5 Habits That Will Improve Your Life And Make You A Happier Person

Alana Laverty

It’s International Happiness Day y’all.

Say cheese.

It can be easy to fall into a pessimistic rut, but so hard to climb out.

So incorporating some of these good, positive habits into your life can only be a good thing.

1. Don’t use your computer/phone/tablet in bed

C’mon guys, you all know this one.

The majority of our electronic devices emit short-wavelength blue light straight into oour eyeballs affecting melatonin production and therefore f*cks with your ability to pass out and get a good nights sleep.

Alternatively download a plugin that’ll adapt screen colours to the time of day it is — like warm at night and bright during the day — it’ll help you sleep fo-sho.

2. Start collecting something meaningful

Whether it’s stamps, quotes, records, memes or shoes — start a collection of things that mean something to you and resonate with you.

Whether it’s in a notebook, shoebox or in your wardrobe, have a place to collect things that matter to you so that you can revisit them regularly.

3. Give yourself a break

Are you a perfectionist?

Do you constantly put yourself under intense pressure and give yourself a hard time?

Well, stop it. Right now. I’m warning you.

Give yourself a break, you’re doing wonderfully — give yourself a clap on the back for all you’ve got going for yo’self, you rockstar.

4. Say no

Research conducted at UC Berkeley shows that the more difficulty that you have saying no, the more likely you are to burn out, experience stress and even depression, all of which erode self-control.

Saying no is indeed a major self-control challenge for many people. “No” is a powerful word that you should not be afraid to wield. When it’s time to say no, emotionally intelligent people avoid phrases like “I don’t think I can” or “I’m not certain.”

Saying no to a new commitment honours your existing commitments and gives you the opportunity to successfully fulfil them. Just remind yourself that saying no is an act of self-control now that will increase your future self-control by preventing the negative effects of over commitment.

5. Appreciate the here and now

Gratitude is fundamental to peace and happiness—not wealth, glamour, adventure, or fast cars, but simple appreciation for what you have.

Just because you can’t afford champagne and caviar doesn’t mean that you never enjoy a meal.

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you need something that you don’t currently have in order to be happy, because the truth is that if you can’t appreciate what you have now, you won’t be able to appreciate the ‘good life’ if you ever get it.