Happiness Is More Than Positive Thoughts – It’s Also About Having Fun!
18 April 2023
The Collins Dictionary defines happiness as “the quality or state of being happy”. This gives you very little information about the idea or feeling of fun, or the state of true happiness. Looking at some different things that happiness can be, one realises in truth that happiness is in fact in the mind of the beholder. However, happiness also equates to having fun when it is broken down! Let’s have a look at how this is so.
Your Needs are Met – When you are happy, you usually don’t tend to have any needs that aren’t being met to the level you want them to be. It doesn’t mean that you are not having a hard time though. Balancing your needs can be tricky. But adding in some fun each day can make a difference. An example such as maybe going for a walk.
You Feel Satisfied – When you are happy you tend to feel simply satisfied with your life. You think about your life and feel good about it. You feel very satisfied when you look around your life and see all the fortune you have whether it’s where you live, who you live with, or perhaps just about yourself. Envisaging just that little bit of fun each day though does bring a sense of additional happiness and satisfaction. A great example such as trying something new to you is one idea.
You Feel Content – As a happy person, you tend to feel really content about the things in your life. You feel content about your job, your home, your things, your personal health – nothing is nagging at your mind about anything and causing stress. But remember happy people do have stress, they’re just better at feeling content even when things aren’t perfect. Adding some additional fun to your day though will allow for the brain to release some dopamine (the natural feel-good drug) and increase your sense of wellbeing. Even the likes of doing breathe work is a fantastic start to finding contentedness in your daily routine.
You Are at Peace – As a happy person, you often feel a lot of peace surrounding your life and family. You tend to know that everything will turn out okay and you are good at turning negativity around to positivity. By adding some fun into your day, you allow for some personal time that provides stress release. This is very important to maintain a stress-free, peaceful life. By repeating mantras or positive quotes out loud is a great release and a way to find peace within yourself.
Your Definition – Happiness is how you define what it personally means for you. It’s not about getting tons of stuff unless you want that. It’s not about finding a spouse unless you want that. It’s not about having kids unless you want that. It’s all up to you and how you define happiness. Having some added fun in your day can really boost that perspective! What is happiness to you? Take a moment to think about this for yourself.
It’s a Journey – Happiness is not a destination that you get to one day and stay at. It’s a lifelong journey that will have many ups and downs and struggles. However, overall the ups and downs of life, you manage to feel good about it. In the 1989 movie, “Parenthood” one of the main characters, a mother, who is struggling states that she loves “the rollercoaster” of life while her husband is struggling and not as happy because he focuses on the downs instead of the ups. What would have happened to that relationship should a sense of fun have been introduced to the two of them on a daily basis? Imagine the changes this could have brought them both!
It’s How You Act – When you are happy you tend to act in more positive ways over all. When happy, you eat better, you move more, you think differently. You don’t worry the same way either. You have it in your power to be happy where you are in your life right now and are thankful for each day as you live your life. Acting out with a sense of happiness in your day will also override the negative feelings that twists and turns in life may otherwise bring for you. Just think of a hilarious smiling jack-in-the-box. Did that bring a smile to your face by just thinking that thought?
Happiness is more than thinking positive thoughts. Happiness is having your needs met, it’s about being satisfied with what you have while also being able to work for the things you want. Having some fun along the way at the same time though will make all the difference. While you do have to do more than think just positively to feel happy, it does start with your thoughts and then with your actions including what type of fun activities you choose to include each day.
Get Started with Some Fun!
To get you started, here is a list of some simple things you can do any day to bring you a little more happiness while having fun at the same time. We've included some prompts to get you started…
Movies I'd like to see:
Museums I'd like to visit:
Places I could volunteer:
Books I'd like to read:
Exercise Group / Gym I'd like to join:
Music I like to listen to:
Places I can go for a walk:
People I can visit / call:
Restaurants I want to try:
Shops I'd like to visit:
Places I can visit locally:
Classes I could join:
DIY projects I could do:
Recipes I'd like to try:
Places I'd like to hike / bicycle:
Road trips I want to take:
Things that need cleaned/organized:
Other things I enjoy:
Try using these prompt starters today and get a small list of things you can do to add some added fun into your day today. Even the smallest of changes in your day can really make your daily living so much more fun. If you find you are struggling, checkout the GrowthDay app invitation below. It’s a game changer!
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