Black HealthConditionsHeart HealthMental HealthMaternal HealthBlack SkinNutrition & FitnessAdvocacy & EquityHow to Be Happy: 12 Habits to Add to Your RoutineMedically reviewed by Jennifer Litner, PhD, LMFT, CST — Written by Ann Pietrangelo — Updated on May 27, 2025DailyWeeklyMonthlyYearlyTakeawayRegardless of your version of true happiness, living a happier, more satisfied life is within reach. A few tweaks to your regular habits, like getting more sleep and exercise, may help you get there.Habits matter. If you’ve ever tried breaking a bad habit, you know all too well how ingrained they can be.Well, good habits are deeply ingrained, too. Why not work on making positive habits part of your routine? Remember, though, everyone’s version of happiness is a little different, and so is the path to achieving it.If some of these habits create more stress or just don’t fit your lifestyle, skip them. With a little time and practice, you’ll figure out what does and doesn’t work for you.Daily habitsThe following daily habits may help you achieve more happiness in your life.1. ExerciseExercise isn’t just for your body. Regular exercise can help balance brain chemicals involved in stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting happiness and life satisfaction.The trick is to avoid overexerting yourself. If you suddenly engage in a strenuous routine, you may just end up frustrated (and sore).You can start small, such as a walk around the block or 5 minutes of stretching. In time, you’ll notice the added benefits and may want to step it up a gear.. Get plenty of sleepMost adults need at least 7 hoursTrusted Source of sleep every night. If you find yourself fighting the urge to nap during the day or just generally feel like you’re in a fog, your body may be telling you it needs more rest.No matter how much our modern society steers us toward less sleep, we know that adequate sleep is vitalTrusted Source to good health, brain function, and emotional well-being.Learn some tips to help you sleep better.. Practice gratitudeSimply being grateful can give your mood a big boost, among other benefits.They don’t always need to be big things.For example, it could be something small, such as a co-worker offering you a cup of coffee or a neighbor who waved to you. It could even just be the warmth of the sun on your skin.Over time, you’ll find yourself noticing more and more positive things.Weekly habitsThe following tips include weekly habits that may help you feel happier.. DeclutterDecluttering sounds like a big project, but setting aside just 20 minutes a week can have a big impact.Set a timer on your phone and tidy up a specific area of one room — say, your closet or that out-of-control junk drawer. Put everything in its place and toss or give away any extra clutter that’s not serving you anymore.Keep a designated box for giveaways to make things a little easier (and avoid creating more clutter).You can use this trick anytime you feel like your space is getting out of control.. See friendsHumans are largely considered social beings, and it’s generally thought that having social relationships can make us happy.In adulthood, it can feel next to impossible to make new friends. But it’s not about how many friends you have. It’s about having meaningful relationships — even if it’s just with one or two people.If you don’t know where to start, you could try getting involved in a local volunteer group or taking a class. Both can help connect you with like-minded people in your area. And it’s likely they’re looking for friends, too.6. Get into natureSpending 30 minutes or more a week in green spaces can help boost your mood.Your green space could be anything, such as your neighborhood park, your own backyard, or a rooftop garden — anywhere you can appreciate and enjoy nature and fresh air.Better yet, add some outdoor exercise into the mix for extra benefit. The same aforementioned study found that people who spent time in green spaces were also more likely to exercise more frequently and for longer each time.
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2025/06/082 分