Discover Your Path to Happiness

Studies have identified many strategies for increasing positivity, yet there is no one true path to happiness. Research shows that different individuals benefit from different strategies. So in order to increase your happiness you need to figure out what works for you.

For me, exercise is one of the most important strategies for maintaining a positive focus. When I don’t have a chance to get to the gym my mood starts to sink. I try very hard to make time for exercise for me and for the people around me! But I have friends who truly hate to exercise. So while finding some way to stay fit is important, I’m sure that daily trips to the gym would not increase their happiness.

Another one of the happiness strategies that works best for me is to remind myself to have an attitude of gratitude. My cue is when I feel myself wanting to complain about something. I try to stop and deliberately look for something for which I can be grateful.

The other day one of the kids needed something for school. The first thought that popped into my mind was, “What a pain! When am I going to find time to run to the store?” But I stopped and reminded myself how lucky I am to be a mom and to have wonderful kids who are responsible enough to tell me ahead of time when they need something. And how blessed we are that we can afford to buy what we need. And isn’t it great that I have a flexible job so I can work in a trip to the store? Doing this really helps me to reframe situations so that I experience more positive emotions.

What happiness strategies work best for you? Nurturing relationships? Practicing acts of kindness? Using your strengths? Getting enough sleep? Pursuing your goals? Meditating? Figuring it out will get you on the path to happiness.