Happiness as a necessity !

Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are - Henry Van Dyke Happiness as the ancient philosopher Aristotle states is the one human desire, and all other human desires exist as a way to obtain happiness. For every person, happiness looks different. It could be being content with who you are, having a solid group of friends who are willing to accept you, or having the ability to follow your wildest aspirations. No matter how you define true happiness, a happier, more contented existence is attainable. You can get there by making a few adjustments to your daily routines. Below mentioned are a few ways in which you can practice happiness in the hustle and bustle of your daily life:- 1. Practice What Brings You Meaning - Having a purposeful intention can help you be happy in life by drawing your focus on the things that are most important to you, such as your loved ones, faith, career, and many other aspects of your life. It allows you to cut ties with people or activities that aren’t aligned with your values. Staying motivated is essential to set and accomplish short and long-term goals when things get tough. 2. Incorporate Exercise in your Daily Routine - Exercise isn’t just for your body. Regular exercise can help reduce stress, feelings of anxiety and symptoms of depression while boosting self-esteem and happiness. Exercise causes the production of feel-good endorphins, which make you happier after a workout or even just a short walk. 3. Practice Journaling - A journal is a good way to organize your thoughts, analyze your feelings and make plans. It can be as simple as jotting down a few thoughts before you go to bed. If putting certain things in writing makes you nervous, you can always shred it when you’ve finished. It’s the process that counts. 4. Don’t sacrifice your sleep - Most adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every night. No matter how much our modern society steers us toward less sleep, we know that adequate sleep is vital to good health, brain function and emotional well-being. When you rest well, you are naturally prone to feeling happier and energized to take on the day! 5. Find a self-care ritual - It’s easy to neglect self-care in a fast-paced world. But trying to find time to nurture yourself as much as you can is important in supporting your body’s responsibilities of carrying your thoughts, passions and spirit through this world. Maybe it’s unwinding your workweek with a long, hot bath or it may be adopting a skincare routine that makes you feel indulgent or reading a book before going to bed. Happiness is about being able to make the most of the good times – but also to cope effectively with the inevitable bad times, in order to experience the best possible life overall. It is also important to consider how you personally define happiness. Happiness is a broad term that means different things to different people. Rather than looking at happiness as an endpoint, it can be more helpful to think about what happiness really means to you and then work on small things that will help you become happier. This can make achieving these goals more manageable and less overwhelming. In the words of the biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard: “Happiness is a deep sense of flourishing, not a mere pleasurable feeling or fleeting emotion but an optimal state of being.”