The Pursuit of Happiness: 5 Ways to Find Joy Each Day

Did you know?

A laughing Buddha symbolizes prosperity, luck, and happiness.  The Spruce has a whole guide on Feng Shui placements and Laughing Buddha. As a symbol of mindfulness, Buddha teaches the world many philosophical traits.

Your pursuit of happiness lies in applying his philosophy of life.

What does Buddha say about happiness, and where can you find it?

“A disciplined mind brings happiness.”

-Buddha

Staying positive isn’t as hard as you think.  According to Buddha, choosing mind over matter can unlock eternal joy. Mindful practices, self-care tips, and support from loved ones can make the worst days bearable. The trick lies in embracing habits that feel good and ditching ones that don’t.

This article shares five ways to find joy every day and anywhere.

Pursuit of Happiness: 5 Strategies to Stay Positive and Joyful

Happiness can mean different things to different people. Yet, some universal practices can bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Mindfulness, self-love, companionship, gratefulness, and kindness are five practices. Buddha and philosophers like him often advise people to choose mindfulness, self-love, and gratefulness over materialism. Kindness, companionship, and communal wellbeing are other ways to manifest joy.

Here are some great tips and tricks to begin your pursuit of happiness:

Live in the Moment: How to be Mindful?

Mindfulness means living in the present. Meditation, yoga, being self-aware of your surroundings, and appreciating current opportunities are some things you can do. These happy, relaxing thoughts replace the anxiety-ridden ones.

The pursuit of happiness isn’t in the past or future. It’s in knowing how to live a content life in the present. You often need clarity and self-awareness to achieve these goals.

Meditation and manifestation can provide you with the mental tools required to tune out disruptive thoughts.

Here are a few self-care tips for mindfulness:

●     Meditate each morning.

Breathing exercises can ease tensed muscles and help you relax. It helps you stay attuned to your surroundings and live harmoniously with nature.

●     Pay attention to your surroundings.

Pause and look around at the world outside the screen. A pretty flower, a smile from a stranger, or a compliment—can brighten your day.

●     Let go of the past and manifest a better future.

Avoid dwelling over old conversations and relationships. Instead, visualize a better future with people and resources available to you in the present.

Need help? Reach this self-help guide from Mindful on the basics of meditation.

Self-Love: How to Practice Self-Love?

Pursue happiness through things that promote self-appreciation and support personal development goals. Building healthy boundaries and indulging in mood-boosting activities are ways to practice self-love.

Do you prioritize others over yourself? Some of us spend our life to support others in their pursuit of happiness only to wind up with the short end of the stick. Self-love shifts focus and bring you back in the spotlight.

It’s about investing energy and time to improve your emotional and psychological wellness. Physical fitness and social aspects also provide a holistic, self-appreciating image. Additionally, self-love works well as a healthy coping mechanism on those not-so-great days.

Here are a few self-care tips to get you started:

●     Take a break.  Eat well, regulate your sleep schedule, and rest. Gardening, surfing, knitting, and coloring are other ways to unwind joyously.

●     Treat yourself. Good food, great books, and favorite shows can bring joy when things aren’t going well.

●     Stop pleasing everyone. Say “no” to extra work and create healthy boundaries to ensure your professional life doesn’t spill into your downtime.

●     Reconsider your relationships. Cut ties with toxic relationships and foster genuine ones.

●     Believe in yourself. Silence negative self-talk with affirmations and positive mantras.

●     Plan for your future. Work on personal development goals by attending a workshop, joining a hobby class, or taking a certification course.

●     Music therapy. Dance to an upbeat playlist or wallow with a sad one.

Lean on Your Support System: How to Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones?

Healthy relationships play a significant role in maintaining emotional wellbeing.  When you’re feeling low, you can drop a text, call, or arrange a meet up with your favorite person. You can plan recreational activities around your mutual interests or simply chill while watching a movie.

Conversations over the phone, by text, or across the table can feel therapeutic. Busy schedules create distances that make these meetings impossible.

Life is too short. So stop waiting for special occasions to meet your loved ones. Instead, use fun activities and quick chats to form deeper connections. Choose a confidant to share your aspirations, fears, and achievements. It will help you make the most of the present. 

Here are some ways to reconnect with someone you love:

●     Meet up for lunch or a coffee date.

A heartfelt conversation with your family and friends can turn your frown upside down. They can lend a shoulder to cry, crack a joke to make you smile, and come up with solutions to face current challenges.

●     Plan a weekend getaway or explore the city together.

Sometimes planning a fun trip can help you power through a hectic week. It’s the perfect excuse to rest, recuperate, and enjoy each other's company.

●     Cook a meal together.

Homemade meals are comforting and soulful. Unwind by putting on an apron and stirring a tasty meal. Cooking together allows you to talk things through. Alternatively, you can stay silent and find peace in companionship.

●     Host a games night with family and friends.

Board games and charades are great stress busters. Game nights give you a reason to get together and have fun. They allow you to bond better than screen-dependent activities. Plus, you make memories that last a lifetime.

If you can’t arrange an in-person meet up, schedule a call. Hearing a friendly voice can be enough to bring a big bright smile to your face.

Write a Gratitude Journal: How to be Grateful?

Gratefulness comes with a genuine appreciation for life and its countless blessings. Maintaining a gratitude journal helps you visualize those good moments. You can also flip through the pages when you’re feeling low.

Writing a gratitude journal can uplift your mood instantly. The practice teaches your mind to shift negative thoughts and replace them with happier moments. It also reminds us that life doesn’t just give you sour lemons and limes. Some special, blissful moments in between make everything worth it.

An expert on Huff Post points out that “the constant pursuit of happiness is not sustainable. But gratitude, acceptance, peace, and love are.” 

So how do you write a gratitude journal?

Here are a few prompts to try:

●     List three things that made you smile today.

●     Name three people you love (and why you’re grateful for meeting them)

●     List three wishes and goals you achieved in the last week/month or year.

●     Write three memorable moments in the past year.

●     List three qualities people admire about you.

Pursuing happiness becomes easy when you have a journal to review. Recording everything will help you relive those special moments. If you can’t think of something, you can flip the script and plan a happier future. Manifesting and visualizing those goals can lead you toward success.

Don’t have time for journal writing? Take a mason jar and a small notepad. Write a happy thought and put it in the jar. This habit takes less time and leaves a similar mood-boosting impact. Everyone in the house can use the jar. You can review the notes over snacks to bond over the good things in life.

Be Kind: How to Practice Small Acts of Kindness?

The pursuit of happiness can be temporary when you’re only prioritizing materialistic goals. Sharing and caring for others can bring you joy that lasts longer. Small gestures give your life a purpose and are easier to fulfill than waiting for an opportunity to be charitable.

Have you heard the Chinese anecdote about happiness?

It says, “If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.”

An article from Time magazine confirms this concept by proving that altruism stimulates pleasure. Acts of kindness send the same positive vibes as eating your favorite meal or being intimate with your significant other.

You don’t need thousands of dollars to serve others. Small acts of appreciation and support are enough to make others feel good. In turn, these meaningful interactions will make you feel joyous too.

Here are some small steps you can take to hack those happy hormones with love:

●     Run errands for your neighbor.

●     Smile and compliment people.

●     Volunteer at the soup kitchen or a local shelter.

●     Donate your pre-loved belongings to someone who needs them.

●     Feed and pat animals.

●     Help someone carry bags/packages.

●     Give your delivery guy an extra tip or offer them food/water.

In short, everything done with good intentions can make an impact. Your actions cultivate a sense of community and social wellbeing around you. The thought alone can make you feel loved and comforted when you walk by someone you see daily.

Stay Happy. Stay Blessed!

You don’t have to look in the pursuit of happiness because it lies within you. Each of us can choose to stay positive. We can do that by being grateful and appreciative of what we have.

Mindful habits can bring great joy. These include loving yourself, connecting with others, serving others, and living in the moment. These self-care tips help you cope with life challenges and always hope for the best.

More importantly, you start viewing the world in a whole new way. Your appreciation, positive attitude, and generosity will attract good karma. It will also bring genuine and caring people into your life.

Need more tips and tricks? Watch this space for more posts on mindfulness, happiness, and wellbeing.