Happiness Is a Choice - 7 Ways to Choose Happiness

You can be happy without being happy all the time. Authentic happiness isn't the absence of negative emotions or difficult feelings. Your genetics and environment shape your happiness level from a young age. That doesn't mean you can't do anything to change your happiness level, you can boost your happiness and it starts with a choice. You can choose to be happy, even if the circumstances of your life or the current situation you're in don't feel particularly happy. This choice is a constant effort. Let’s review 7 ways you can choose happiness. Be grateful. Gratitude is one of the most powerful tools for enhancing happiness. It shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have. Embrace Flexibility. Life is unpredictable, and being flexible can help you navigate its ups and downs more smoothly. Embracing flexibility reduces stress and helps you maintain a positive attitude even in the face of change or adversity. Think positively and look for the silver lining. If you notice negative thoughts creeping in, correct them with something more positive. Those negative thoughts are rarely accurate, they're just your worst fears manifesting themselves in your mind to create anxiety. Try smiling. As tough as things might be, smiling really works to improve your mood. Choose kindness to get a feel-good happiness hormone boost. Friendships are important but be intentional about who you spend time with – the people in your life should be supportive, they should uplift you, and they should care about you just as much as you care about them. Mindfulness is an incredibly useful tool when it comes to choosing happiness – whatever method of mindfulness you prefer, it helps root you in the present and when you're grounded in the present, it's much easier to recognize your blessings and choose happiness. You will be as happy in this life as you choose to be. Be prepared to make that decision daily and to set your intention to choose happiness every day.