Learning Daily While Expanding Your Mind

When asked about their deepest wish in life, most people will say they simply want to “be happier.” Seeking fulfillment is an ageless human endeavor; philosophers like Plato and Socrates debated the subject long before their time.

Do we really have to look so far for joy?

Thankfully, the path to fulfillment is less complicated than one may imagine. Making small changes to your routine can have a big impact on your mood and the moods of those around you. When do you even start?

1. Make a good morning your first priority. Always find something positive to be grateful for in the morning. When you get out of bed and immediately think of all the good things in your life, it puts you in a good mood.

2. Establish an encouraging morning ritual. Try starting your day off right by meditating, practicing yoga, or listening to upbeat music while reading a chapter from an encouraging book. Just do whatever it takes to get yourself pumped up and ready to take on the day.

3. Be present in the now. If you find yourself becoming caught up in the day’s stresses, stop and take stock of where you are. It’s important to take a break from technology and just relax for a second. Learn to relax and tell yourself that everything is fine at this moment. Let the future go and concentrate on the here and now.

4. Increase your listening skills, Spending time actively listening to another person improves your relationship with that person and the world at large. Genuine intimacy and lasting relationships are the results of attentive listening, which also brings joy to the speaker.

5. Hone your blades. In the classic telling, a man strolling through the woods comes across a person working very hard to fell a tree. A keen saw would make quick work of the woodcutting, he observes. It’s true, the woodcutter says, but he can’t afford to quit right now. You can accomplish much more once you take some time to regroup and hone your skills. Take breaks that refresh your mind as well as your body.

6. You should all just hang together and be happy. People’s attitudes have a profound effect on us. Boosting our mood is as simple as spending time with others who do so for us.

7. Remember to look after yourself. When you’re not feeling well, it’s tough to be cheerful. There is a lot of success with the use of microhabits. Hydrate yourself. Stretch your muscles and get up. Improve your diet by eating more dark, leafy greens. Regardless of your final decision, take comfort in the knowledge that you are improving not just your physical but also your mental health.

A happy life can be achieved in a variety of ways. While this list can serve as a springboard, you should not limit yourself to it. Keep in mind that you don’t need to make any major life-altering decisions in order to alter your outlook; rather, it’s enough to simply adopt some new, positive micro-habits.