Peace of mind is a pretty good measure of personal success and happiness, and contributing to others’ well being is the highest expression of this. But it’s almost impossible to add to other peoples’ happiness if you’re not happy within yourself.
With that in mind, here are eight small changes that you can make to your daily routine that will immediately start to increase your personal happiness and inner peace:
1. Start each day with an intention
If there’s any big truth about life, it’s that it usually lives up (or down) to your expectations. Therefore, when you rise from bed, make one of your your first thoughts about how you intend to live through your day; the positive approach you intend to take with someone or something. You may also say to yourself: “something good is going to happen today” Guess what? You’re probably right.
2. Take time to plan and prioritise
A very common source of stress is the perception that you’ve got too much to do. Rather than obsess about it, pick one thing that, if you get it done today, will move you closer to your goal and purpose in life. Then do that first.
3. Give a gift to everyone you meet
I’m not talking about something wrapped in paper. Your gift can be your smile, a word of thanks or encouragement, a gesture of politeness, a hug, even a friendly nod. And never bypass people asking for charity without leaving them something. Peace of mind is worth your spare change.
4. Assume people have good intentions
Since you can’t read minds, you don’t really know the “why” behind the “what” that people do. Imputing evil motives to other people’s behavior adds extra misery to life, while assuming that good intention underlies their weird or bad behaviour leaves you open to reconciliation. Most people do not start their day with the intention of upsetting you!
5. Eat high quality food mindfully
Sometimes we have to scoff something quickly to keep us up and running. Even so, at least once a day, eat something really delicious, like a favourite fruit, a piece of fine cheese, or an imported chocolate. Focus on it; taste it; savour it.
6. Relax your focus on results
The big enemy of happiness is worry, which comes from focusing on things outside your control. Once you’ve taken action, there’s usually nothing more you can do. So let go. Focus on the job at hand rather than a fantasy of what might happen.
7. Turn off “background” TV
Many households leave their TVs on as “background noise” while doing other things. The ultimate aim of mainstream advertising is to make you dissatisfied with your life so that you’ll buy more stuff. Why subliminally program yourself to be a mindless consumer?
8. End each day with gratitude
Just before you go to bed, write down at least one positive thing that happened. It might be something as small as a making a child laugh, helping a friend or enjoying some fresh air and sunshine. Whatever it is, be grateful for that day because it will never come again.
Need to improve your mental health? Our team at North Brisbane Psychologists can help. Book an appointment today.