We all want to feel happy, but sometimes that can be hard — especially during struggles. The good news is that you can make simple changes to your routine to help you cultivate happiness. These 7 happiness hacks will undoubtedly bring out the best in you. Make choosing happiness a habit!

Estimated read time: 6 minutes

Happiness is one of the most sought-after feelings in life, yet it's debatable what its true meaning is. Despite the debate and evolution of its definition over time, there is no denying that happiness plays a significant role in our well-being.

For starters, it is beneficial for your physical health. How? It can reduce stress levels and even lower the risks of cardiovascular disease. It helps boost your immune system, decrease pain, and improve sleep quality. Happiness can also improve your mental health, help foster positive relationships, and sparks creativity.

In short, happiness is super important to living a life full of joy and fulfillment. But how do you achieve this? Well, below are seven happiness hacks to have under your belt as you go about your daily routine.

If you are dealing with severe depression, depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may also need professional help. But guess what. We bet that if you show your counselor this list, they would

7 Daily Habits to Bring More Happiness in Your Life

Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and unhappy? Or maybe you simply want a little more joy in your life. If so, you can decide to choose happiness every day. Adding these simple and effective habits to your daily routine is the ultimate "happiness hack."

If you are dealing with severe depression, depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may also need professional help. But guess what. If you show your counselor this list, we bet they would agree that these are all really good things to do to help improve your mood.

1. Reflect on Good and Bad

Some days are difficult, where it feels like you are in the middle of a storm. Others feel like everything is sunshine and rainbows. You know, those really good days. And some fall somewhere in between. Either way, it's important to remember that happiness is not just about the good moments in life. It's also about recognizing and reflecting on positive and negative events in life.

According to Jonathan Adler, a psychologist at the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, "Acknowledging the complexity of life may be an especially fruitful path to psychological well-being." In other words, he believes that recognizing good and bad moments can contribute to our overall happiness.

For example, someone who has just achieved a big goal may feel proud and delighted yet still have an underlying sadness, knowing that this moment won't last forever. While such an experience is bittersweet, Adler explains, "Taking the good and the bad together may detoxify the bad experiences, allowing you to make meaning out of them in a way that supports psychological well-being."

However, being happy doesn't mean ignoring your negative feelings. It means taking time to accept and process them — writing in a journal in the morning or evening is an excellent way to do this. Think through what happened and how it made you feel. Doing so can help you gain clarity and insight into your emotions and even increase self-awareness.

2. Practice Gratitude

Do you remember the last time you felt genuinely thankful for something? If you can’t, then it’s time to start actively practicing gratitude. Based on positive psychology research, gratitude is linked to greater happiness.

Through expressing gratitude, we can experience more positive emotions and better appreciate the good things in life. It doesn't matter whether it's intangible or tangible, like a beautiful sunset or having enough money to buy your favorite meal. Carving out time each day to appreciate those elements of life that make us feel blessed can significantly impact our happiness.

3. Be a Social Butterfly

Nothing can bring more joy than spending time with those you love or enjoy the company of. In his humorous book, Stumbling on Happiness, Harvard professor Daniel Gilbert says,

"We are happy when we have family, we are happy when we have friends and almost all the other things, we think make us happy are just ways of getting more family and friends."

Being social is probably the simplest among all the happiness hacks — and for you introverts, it doesn't mean you have to attend huge gatherings. Take things at your own pace, according to your personality, as long as you connect with others and don't isolate yourself. Something as simple as saying hello to a passerby or calling the cashier by name positively affects both of you.

Spending time with family and friends increases feelings of connection, support, and understanding. It can also positively shift our outlook on life by giving us a new perspective. Even if meeting in person is impossible, there are still many ways to stay connected and share time. Whether it's a phone, text, or video call, staying connected with the people you care about will surely bring joy.

4. Nourish Your Body

Happiness in mind, body, and soul starts with self-care. Even though it's easy to forget, we must ensure our bodies are nourished. To kickstart your happiness journey, look at your daily routine and ensure you meet your body's needs. This means getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and exercising regularly. These are all essential components in creating a healthy lifestyle and boosting mood.

You'll create a strong foundation for mental well-being when nourishing your body. Eating healthy foods provides the necessary nutrients to help regulate our mood. Exercise releases endorphins and helps reduce stress, allowing you to find clarity and peace of mind. Finally, getting enough sleep is essential for physical and mental health, giving our body time to rest and restore itself.

5. Take a Break from Social Media

You are probably wondering what spending a few hours daily scrolling through social media has to do with your mental health. Well, a lot, it turns out. The hours spent comparing ourselves to the posts of "perfection" we see on social media can severely impact our self-view and lead to negative thoughts and feelings. Studies have shown that over-indulging in social media can lead to intensified anxiety and depression, feelings of inferiority, and disturbed sleep patterns.

That's why it's essential to take some time away from social media and learn to disconnect to reconnect with yourself. You can do this by setting a time limit for how long you'll spend online each day or by taking a break and going entirely offline for a set period. As hard as staying away from your favorite apps might be, taking a break will give you the time and mental space to focus on yourself and sort out your feelings.

6. Schedule Some Me Time

We are often caught up in our daily routines and stress that we forget to prioritize ourselves. This is why scheduling some "me-time" in your day can be so beneficial. Taking stress-free times to implement relaxation techniques such as meditation and mindfulness can help reduce stress, improve mental health, and cultivate inner peace.

If meditation and mindfulness aren't your things, find something that works for you. It could be a long bubble bath, going for a walk in nature, or taking some time to journal your thoughts and reflections. Whatever activity you decide to do, make sure it brings you peace and joy. Self-care can be a great way to increase your happiness.

7. Laugh More Often

Ever heard the phrase "laughter is the best medicine"? Well, it’s actually true. That's because it releases endorphins in our brains, making us feel happier and more relaxed. Additionally, laughter can help ease tension in difficult situations and make everyday activities more enjoyable.

When you need a pick-me-up, incorporate more laughter into your day. Try watching a funny movie or TV show, spending time with friends who make you laugh, or even just searching for funny jokes and memes online (as long as it's not during your social media blackout time!). You could also find humor in difficult situations or make a game out of mundane tasks.

As long as it brings a smile and makes you happy (and doesn’t hurt anyone else), it's worth doing!