“When you give yourself permission to be human, you are more
likely to open yourself up to positive emotions.” -Psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar
We have all heard the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bob
Marley. Even though he is just a singer,
he may not have been far off on the idea that you need to stop worrying and be
happy to live a better life.
Contrary to
popular belief, happiness isn’t something you are just born with. It is a skill
that you develop over time. The key is to accept your failures, roll with the
punches, and acknowledge your failures. The most important thing to remember is
that you are not perfect. You are human, just like everyone else. Being happy
also pays off. Studies show that someone who is genuinely happy is less likely
to suffer health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, or the common flu
than someone who has negative emotions, like anger and sadness.
Here are a
few tips in staying happy: First, you need to be thankful for what you have.
Second, it’s true what they say, “money cannot buy you happiness.” Studies show
that the joy in buying or getting an object you desire disintegrates slowly.
Material things are only great for so long. Third, set real, achievable goals. Don’t
get me wrong; it is great to shoot for the moon. Just don’t aim to high or you
will never recognize when you achieve a small goal, you will only be worried
about achieving that one big goal. Lastly, focus on the positive instead of the
negative. Throughout your day, think more about what has gone right instead of
what has gone wrong. You only have one life to live; you might as well live it
right.
