The 5 keys to happiness2 min read

Why is happiness so important?

I guess it may seem like an obvious question, of course it’s important, we all want to be happy!

But why is it so important?

Happiness is so fundamental to our wellbeing.

There is so much ongoing wok we can do on ourselves to make sure we have all the tools we need to succeed and fly. Courses to take, new skills and approaches to adopt and adapt.

All this work becomes so much harder, and in some instances pointless, if we don’t have the fundamentals in place, a solid foundation on which to build and happiness is key.

What if we aren’t happy?

A loss of happiness is draining, it saps our energy, and unless addressed we see our motivation and results plummet. (Need a motivation boost? Read more here)

At its extreme being unhappy can lead to the spiral of depression.

What can we do to be happier?

We need to take time out to care for ourselves, and the good news is that the time needed isn’t as much as you might think.

5 keys to happines – essentials for creating and maintaining happiness

Here are my 5 essentials that will ban the blues and have you feeling happier.

1. Practice gratitude:

Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you’re thankful for in your life.

Try to make this a habit, this will make it easier to do over time and help to re-enforce positivity.

For more tips about maintaining a positive outlook have a look at my article ‘Tips for feeling positive – keep burnout at bay’

2. Connect with others:

Spend time with loved ones. If time permits, then join a social group or volunteer in your community.

3. Take care of your body:

Eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.

4. Find your passion:

Engage in activities that bring you joy and purpose.

5. Be kind to yourself:

Perhaps the most important of all in many ways.

Practice self-compassion and let go of negative self-talk. Remember to treat yourself as you would a good friend.

Find out more in my blog ‘Are your self-critical voices running your life?’

Summary – 5 keys to happiness

As you can see this list is not about really taking large chunks of time to do things differently.

It is more about adapting ourselves and building in healthy physical, mental, and emotional habits in our approach to the world.

As with all habits, it only takes a little bit or repetition to find yourself reaping the benefits.

Here’s to feeling happy!

If you have any questions or feedback regarding this article, any of the issues it raises, or if you’d just like to get in touch to find out more about fulfilling your true potential I would love to hear from you.