This week we have International Day of Happiness and the first day of Spring. With so much going on in the world and watching the daily national and international news, you might think there’s not a lot to be happy about.

What makes you happy?

I’m pretty sure, it’s probably not ‘stuff’. Tangible things you buy, the ‘stuff’ that you surround yourself with or accumulate in your live. It might give you a temporary feeling of happiness but it’s not sustainable.

It’s not about money either. The wealthiest people in the world aren’t necessarily the happiest.

As Spike Milligan said …

“Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.”

It’s more likely to be about the space you inhabit, the people around you and your community.

Well today, out on my morning run, it was certainly a day to feel happy. It was  sunny, warm and very spring-like. I’m looking forward to spending more time my garden - that makes me happy.

Here a few ways to create more happiness in your life.

Set Healthy Happiness Habits

Think positively

How often do you end up with negative thought patterns? We can be our harshest critics and judge ourselves more harshly than we’d judge others, leading to self-doubt and creating blocks that stop us moving forward.

You beat yourself up about what you didn’t achieve, rather than focus on what you have achieved and your positive traits.

Be aware of your negative thought patterns. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Accept your strengths and imperfections (none of us are perfect) as part of who you are. Find the positive in every situation. You don’t have to be PollyAnna-ish all the time, but out of adversity comes strength and opportunity.

It’s OK to not feel OK at times but the important thing is recognise it, acknowledge it and move on. Reflect on your feeling or reaction and think about what you do better or how you can react in a different way next time. Get a sense of perspective. Is it really as bad as it seems?

If you were your own best friend, what would you say, what would you tell yourself, how would you behave?

Wellbeing

I know I mention this pretty often but how you feel, physically and mentally has an impact on how productive you are and what you’re able to get out of each day.

When you’re tired, stressed, low on energy, you’re not going to be able to think clearly or function at your best. You’re also more likely to react emotionally and take things more personally and feel less confident.

Get enough sleep, so you don’t wake up tired. Dump that late-night screen habit and switch to reading a real, hold it in your hands, book. Do a few stretches before bed

If you lie awake at night worrying about what you didn’t get done today or how much you have to do tomorrow, work on your planning and prioritising habits. You’ll feel less stressed when you know the important things are being managed and dealt with.

Move more, sit less

We all need to move more, especially if you spend a lot of your time at your desk, in front of your computer. Find time in your day to be more active. Combine the Pomodoro or ‘time blocks’ with a few minutes break to get away from your desk, get outside if you can, do a few stretches, get those arms and legs moving.

My activity tracker buzzes at me every 50 minutes which is my cue to move, get a drink and if it’s sunny get out into the garden, especially if I’ve been sitting for a while.

It doesn’t have to entail an hour in the gym, three times a week, especially if that’s not your thing. If you want to be more active, a morning/lunch-time walk/jog or exercise class gets you energised for the rest of the day.

Get outdoors more often

Being outside in nature boosts your mood and reduces stress. You’re more likely to feel happy outdoors than in the artificial indoor environment. Spend time actually noticing nature around you, even in an urban environment there are plants, birds and even animals.

Bring nature indoors with a plant or two in your office and where you spend the most time. I’ve been growing, propagating and nurturing my indoor plant collection over the winter months when it was cold, wet and windy outside.

So many studies show the importance of being outside, in green spaces to create happiness in our lives.

Build connection

Connecting with other like-minded people is important to your happiness and that of those around you. These could be your partner, family, friends or work colleagues.

Even if you’re an introvert or happy with your own company, we all need love and support from others. Create connection in a way that’s meaningful for you - small groups, shared interests, common goals.

Find time to build those connections, whether at home or at work. Setting aside time on a daily basis to connect with others. It might be a simple text message to a friend or family member or spending quality time with them, when you’re not distracted by work or thinking about something else.

Relationships can also be challenging when it comes to happiness. Do you have toxic relationships around you that drain you or bring you down? Are you a good friend and accepting of others? Even if there are people you don’t always get on with especially at work, find a way to connect. What’s something you have in common, what else might be going on for them in their lives that causes them to behave a certain way?

Be part of a community. Volunteering can be a great way of giving back to the community or a cause you care about. It can also build a sense of achievement and that connection with others as well as getting a different perspective from your day-to-day life.

And Finally ...

It's the simple things in life that make us happy, a smile, a feeling, a connection.

So what will you do today to celebrate or improve your happiness at home or at work?

Me? I’m off outdoors into the sunshine to boost my happiness (and Vitamin D levels) with a dose of spring planting and watching the tadpoles in my little pond!

If you haven't done so already, take the free 7 Day Challenge to better happiness habits.