The last year has been challenging as we continue to adjust to our new normal. Many look to the new year hoping for a fresh start and a happier year ahead. However, we can actively do things to experience joy, well-being, and make the most of 2022. I’m sharing five happiness hacks backed by science that you can incorporate in your life today to make 2022 your best year yet.
Focus on Building Quality Relationships
According to a Harvard study, close relationships keep people happy throughout their lives. Even more so than money or fame. It’s these relationships that help protect us from life’s grievances and slow down our mental and physical decline. Many more studies prove just this: our relationships and how we help others contribute to a longer and happier life.
Begin to build quality and meaningful social relationships. You can always start by putting all your energy into nurturing your existing relationships to become better. If you have a bad relationship with someone, repair it.
“The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships have a powerful influence on our health. Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care too.
Robert Waldinger, Clinical Professor, Harvard Medical School
Forgive Others
How many times do we wait for the person who has hurt us to make the first move to reach out and apologize? Even if they do, we don’t always forgive easily. Studies show that by doing so, we’re only hurting ourselves.
Cultivating a habit of forgiveness brings many benefits. Forgiveness enhances our emotional capabilities. People who forgive others are better able to control their anger. This practice helps to avoid depression and disappointments. Forgiveness also helps repair bad relationships. The first step in forgiving others is to say “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you.”
Take an “Awe” Walk
Studies show that when we feel “awe,” our focus shifts from ourselves to the broader world. Feeling “awe” helps us feel more socially connected to our community. It could also lead to a rise in positive emotions. Feeling “awe” could help combat loneliness and negative emotions for older adults.
An easy way to feel “awe” is to set aside 20 minutes a week to take a walk outdoors by yourself. Taking an “awe” walk boosts happiness and kills loneliness and stress. Block out your calendar and stick to this schedule if you can. As you take your walk, try to notice the positive things around you–sights, sounds, smells. A few examples you could focus on are the feeling of sunlight on your skin or the scent of fresh flowers and grass. Perhaps even a beautiful tree you never noticed before. Acknowledge each one in your mind as you see it. Try to take it all in and figure out what makes it enjoyable to you. Try walking a different route each week, so you don’t take any route for granted.
Focus on and Use Your Strengths
For most of us, it’s always easier to obsess over our weaknesses or flaws. But what if we did the opposite and put more of our efforts into acknowledging our character strengths? According to psychologists, understanding and cultivating our character strengths leads to a good life. It’s not only essential to know your strengths, but also to actively use them daily. When we focus on what we do well and use these character strengths daily, we will experience happiness and well-being.
My favorite tool for finding out your character strengths is the VIA Character Strengths Survey. It’s the only free, scientific survey of character strengths globally, and it only takes 15-minutes of your time.
Live the Life You’ve Always Wanted
How many of us would live our lives so differently if we stopped working to meet everyone’s expectations? What if you chose the career you wanted, got married when you wanted, and started a family when you felt you and your partner were ready? The point is to stop living your Life based on anyone’s expectations of how you should live it.
What others think of you or what other people want you to do doesn’t matter. Pursue what feels authentic to you—your hopes, goals, and dreams. And don’t forget to surround yourself with people who support and love the real “you.”
The most important thing to realize is that happiness is a choice. Fifty percent of your happiness is within your control. Start small and do a few things that make you happy each day.
If you’re looking for more lifestyle hacks to try, check out Five Ways to Build Your Self-Confidence.
What is your favorite happiness hack from this list? Which happiness hack will you start trying today? I’d love to know; please comment below.
