it is pertinent to understand that it is natural to feel unhappy and that without the lows, the highs would have no meaning. If you are searching out for ways to live a happier life, here are some tips!

Exercise

As much as some people hate it, exercise is proven to promote happiness. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, these endorphins react with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our perception of pain aiding in achieving a euphoric state. Pick an activity you like and get after it, you’ll feel great for it! Some of the active hobbies our staff members here at Geo have are; rock climbing, surfing, hiking, and just the age-old daily trip to the local gym.

Keep Busy

Having a purpose everyday is a huge must! Keeping busy is a broad way of saying; have a purpose, a reason to get out of bed, a driving force for why you do what you do. Just make sure you know the distinction between keeping busy and being rushed, studies show that rushing is the fast track to being miserable. Balance is key in this focus, making sure you are constantly expanding your horizon without causing too much discomfort; this is the true happy medium.

Nurture Close Relationships

Us human beings are social creatures, having close relationships fulfills our natural desires. Studies have proved that maintaining close relationships helps us live longer. National surveys find that when someone claims to have 5 or more friends with whom they can discuss important problems, they are 60 percent more likely to say that they are ‘very happy’. Don’t forget to nurture relationships; even the best of them can lose contact after a while. Try check in every two weeks or so for a good healthy relationship that promotes happiness!

Don’t Tie Happiness to External Events

Self-esteem that is bound to external events can be very unpredictable. For example; an avid sports fan is really excited for Sunday because they think their team will win, if the team wins, great! If the team doesn’t, they have sacrificed that day to something out of their own control. As a defensive measure many people with low self-esteem tend to avoid events that offer an element of failure. Try enjoying events by thinking of yourself less! Sounds weird but it works, no pressure = more time to enjoy yourself.