Everyone wants to live happily, but many don't know how. What's more, daily activities, work, technology, and health problems are quite a concern. If your life isn't fun right now, make a plan to make changes in the year that will help you achieve a happy life and maintain good health. An important step that allows you to enjoy a happy life is to live your daily life by exercising, working, recreation, and socializing in a balanced way.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Evaluating Your Current Living Condition
Step 1. Determine what happiness means to you
Everyone is free to interpret the word "happy" subjectively according to their own understanding. First of all, do some reflection to determine the things that you consider important in everyday life. Ask yourself: what is the purpose of life you want to achieve? what makes you feel happy? How to achieve happiness can be determined if the questions above have been answered.
Don't let other people determine what life means to you. Many people consider certain conditions to be a measure of happiness, rather than based on universal needs, such as starting a household, having children, enjoying pleasant experiences, or having a prospective career. After all, what you think is meaningful is synonymous with something very important to you
Step 2. Get into the habit of journaling
Jot down everyday experiences, whether it's frustrating or enjoyable. This method is beneficial for improving mental health and helps you become aware of positive and negative habits as you go about your daily life. What's more, journaling is a means of reflecting on your thoughts and feelings so that you get to know yourself better. In addition, you are able to form a new positive mindset to relieve stress and overcome problems.
Determine the most effective means of journaling, such as using a pen and notebook or laptop. Whatever means you use, make sure you can put your thoughts into writing and use them as material for reflection
Step 3. Share your daily life with others
Sometimes, what you really want and need is to express yourself to other people. In addition, they can provide useful input that has not been thought of until now.
If you don't want to talk to a family member or friend, make an appointment to see a counselor. Undergoing therapy with storytelling is an effective way of dealing with emotional problems and forming positive thinking patterns that trigger feelings of happiness
Step 4. Determine the aspects of life that make up your daily life
Write down the things that you think are important in your daily life, such as socializing, working, worshiping, gathering with family, recreation, exercise, and donating. Then, do an evaluation to determine how high your level of satisfaction with each aspect of life is. Happiness in life is achieved if you are able to balance the aspects of life that are priorities when living your daily life.
Keep in mind the phrase "Don't overdo it". Reduce excessive activity so that you can live a balanced life
Step 5. Find out how to allocate additional time to plan activities that have not been implemented so far
For example, if you've been contributing less to your community and rarely exercising, think about how to give yourself more time to do these activities.
- To raise awareness of the community, make plans to organize several charities.
- To maintain health, prepare a financial budget to calculate the availability of funds to pay gym membership dues. Time to find information about this by visiting the nearest gym.
- If you're very busy, think about activities you could reduce to get the extra time or resources you need. The best way is to start by reducing the activities that take up the most time (such as work).
Step 6. Take time to evaluate your living conditions every few months
Review your daily life (for example, by reading a journal) and determine whether or not the changes you have made have been useful by evaluating how happy you are now. Don't think about what other people think about your life because you live it yourself.
As difficult as it is, give yourself enough time to change the current state of your life. Work on changing small things over the course of a year. After that, you can determine what makes you happy
Part 2 of 4: Applying The Right Tips When Living Everyday
Step 1. Learn to let go of the things you can't control
In reality, there are many things in everyday life that are difficult or out of control for us. This is a natural thing. While certain situations are impossible to change, you can change how you react to them. The desire to change something that cannot be changed is often self-defeating and triggers stress.
Whenever you think about something you can't control, write it down on a piece of paper, put it in a box, then ignore it. Letting go of something that triggers stress gives you the opportunity to focus on the things you can control
Step 2. Live life in the present
Instead of continuing to struggle to realize future dreams, think about how to live a fun day. You cannot enjoy life if you are fixated on long-term goals. Real life happens only in the present. This step doesn't suggest that you go about your daily life as if tomorrow is the end of the world because no one can say for sure, but it's a good idea to take the time to enjoy each day's present in the following ways:
- Do the tasks one at a time. Don't do multiple tasks at the same time.
- Take a break before starting the next task so that you have time to reflect and not feel rushed.
- Set aside 5-10 minutes a day to just sit back and do nothing.
- Chew food slowly while observing the taste and texture of the food being eaten.
Step 3. Do something new every week
Find out what fun activities are in your city by asking friends, reading the local newsletter with the schedule for performing arts, or going online. Dare to take risks to do new activities alone or with friends. Make sure you have new experiences with an open mind. This step provides many benefits, for example:
- Build courage by facing things that are not yet understood.
- Overcome boredom.
- Provide opportunities for self-development.
Step 4. Learn new knowledge
Take free courses via websites, in class, or online videos. Find out which educational institutions offer low-cost courses to learn photography, computers or other skills you are interested in, for example through these links:
- https://ruangguru.com
- https://www.zenius.net
- https://learning.kemdikbud.go.id
Part 3 of 4: Applying Limits in Work Life
Step 1. Don't work on weekends
Make sure you allocate time for yourself and/or family members 2 days a week. Remind yourself that it is abnormal to work weekends so that living conditions are not normal. If you can work less hours in one aspect of your work life, you will have more time to enjoy other aspects of your daily life.
Think of work as a balloon that continues to expand when filled with air. The need for more work time if you always prioritize work because there are more tasks to be completed. Make sure you work only on weekdays
Step 2. Turn off electronic devices when you get home
Have family members do the same a few hours a day so you can communicate with each other. Research shows that life is more enjoyable if you don't check your email or messages as often. So, turn off your phone so you can enjoy the company of your loved ones.
Step 3. Do risky things at work
Volunteer in a particular community or work beyond a set target. Work feels more fun if you take the initiative and make use of more knowledge.
However, remember that a balanced life is also important. Ask yourself whether or not you need to work longer hours to do something fun even if you need less time to enjoy other aspects of life. Only you can answer that
Step 4. Remember why you are working
Many people work to enjoy life. If you spend all your time working so you don't have time to spend time with your family or do the things you love, think about how to reduce your hours.
However, you can work hard if the job provides many benefits and the desired living conditions because the most important thing is what you prioritize to achieve happiness in life
Part 4 of 4: Keeping Healthy
Step 1. Set aside time to exercise regularly
You can live a healthier and longer life if you regularly train your heart and muscles for at least 30 minutes per day. Take care of your physical health in the following ways:
- Invite family members or friends to do outdoor activities while adventuring. Think of fun ways to exercise a few times a week or on the weekends, such as hiking, biking, walking in the neighborhood, or working out with a team.
- Join a sports club or hobby community. If you enjoy playing sports with a team, join a soccer, futsal, or basketball club. Look for information about sports clubs and hobby communities that are active at night or on weekends.
- Do a new physical exercise. If you usually work out at the gym, change your workout routine by taking a new class or exercising outside, such as jogging or running a few times a week.
Step 2. Take time for an outdoor walk
Seeing the beautiful natural scenery makes you feel amazed and amazed. So, do activities while enjoying the beauty of nature every chance you get to maintain your health and express admiration.
Step 3. Get in the habit of getting a good night's sleep as needed
Make sure you get 8 hours of sleep every night and set aside time to prepare before bed and when you wake up 1 hour each. This step makes you feel more relaxed and comfortable. Make a sleep schedule and apply it consistently. The habit of applying a good sleep pattern makes it easy for you to fall asleep at night.
Prepare a quiet and dark bedroom so you can fall asleep more easily. Do not consume caffeine before bed at night that keeps you awake
Step 4. Volunteer in charity work
Donate time and give help to people who need it. Research shows that this step triggers feelings of happiness, increases the ability to empathize, and makes life enjoyable.
Find out about volunteer opportunities by accessing a charity community website, asking friends, or reading the newspaper
Step 5. Establish good relationships with other people in the community
Set aside at least 1 hour a week to interact with positive, supportive people without getting distracted by work. This step is beneficial to improve mental health and reduce stress. Remember that the support of others in the community is needed to maintain health.