How to Be Happy: 15 Life-Changing Steps

Choose to be Grateful

It may seem cheesy, but gratitude is a part of being happy that you have complete control over. It is so easy to complain about all the little things out of your control that frustrate you, especially if you work around a job with other people complaining about the same things. Instead, focus on the things you can control. Start with your own thoughts!

Try spending 5 minutes every morning saying or writing down everything you are grateful for. Or try thanking God for everything you have. Just fostering gratitude opens up places of joy for all that you have walked through and all the blessings that you have.

Aim to do gratefulness practice every day if you can, either in the morning or before bed. Finding the “extraordinary in the ordinary” can lead to some serious positive changes in your life.

Use Positive Words

Whether you are talking to yourself or others, the words you say and think have power. As it says in the Bible, “The power of life and death is in the tongue…” – (Proverbs 18:21)

Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg, M.D., has been doing studies that actually prove this is true – that words can literally change your brain. Angry words, shut down the functioning ability of the frontal lobe which moderates logic and reasoning centers. Prolonged exposure to negative people or your own negative words, really can effect your ability to experience and expect joy and happiness in the brain. However, when speaking positive words, or even holding a positive word (like love, peace, joy, etcetera) in your mind, activates the frontal lobe and the motor cortex which can move you into action. The longer you are focused on positive things, the better the rest of your brain functions.

Examine Your "Inner Circle"

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Choose your friends and who influences you! The people who you keep close will have a huge impact on your life. Choose friends that will hold you accountable, be honest with you, and encourage you towards your goals and dreams. When you share your time with people that build you up and encourage you, then you can build lasting relationships. These relationships contribute directly to true happiness.

Studies show us that “happy people that have better social relationships have more pleasant everyday lives. Put your energy towards building meaningful deep relationships, even if it means having fewer of them. Fill your inner circle with those who radiate positivity and lift you higher, bringing you feelings of happiness on an ongoing basis.

Make a "Bucket List"

Make a list of all of the things you’ve always wanted to do, but have been putting off for one reason for another. Interested in paddle boarding? Always wanted to try snorkeling? Prioritize the things that bring you joy and make a point to do the activities that are novel to you and would help bring you feelings of excitement and happiness, even if they seem small and trivial. When we write down our goals it makes them real. So write down your goals for the things you want to do and write down tangible steps you want to take each week, month or quarter to make this “bucket list” items a reality. As research points out, small feelings of joy add up and create a bigger sense of happiness, so don’t neglect the little things that bring a sense of accomplishment and a smile to your face.

Be Intentional with Your Time

Make a quick list of how you currently spend your time each day: watching TV, time spent with family, working, exercising, etc. Write these activities down and estimate how many hours you are putting effort towards these things daily. Now write down a list of the top five things that are most important to you. How do your two lists compare? What are you spending time focusing on that isn’t serving your higher purpose, priorities, and goals?

The most successful people in the world learn how to let their schedule reflect their truest priorities. Practicing time management in this way, by eliminating wasteful activities and blocking off dedicated time for the things that make you happiest, is a great way to feel more joy each and every day.

Improve Your Diet!

There is no doubt that eating healthier can improve the health of your mind, body and spirit. If you know that your current diet needs some work, consider what you can do to move towards a diet that contains more healing foods which will benefit your outlook in multiple ways. Amazingly, the very foods that you eat can serve as natural remedies for anxiety, can fight depression, and can boost your mood.

Start with your breakfast and consume a healthy, filling breakfast gets your whole day started on the right food- giving you the energy and focus you need to practice all of the previous 14 steps toward feeling happier.

Another step of changing your diet, is to do a whole body detox. By planning for a few weeks to “clean out” your body, you will leave yourself feeling more energized, and ready to get moving!

Lastly, healthy eating habit is to aim for eating 5+ servings of vegetables and fruits every day. While you want to always try to eat more vegetables than fruits, both are packed with vitamins and minerals. There are countless different kinds to try, so there’s got to be at least some that appeal to your taste buds!

ACT Now!

What are 3 things that you know you need to do or want to do, but haven’t? Write down the 3 most important goals you want to accomplish, and then next to each goal list the top 3 things that are causing you to stall.

If procrastination keeps you from going after your goals, make a plan to drop any excuses and to start being more actionable. Part of setting goals (and where many people get stuck) is overcoming obstacles. So it is good to think about the hurdles as well. How can you overcome the delays you are experiencing? At what step are you consistently getting stuck?Does it mean shifting around your schedule or seeking help from someone more experienced than you are? Uncertainty about your next step and feeling ill-prepared are common, but it’s important to keep making progress toward your goals with the tools you have right now. Why wait for tomorrow when you can start today!

Find and Follow Your Purpose

Start exploring why you are here on earth. Ask questions about yourself: What is it that you love to do? What activities make you feel your best? What do people love best about you? Whether by taking personality profiles, or trying new hobbies, it is part of the journey of life to discover what we were designed to do.

There is a plan and purpose for your life and a reason for you to be here. Isn’t it time to discover what that is? It can be easy to get off track and to lose sight of the bigger picture, focusing on our small day-to-day obligations, and forgetting what the end goal really is. It takes some self-control to go after our true purpose and to stay focused over time, but the end result is an enormous sense of accomplishment and ongoing motivation to stick with higher goals.