When I was a little girl, my dad used to say: "You know, we all don't live in Camelot like you do." I had no idea what he was talking about at the time, but now that I'm older I find myself thinking that Camelot sure sounds like a nice place to be.
By definition, Camelot is a time, place, or atmosphere of idyllic happiness. That’s a far cry from the state of the world right now. We are living in unprecedented times to say the least. So If Camelot doesn’t exist, where can we go to find happiness?
The truth is, happiness is not a place. It's not something we can buy, or something we can find in someone else. I don't want to sound cliché, but true happiness really is a state of mind. And believe it or not, there are plenty of ways to keep your wellspring of positivity full despite all that is going on in the world. Here are a few things to try:
7 Habits of Happy People
1. Happy People Set Aside Quiet Time
It can be hard to find silence in your hectic day-to-day, but if you carve out even a few minutes to just breathe, you’ll notice all types of positive differences in your life. Turn off the television. Put down your phone. Quiet time can be a total life-changer. It urges you to slow down and experience the benefits of mindfulness, and when practiced consistently, it can relieve anxiety, increase focus, and boost your self esteem, making you happier all around.
2. Happy People Limit Negative Media and Entertainment
The world is so noisy and it seems that all we hear is constant negativity. It's no wonder we are feeling angry, anxious and depressed. Instead of turning on the evening news or commenting on hostile facebook posts, try reading positive articles! Read an uplifting book or watch a romantic movie. Pretty soon, you will catch yourself craving the positive outlets and keeping the negative ones at bay. If all else fails, try my personal favorite — watch puppy or baby videos on YouTube! (Yes, I still tend to live in Camelot.)
3. Happy People Practice Gratitude
Focusing on being grateful for what you do have, rather than what you don’t, is a foolproof way to feel happier on a daily basis. Happy people make the most of what they have and don’t take anything for granted. When you practice gratitude, you’re more likely to experience improved mood and energy, so take time to write in a gratitude journal everyday and express your thankfulness to your loved ones.
4. Happy People Surround Themselves with the Right People
One of my favorite quotes is: “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” Happy people don’t spend their time with negative, think-the-world-is-against-them, pessimistic people. They hang out with people who are happy and supportive, who build their self-confidence and push them to their fullest potential.
5. Happy People Respect Others and Practice Kindness
Happy people are kind and respectful towards others. They treat others how they want to be treated and understand that kindness is contagious. We’re often kinder to others than we are ourselves, so without respect and kindness for others, it can be hard to find self love as well.
6. Happy People Take Care of Themselves
If you’re wondering how to feel happier, one of the most important things you can do is take care of yourself physically and mentally. Get proper sleep every night, fill your body with healthy, whole foods, work out regularly, and drink lots of water. You need to take care of yourself to do and feel your best. Your body is your temple, so it’s vital that you keep it healthy and strong so that it can serve as your haven when life starts to throw you curveballs.
7. Happy People Laugh More Often... and they SMILE!
According to a recent study, children laugh 200 times a day while the average adult only laughs 4. If you haven’t laughed yet today, spend some quality time with your kids, watch funny videos on YouTube, or come see us at Cosmetic Laser Center! (Because we live to make you smile!)
We all have days when we feel that we don't have much to smile about, but the world presents plenty of opportunities to laugh and smile, we just have to take them! Maybe we don't live in Camelot, but we can think happy no matter where life take us.
So smile darling...happiness looks beautiful on you!
