Ten Simple Ways to Live a Happier Life

If you're looking to put a bit more bounce in your step (and why wouldn't you be), here are ten simple ways to live a happier life.
By aha insurance - Jul 30, 2018

At aha insurance we continually explore ways to stay in control of all aspects of life – because we know life is about more than insurance. In our Life Matters series we talk about staying in control of your life and living on your terms. Control feels great!

Stay Healthy

Eat healthy foods as much as possible because the thrill you initially get from sugar and fat consumption often leave you feeling sluggish and down when the high wears off. Exercise regularly to release “happy chemicals” in our brains, and get enough sleep because nobody is happy when you’re overtired and cranky. Try to manage stress as best you can. Avoid consuming too much alcohol. Get regular physicals and see a professional for physical or mental ailments as soon as you notice symptoms.

Live in Gratitude

Ever heard the saying, “Happy people don’t have more, they’re just grateful for what they’ve got?” Well, it’s a cliché, but true.

“If you’re always pessimistic and negative, it becomes part of you and leaves little room for happiness.”

Control Yourself

Or at least your thoughts. Garbage in, garbage out, right? So try to monitor the gate of negativity and bad thoughts flowing into your mind. Sure, life has some downs, but they don’t have to forever live in your outlook on life. If you’re always pessimistic and negative, it becomes part of you and leaves little room for happiness. If you’re always pessimistic and negative, it becomes part of you and leaves little room for happiness. Try to focus on being consciously aware of your thoughts and being more upbeat about what takes permanent residence in your brain.

 

Do what you Love

Whether it’s work or play. We can’t always pay the bills doing what we love, but that doesn’t mean it has to disappear from our lives. Ideally, a career doing something you enjoy is a great way to live happier, but even spending leisure time doing stuff you love can balance out the scales.

Nature Nurtures

Fresh air and nature have been scientifically proven to create feelings of well-being, calm and happiness. So find something you enjoy doing outdoors, even if it’s as simple as a walk, and get outside to put a smile on your face.

Prioritize People, Not Stuff

That includes electronic gadgets and social media. You’re not going to lie on your deathbed and wish you had watched one more YouTube video, but time with family and friends or doing things you enjoy? You’ll never regret more of that.

So stop aiming for a bigger house or a more expensive purse. Put down the phone to focus on the important people in your life. Happiness will follow.

Value Yourself

How can anyone be happy if they don’t believe they’re worthy of happiness? Self-esteem is a critical key to feeling happy. Nobody is perfect, but there sure are a lot of blissfully imperfect people out there who have learned to accept their own flaws as a part of life, and still feel good about themselves.

“Smile as much as possible! It’s another scientifically proven way to increase happiness.”

Positivity Grows

Definitely, take the time to process your rough patches in a healthy way, but then move on. Smile as much as possible! It’s another scientifically proven way to increase happiness.Smile as much as possible! It’s another scientifically-proven way to increase happiness. Give some of your positivity to others and help out whenever you can, whether through volunteering, charity or just being a good neighbour or friend.

Manage Expectations

There’s no quicker way to be constantly disappointed than to have unrealistic expectations of yourself and others. Try to see the good in every situation and forgive and forget quickly if something or someone lets you down. You have to decide if you want to dwell on things that bring you down, or you want to focus on living a happier life. Ultimately, be crazy, be stupid, be silly, be weird, be whatever. Because life is too short to be anything but happy!

“The more you write it down, the more your mind will keep thankfulness front and centre, and feeling content equals happiness.”

aha insurance is Canada’s first car and home insurance brokerage to offer a fully online customer experience. Customers can purchase and manage their car and home insurance online in minutes from the convenience of wherever they are. This puts customers in complete control, and control feels great.