There are multiple paths to happiness not just one. Happiness is also unique to every individual. You need to find path that suits you and your needs. You can’t always get the same result from following what others do. Here are some key ways to attain your own happiness.

Meditate

The number one way to be happier is through meditation. Meditation doesn’t cost anything and all you need is a time and a place. If you say you don’t have the time to meditate it’s because you don’t make time for it. Schedule it for a specific time during the day that suits you to help you meet your goal.

Exercise

Exercise has been shown to significantly improve mental well being and physical health. Regular exercise will help you deal with emotional stress. In a sense it is a form of meditation. When you run or do any physical activity, you are focused on one thing that has all your attention and focus. Just like meditations you focus on one thing, the difference is while exercising you will also improve you physical health as well.

Minimalism

We live in a day and age where we are surrounded by thousands of choices from what clothing you will wear to what brand of water you will buy. Every time you make a choice you end up spending time on simply deciding. This can be overwhelming when it really shouldn’t be. Try to minimize the time you spend on mundane everyday decisions by making deciding factors simple.

Declutter your surroundings. This is more than just cleaning up a space. For example go through your closet and get rid of clothes you will not wear or haven’t used in years. Also get rid of clothing that is worn out or faded. The next time you open your closed you will feel that it was much easier to choose what to wear. You should also get rid appliances you don’t use or have broken down and dishes that are just on display.

Gratitude & Compassion

Gratitude and compassion is essential to happiness. You feel the pain of others as well their joy. When you do something for yourself you only feel your own happiness. When you do something for somebody else you share happiness together. Happiness can be further reciprocated.

Showing gratitude is also important for yourself and others. Saying thank you for gifts and services can brighten your day. For example: sending a thank you card, saying thank you to the operator who has just helped you over the phone, saying thanks to someone who opened a door for you etc. These simple acts play a further role in happiness.

Play

Play or leisure plays an important part in happiness. If we look at animals like dogs you will immediately see that the more playful the dog is, the happier it seems. If you look at kids you will notice that they are the happiest during play time. This is something we should never forget. As adults we need to set aside time for play and leisure no matter how busy our lives might get. Having a hobby or enjoying any activity brings us happiness and a sense of well being.

You are your own source of happiness

Many people aren’t aware that they are responsible for their own happiness. It will now fall out of the sky and many people rely on people or empty pursuits to make them happy. After a night of partying no one feels that refreshed in the morning especially if they over do it. Your body can only take so much partying and it’s harder to do as we get older. In the end empty pursuits don’t make us feel happy and we end up feeling bad all the same.

Only you can influence your own happiness. Other people can help you, but they will not be able to be the entire source of your happiness and if they don’t make you happy you might want to reconsider whether it is worth spend time with them.

Some Guiding Steps

1.Happiness is something you create for yourself. No one will create it for you.

2.Happiness is not following empty pursuits ie. Drinking, sex, food, money, gaming, gambling, shopping etc.

3.Happiness is an emotion and not a physical item.

4.Think of goals you want for yourself and make a plan to pursue them.

5.Get rid of poisonous people in your life. These people put you down, say poisonous words, make you feel worthless, and are generally very unhappy.

6.Acknowledge that you want to be happy.