Last week I talked about three things happy people do, remember it was:
- They don’t dwell on the past
- They focus on the here and now
- They recharge
Believe it or not, there are 4 more things they do. Have you every searched “things happy people do” on Google? OMG! There is a ton of stuff. I have scanned a lot of it and it really comes down to just a few things said in a different ways.
So here are a few more things happy people do and those who aren’t happy 24/7 don’t do:
#4. They don’t spend time with toxic people
We all have had or have people in our life who are toxic. The ones who say things behind your back. Or are constantly putting you down. Maybe they promise to change but it just never happens? Being around people like this over a long period of time, will bring you down. Happy people don’t let this happen. They quickly recognize a toxic person when they see one. Me, not so quickly.
Here are some tips to help you recognize a toxic person, and what to do about it:
- Notice when someone puts you down. Are the words they use positive or not. Body language can also tell you how someone feels about you. Don’t feel good around them? Gradually close them off.
- Notice when someone constantly cancels on you (leaving you feeling bummed) If someone doesn’t want to spend time with you, and they are constantly cancelling on you, it might be time to direct your energy into something or someone else.
- Be aware of those who take advantage of your kind nature. I’m happy just going along with things most of the time but some people will use you for it.
- Don’t let people take advantage of your generosity – whether it’s time or money, don’t let people take advantage of you. It is okay to say no. What’s the worst that can happen?
- Spend time with those who make you feel cherished, valued and happy
#5. They value their self-worth
We are all human, so at some point in our life, we are going to have negative thoughts about ourselves. Happy people control these thoughts, or at least recognize when their self-worth is low. They know the moments will pass, and at the end of the day, they are just thoughts.
When your mind starts to wander to thoughts of low self-worth, or doubting yourself, spend time focusing on the good stuff. REMIND yourself of the great things you’ve done, or take yourself away to a happy moment in your life. Being happy is all about choosing to be happy. Lacking in self-worth can be controlled just as easily as controlling your thoughts.
#6. They keep things simple
How have you felt after you cleared out your closet, or tossed/donated items you didn’t need anymore? Awesome, right? That’s the beauty of keeping things simple. “Clutter in the house clutters the mind”
“It is simple to be happy, but it is difficult to be simple”.
Our lives are complicated and busy. I don’t know about you but I long for things how they used to be. So how do we keep things simple? Here are a few ideas:
- Toss old stuff away. If you haven’t used it in the last 6 months, are you ever going to need it, really?
- Keep some time in your schedule clear – you deserve some time off
- You don’t need to be busy to feel validated. Being busy and being productive are two very different things
- Looking for a solution, and can’t find it right away, come back to it tomorrow. Obsessing over things for long periods is not going to get you a solution.
#7. They smile often
Yes, smiling makes people happy. When you smile, your face lights up. When you’re on the phone and you’re smiling, your demeanour changes. EVERYONE looks and feels better when they smile. Happy people tend to smile more. Consider this quote from Scientific American:
“It would appear the way we feel emotions isn’t just restricted to our brain—there are parts of our bodies which help to reinforce the feelings we’re having,” says Michael Lewis, a co-author of the study.
Our emotions can be affected by our physical body, too. Feeling down, stressing – SMILE! It might just do you a bit of good, and help you improve your mood (even just temporarily).
Are you a happy person 24/7 or do you strive for it?
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 