Everyone in this world wants to be happy, that’s a given. However, depending on who you are and how you were brought up, we’ve all got different ideas about what it is that can provide lasting contentment.
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Some people think it’s love, others think it’s travelling, others think it’s money. But in reality (without wanting to sound like too much of a hippie) true happiness comes from within and the actions that you take.
This of course is easier said than done. The fast paced world that we live in just begs for depression or anxiety, the rates of which continue to rise in the western world. However, there are some small steps you can make to improve your life and give you that much needed peace of mind that you’re always chasing. Psychologist Anita Sanz, recommends taking on these nine basic daily habits:
Maintain your body and mind through good nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
Challenge yourself to learn something new.
Improve your surroundings in some way.
Tend to your important relationships in some form.
Handle something from the earth (flowers, gardening, yard work, chopping vegetables).
Look for the Good (gratitude practice).
Connect to Beauty (read, write, listen to music, create or enjoy works of art).
Create empty space (completely unfocused, non productive time).
Automate these habits as much as possible.
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To do these things on a daily basis you have to be able to:
- Set clear, achievable goals related to these habits.
- Pick 3 things you want to accomplish each day that move you closer toward your goals (preferably one thing related to your work, one to your personal life, and one related to self-improvement).
- Educate yourself on any of the areas you need to know more about to be successful (for example, nutrition, sleep hygiene, meditation, nurturing relationships, automating habits).
- Become disciplined and accountable to yourself.
- Understand how to work with time, energy, and motivation.
So there you have it – if you’re at a loose end this weekend, why not sit down and really think about each one of these habits and how you can realistically incorporate them into your daily schedule.
While we’re on the topic of self-improvement and serenity, check out the Alan Watts philosophy. Peace.
