5 Things That Can Help You Enjoy Life
Enjoying life isn’t easy – but it’s attainable. These little daily habits and mindset shifts are proven to make you happier, healthier, and give you a greater sense of enjoyment.
Exercise boosts happiness, relieves stress and tension, and improves cognitive function. It’s also an excellent way to get in touch with your feelings, so don’t be afraid to let those negative emotions out.
- Make a Bucket List
A bucket list is a fun way to focus on your aspirations. You don’t have to make every goal a travel destination (although that’s probably a good idea). It can be something as simple as getting out and exploring your local area.
It can also be a great way to stay motivated and inspired, especially when you’re feeling blah. After all, you don’t want to reach your end of life with regrets!
- Dream Big
Dreaming big is important because it helps you challenge your beliefs & expand your horizon. It also makes you explore your abilities which in turn help you in handling all kinds of challenges in life.
There is little worse than coming to the end of your life and realizing that you never pushed yourself beyond your comfort zone. Taking an active role in your dreams and pursuing them is an easy way to enjoy life. It also helps keep you sane.
- Be Present
Being present (also known as living in the moment or mindfulness) is a powerful life skill that can be mastered with some practice.
Practicing mindfulness involves paying attention to the things around you and learning to calm your thoughts when they are racing. It includes noticing sensations in your body, naming emotions as they arise and recognizing that cravings will pass.
Being present is a great way to enjoy life because it allows you to focus on what is truly in your control, and not ruminating about the past or worrying about the future.
- Get Comfortable With Being Uncomfortable
Uncomfortable feelings, like fear and anxiety, can be obstacles to growth. But they also serve a purpose.
Putting yourself in new, uncomfortable social situations triggers a unique part of your brain that releases dopamine, nature’s “feel good” chemical. This is why top athletes like Siri or Navy SEALs intentionally push themselves past their comfort zones.
This can be as simple as changing up your coffee order or taking a new route to work. You can even try a beginner writing class or a Peloton class.
- Be Grateful
Developing an attitude of gratitude is one of the most important steps you can take toward a satisfying life. Instead of rehashing upsetting events, consider taking a moment to think about all you have to be thankful for.
It can be as simple as thinking about a friend who sends funny texts or appreciating the barista who let you go ahead of them in line at Starbucks. This practice triggers oxytocin, which is associated with positive social behavior.
- Smile Often
Smiling activates the brain to release feel-good chemicals, called endorphins. These act as natural painkillers, lowering your stress levels.
Even if you’re not in the best mood, smiling can help shift your attitude. Especially when you’re around people who make you smile, it will boost your mood and create a positive chain reaction that makes you more confident.
Laugh often with friends, watch funny movies or TV shows, and read jokes online to keep your mind happy. Smiling can also improve your immune system by reducing stress, which is one of the biggest inhibitors of a healthy and strong immune system.
- Be Your Own Support
Having social and emotional support from friends and family can help you enjoy life. But it’s important to remember that you are capable of coping with problems and difficulties on your own, too. If you notice yourself getting sucked into other people’s drama, for instance, try to shift your attention to something else that makes you happy or feel good about yourself. That might be the best way to start enjoying life again..!
- Don’t Worry About the Future
Worrying is natural, but if it becomes a chronic habit or exacerbates anxiety levels, it may be time to build better coping skills. If you find yourself thinking about the COVID-19 pandemic or a home reno project that’s in the future, focus on what you can control.
Constantly worrying about things that are outside of your control robs you of the joy in the present, saps your energy, and keeps you up at night. We’re only on this planet for a short time and worrying about the unknown can leave you missing out on many opportunities.