Shortcut to Happiness

Are you happy today? Or have you postponed it until you achieve something? Join the gang of perennially unhappy folks, because you will never be happy. Happiness is our birth right, something that we have been born with. Still, such is life that it continues to elude us. Archna Darshan tells you 20 ways to stay happy today, tomorrow and always
1. Live within your means. A lot of stress comes from financial worries, which can give you sleepless nights. Assess your means and learn to live in it. You may have sacrifice impromptu excursions, shopping but it’s better than counting sheep at night.
2. Learn to handle politics. Where ever there is a group there will be politics. Either you get in the midst of it, or learn to bypass it. Staying unhappy is not a solution.
3. Take care of your health. When you are not well, it’s difficult to feel optimistic. Eat well, sleep on time and take out time for exercise.
4. Remember to smile. It is a curve that sets a whole lot of things right.
5. Organise your life and set your priorities right. You should know what is more important for you at a given time. Stick on it.
6. Learn to say no. Most of us are unhappy because we don’t know how to say no. Trying to be good to everyone is to be unkind on yourself. You should know your limits and say no, when you think you are stretching yourself too much, because stress and stretch go together.
7. Learn to forget the past. Most of us are hanging in the time machine, playing the record that happened many years ago. It is not right.
8. Screen yourself from negative people. You know them. They are like viruses and they are not good for your enthusiasm.
9. Either do a thing or don’t do. For heaven’s sake don’t do it half heartedly. It kills your soul.
10. Love passionately. No, we are not talking about carnal desire alone, though it is an integral part of the happiness package. You should love yourself intensely. Once you are at peace with yourself, it’s hard to stay unhappy.
11. Learn to defuse stress. There can be days when stress will overwhelm you. Take a break from the stressful situation. Watch a comedy show or movie, listen to soul soothing music, cook from the scratch, go out for a stroll or talk to a friend. But, do find out what helps you keep stress in control.
12. Take a multivitamin. How is it connected to happiness? Well it is connected to good health, which is linked to happiness.
13. Look at the brighter side. Is it possible? Only if you train yourself to do so, because every cloud has a silver lining. At any point in life you could throw in the towel, but what makes the difference is the amount of persistence.
14. Invest in relationships to stay happy. It’s difficult to be happy alone. You need friends. Nurture them.
15. Spend time with children. They can teach you a thing or two about staying happy.
16. Gift generously. It doesn’t need to be monetary all the time. Saying thank you doesn’t cost money, but it can make people happy.
17. Walk in the shoes that pinch. Before you judge people think of their circumstances. Empathy makes us human. Cultivate it.
18. Ask for help. Don’t expect people to read your mind.
19. Forgive yourself. When you forgive others you actually forgive yourself from pain.
20. Don’t forget to exercise. Exercise keeps us healthy and allows us to focus in the moment, which is critical for happiness.
Most importantly, you have to be accountable for your happiness.