Health & wellbeing

Make time for happiness

Most of us want to be happy in life. But what does that actually mean? And how can you make time for it?
Published 25 July, 2019

Happiness is frequently experiencing emotions like joy, pleasure or contentment, while also being satisfied and appreciative of life overall.

If you like the sound of that, follow these tips for making time for happiness!

 

Do more of what you enjoy

 

Often, we get busy and prioritise other responsibilities. Set a goal to prioritise an enjoyable activity this week, by choosing from one of three categories and planning to do the activity this week.

1. An activity you enjoy doing alone, such as painting, baking, taking a bath, or reading.

2. An activity you enjoy doing with others, such as going out to dinner, taking a hike, or visiting a museum.

3. An activity you find meaningful. This could be volunteering at your local community centre or sorting through clothes to donate to charity.

Research shows that doing a variety of activities can have the greatest impact on overall happiness and life satisfaction. So after trying an activity from one category, consider trying one from another category on a different day.

 

Take time to reflect 

 

After you complete the activity, reflect on whether it made you feel happier, and what thoughts and feelings stayed with you afterwards.