Happy New Year!  In this season of resolutions, many of us are looking for ways to live a happier life.  As a mother, I believe increasing one’s happiness is a wonderful thing to do for oneself and for one’s family–an angry, bitter and unhappy woman can never make her family happy.  But how do we find our way to a happier life?

Happiness is all about us, about our mindset, what we believe and how we feel. Our circumstances, our possessions, our job and our bank account are just temporary sources of happiness. Real happiness shines from the inside out, reflecting how we feel about ourselves and how satisfied we are with who we are and how we live.  As a life coach, here are 10 practices I’ve found that enhance my daily happiness.

1- Improve your self image: For me, the first and most important source of happiness is how I feel about the image I see in the mirror.  How proud do I feel about myself? What kind of relationship do I have with myself?  Do I offer myself love, respect, acceptance and appreciation? Or is it guilt, shame, anger, and low self esteem? Being happy with who I am is my main source of happiness.

2- Don’t seek approval of others: Many women live in a way they don’t want just to please their partner, their family, or their friends.  Though this may result in short-term approval and acceptance, living according to others’ expectations will not create lasting happiness.

3- Keep your word to yourself:  Learn to say NO to what is not a priority in your life.  If you set a ME time for yourself ,do not give it up easily.  Keeping your word to yourself will greatly enhance your feeling of self worth and  self respect.

4- Eat healthy food and exercise: Healthy food will positively impact your mood and give you more energy. Working out regularly has a great effect on physical and mental health. According to a psychiatrist friend of mine, walking one hour in open air equates the effect of an antidepressant pill. So when you feel down, try going for a walk outside.

5- Let go:  Let’s face it.  There are some aspects of our lives we cannot control.  We certainly can’t control, or change, the past.  Accepting the reality that we can do nothing brings a great relief and freedom.

6- Find your passion: Working on something you love brings real satisfaction. If you haven’t yet found your passion, play around with different hobbies like making or listening to music, drawing, or writing.  Expressing your thoughts and feelings in any way will help you get clear about what your passion is.

7- Keep only fulfilling relationships: Continuing with unhealthy and non-fulfilling relationships is an energy drain.  See no. 3.

8- Keep a gratitude journal: Make it a habit to jot down 5 things in your life for which you are grateful.  If  have something you complain about all the time, follow your complaint with any positive you can find in it.  Eventually, you may find a blessing in what you were complaining about.

9- LOL: Find a reason every day to laugh, and spend time with your beloved ones having fun and laughing out loud.

10- Spend some time away from media and technology: Take a brief holiday from the TV, radio, internet, even your iPhone.  Spend the time working out, meeting friends, reading books, playing with your kids and pets, or taking a walk.  Observe how you feel.  Just few days (or even an afternoon) without media and technology will make great difference in your life and your satisfaction.

These are my tips on how to live a happier life.  What are some things you do to add happiness to your life?  What is your definition of happiness and do you find it easy to live according to this definition? What challenges do you face to live a happier life?

This is an original post for World Moms Blog by Nihad from Alexandria, Egypt. Nihad blogs at  Aurora Beams Life Coaching.

Image courtesy of  “Pretty Girl In A Hat At Sunset” by Stuart Miles,  FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nihad

Nihad is an Egyptian woman, who was born and has lived her whole life in Alexandria, Egypt. She says, “People who visited this city know how charming and beautiful this city is. Although I love every city in Egypt, Alexandria is the one I love the most.” She is a software engineer and has worked in the field for more than twenty years. But recently she quit her job, got a coaching certificate and she is now a self employed life and career coach. She says, “I believe that women in this era face big challenges and they are taking huge responsibilities. That's why I have chosen my niche -- women looking for happiness and satisfaction. I help and support them in making whatever change (career change, life change, behavior change, belief change…) they want to bring more satisfaction and happiness in their lives.” Nihad is a mother of two lovely boys, 15 and 9 years old. She states, “They are the most precious gifts I have ever had. I madly love them, and I consider them the main source of happiness in my life.” Our inspiring mother in Egypt can also be found at Aurora Beams Life Coaching.

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