Happiness Hacks

Calm the mind by breathing deeply five times from your belly, like you naturally did when you were a baby. Stop the mental thought chatter and just “be.” Experience the present moment as it eternally renews itself in infinite diversity. To be mindful is to have an awareness of the moment without thinking or talking about it. By slowing the breath and thought, you will experience tranquility and happiness. 

When your train doesn’t arrive on time or your flight is delayed, see the opportunities—get out your laptop or a notepad and make a list of positive things that could come about because of the delay. Think of that “stolen time” as a blessing that gives you extra time to use in myriad ways. You could: 

• Make some phone calls
• Catch up on paperwork
• Study a map
• Brainstorm some new adventures
• Write some postcards, emails, or posts

Focus on your thinking at the start of every day. Are you already mentally racing through your to-do list? Are your thoughts jumping from one subject to another thanks to thought associations? Did a troubling dream leave you anxious or angry or fearful upon awakening? If you answered yes to any of these questions, spend ten minutes doing a mental check-in before you even get out of bed. Take deep breaths and be aware of your entire body. Feel anchored and centered in it. Quiet your mind. Think positive thoughts. Dial out the emotions of bad dreams and the anxieties associated with the day ahead. Relax into peace. The world can wait for ten minutes. 

If you’ve ever asked someone what their purpose in life is, you may have gotten a blank stare and silence. It’s not like asking people to tell you what their job is. They are going through the motions of their lives and they know what they do every day—especially at their places of employment—but the word in your question that has thrown them off is “purpose.” Purpose is the reason for doing something or why it exists. Working at a job is necessary to earn money, but it isn’t your purpose. Living purposefully means much more than your job. Here’s a hint: purpose likely will have something to do with love, compassion, peace, consciousness, truthfulness, meaning, awakening, or courage. Figure out your purpose, too, and then spark a dialogue on that topic with others. People are happiest when life has meaning and purpose for them. 

When you feel passionate about a hobby, whether it is painting murals on the walls of children’s rooms, sculpting bowls from driftwood, or making cigar box shrines, tell your friends and other hobby enthusiasts about your latest project. Word gets around. You may attract people who want to see your projects and perhaps even purchase your services or products. Post photos of your creations on social net- working sites. You never know what wonderful opportunities may come your way when you put aside false modesty and instead promote yourself and your passion for your particular hobby. 

You can save someone’s life through donation of your vital organs after you’ve passed on by signing up with the organ registry in your state and by letting the Department of Motor Vehicles know your wishes the next time you renew your license. Registering to be an organ donor is easy and can make a huge difference for an individual fighting for his or her life as well as that person’s family. Live happier knowing that at your life’s end, the organs you no longer need can give someone else a fighting chance to live. 

If you love to read, spend some time reading to children. You can read books to kids anywhere: at home, at a local library, at an infant and toddler daycare center, at a nursery school, in a doctor’s or dentist’s waiting room, in a hospital waiting room, or even at kids’ organizations like the Cub Scouts or Brownies. Just be sure that your book is appropriate for the age group. A funny book will inspire laughter, and you’ll likely laugh too—the happy laughter of children is infectious. 

When you meet a neighbor while, say, you’re out walking your dog, say hello. Invite her to go grab some coffee. Get to know her. That means finding out what is important to her, what her hobbies are, what kind of work she does. Find out what mutual interests you share. From that beginning, you can build friendships with your neighbors. 

Perfection isn’t possible. But many people pursue perfectionism with such vigor that it can actually be damaging. It’s time to readjust that thinking. According to the 60 percent rule, if your friendships, work life, and relationships are 60 percent “perfect,” then you are doing something right. Keep up the good work! Pushing for perfectionism will cause you unneeded stress and anxiety—instead, embrace the imperfect and feel happier. 

There is a certain kind of happiness that comes from finding people who under- stand you and your goals and who support and accept you. Go out there and find your tribe! Look around your community, check local Meetup groups, investigate Facebook groups, visit spiritual centers, join discussion groups . . . you can find communal possibilities for almost any area of interest. If you’ve had issues with addiction, 12-step groups made up of people who have been where you’ve been and who know the struggles you face have been proven to be pivotal to eventually overcoming addiction. The wonderful thing is that, based on your interests and needs, you can have more than one tribe. Find some like-minded people who truly “get” you, and you’ll feel the happiness of acceptance.