Happiness is not always easy to find, but if we head in the right direction, there is a good chance we will encounter it. There are five simple steps that we can repeat every day to feel fulfilled, says an expert in the science of happiness.
The pursuit of happiness, as enshrined by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence of the United States as one of our unalienable rights, alongside other supreme values such as life and liberty, often proves to be long and arduous, notes CNBC.
Stephanie Harrison is the founder of The New Happy, an organization that proposes a new philosophy of happiness, and the author of the book "New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That’s Got It Wrong".
After studying the science of happiness for ten years, she is convinced that there are a few simple but firm steps through which every person can feel happy. And as we get used to doing them, they become instinctive, she says.
Here are the five steps that help us feel happy:
Share Your Feelings with Others
It is much better to express your emotions to a trusted person than to keep them hidden, research shows.
For example, sharing good news with someone important in your life can increase your joy and give them the opportunity to rejoice as well. It's like when you have a problem, and someone holds your hand and comforts you, alleviating suffering.
Focus on the Next Step, Not the Final Goal
Achieving important goals is a component of a happy life. But overly ambitious goals can become overwhelming and lead us to keep postponing them.
"Remind yourself that you don't have to reach your goal today: it's enough to get a little closer to it. Every action you take and every step forward you notice can strengthen your hope and motivation," the expert says.
Harrison suggests starting smartly: "Set yourself a deadline and say to yourself 'in the next ten minutes, I will do something that will bring me closer to my goals.' For example, if your goal is to start your own business, analyze a few possible business or product names until the deadline expires," she suggests.
Do a Good Deed
Helping others is one of the safest and most powerful ways to feel better. Kindness can positively influence your emotional and physical state, reducing blood pressure and cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Take time to think about someone you know who is going through a tough time and how you could lend a helping hand. It can be something very simple - for example, sending them a text message or a funny clip, cooking something special for them, or spending time together.
Ask for Help When You Need It
The culture we live in, which Stephanie Harrison calls "Old Happy," teaches us that we must do everything for ourselves.
Therefore, many people come to believe that asking for help is equivalent to admitting failure or giving up.
In fact, asking for help means you are determined to persevere, improve, and grow, the expert emphasizes. When facing difficulties, think of someone in your life who has done what you are trying to do and what help you need. Then, find the right person and ask for their help.
Almost all of us underestimate how much others want to help us. Since an act of kindness makes people happier, in this way, you give someone the opportunity to feel happy.
Notice the Good around You
Negativity and the cultural conditioning of "Old Happy" lead us to focus on what we don't have: the promotion at work that hasn't come, that thing we want to buy, or a certain experience we crave.
Studies show, however, that the more you focus on what you have, the more satisfied you will be.
And there are plenty of things to be grateful for: enjoying good health, a colleague who always helps you, friends you can rely on, a delicious meal, or a fabulous sunrise or sunset - just a few of them. You just need to pause for a moment and take notice, Harrison points out.
T.D.