Happiness is easier than you think

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Did you know that research has found that happiness is:

  • 50% Genetic – Set by the genes you have inherited from your family
  • 10% Extrinsic – Impacted by the amount of money, social status, or job we might have
  • 40% Intrinsic – Created by our internal state of mind driven by the intentional activities we do daily. 

Yes, you just read this correctly. 

Today, starting right now, you can impact 40% of your happiness with the activities you intentionally choose to take daily.  Here are some ways you can start impacting that 40% of your happiness starting right now:

  • Strengthen your relationship with friends and family.  Having a community around you is one of the most important things you can do to achieve greater happiness. If you feel a bit overwhelmed by this, start small.  You don’t have to be best friends with your entire neighborhood.  Start with strengthening your bond with a combination of a few friends, family members and co-workers.  This handful of people should consist of ones that validate your self-worth, make you feel secure, will be there for you in times of need, help you grow and learn as a person, are caring and understanding, and most importantly, are fun to be around!
  • Be of service.  Being of service is one of the most healing things we can do, for someone else and for ourselves.  I believe it is one of the reasons we are on earth as it provides us opportunities to love, learn, and grow.  When you believe you are in need of help, help someone else.  You will see what this does to your overall wellbeing. 
  • Get physically active.  I love to exercise, though intense activity might not be for everyone.  Again, start small, maybe begin going on more walks before or after your workday.
  • Choose how you respond to adversity.  You are always at choice.  No matter what.  From the most serious situations, to those that are lighter, though I understand this is difficult to believe.  Something that will help you choose how you respond to adversity is starting or deepening a meditation practice. 
  • Focus on your personal growth so you can be who you really are.  We will always make a terrible “someone else”, but we will always make an amazing and phenomenal unique individual.  Figure out who you are and then let go of the fears that keep you from shining. 
  • Get into FLOW regularly. FLOW occurs when you are so completely absorbed by what you are doing, that you forget time and space and you become immersed in a feeling of energy and enjoyment in the activity you are doing.  Here’s a good video on FLOW

A while back, I watched the documentary film Happy.  I loved every moment of it and I am pretty sure you will too.  Here’s a trailer of the film introducing Manoj Singh, a rickshaw driver in Kolkatta who was found to be just as happy as the average American family. To be clear: I do not believe we should romanticize poverty.  The benefits of education and healthcare are great.  Yet, I challenge you reflect on what Manoj Singh can teach us on how he views aspects of life.  

I hope this article is of service to you.

The official trailer of the film. 

Do you know someone who would benefit from becoming happier? Share this article with them. As always, leave a comment or question below, I would love to hear from you.  

Judith