If you ask most people what they want out of life, they would answer that they want to be happy. Sure, some would say success, fame, fortune, contentment, fulfillment, or something else along those lines. But why would they want those things? To feel the way they imagine those things would make them feel, which is happy.
I’m sure there’s a whole host of things that people think will make them happy, and that’s part of the problem. You’re either happy or you’re not. Things can’t make you happy, at least in the long term. Sure, you may experience a burst of happiness if you buy a new car or take a Hawaiian vacation. But those things don’t make you happy.
Well if things don’t make you happy, what does? It is my experience that one’s outlook on life, one’s worldview, will determine, to a large extent, one’s happiness. For me, I have found three things that impact my outlook and as a result, my happiness. If I don’t have these three things, it will be difficult for me to be happy on a long term basis because my outlook won’t be good. Please don’t misinterpret this as advice. I am in no way, shape or form qualified to give advice on this topic. I’m just stating what works for me.
First is a good night’s sleep. I don’t function well when I’m sleep deprived. Sure, I can power through a few days on less than optimum sleep during extenuating circumstances, but as a rule, I need my sleep to function at my best. Now obviously sleep deprivation affects different people in different ways, but when I’m low on energy due to a lack of sleep, it’s tough for me to have a chipper outlook.
Second is my diet. As I’ve gotten older, I notice more and more how different foods affect my energy level. I don’t follow any strict diet per se, but I am cognizant of what I eat, when I eat, and how what I eat makes me feel. If I eat the wrong things, or even the right things at the wrong time, I can feel its effect on my energy level and thus, how I feel. Again, everybody is different, so certain foods may not affect you the same way they affect me.
Lastly is exercise. I started out using exercise as a form of weight control and I still do, to some extent, but it has evolved into so much more. I exercise now as much for the mood benefits as I do for the health benefits.
So sleep, diet and exercise are what allow me to be happy on a consistent basis. Some people ask what about the really important things, like family? Of course my family is paramount and I’m extremely grateful for them, but if I’m grouchy because I’m sleep deprived or in ill health because of a poor diet and/or a lack of exercise, how much could I really appreciate them? (And how much would they enjoy being around me?)
Ultimately, we are all responsible for our own happiness. Sure, finding a soul mate or a rewarding career can add to our happiness, but no one or no thing can cause our happiness. That is up to each of us.