Happiness is that common goal or by-product we all crave for. But, realizing this daily aim is a bit more unattainable for majority, especially for those living with mental illness.
Some mental health experts tabled down the following tips from experiences, what they know would make us feel better if we stick fast to them.
Desist from using “Should” in your vocabulary.
“When we use the word ‘should,’ it’s like this big, judgmental finger wagging at yourself. ‘I should work out more, I should be happier, I should be more grateful.’ It causes us to feel guilt and shame. It depletes our happiness. It causes us to engage in behaviors that are completely against what we want.
Instead, replace ‘should’ with ‘I would like.’ For example, ‘I’d like to lose weight, because I want to have more energy and be a role model.’ That is more motivational, it’s more based on passion rather than the fear and judgment of ourselves that prevents us from being the people that we want to be.”
—Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., clinical psychologist.
Stop checking Smartphone constantly.
Being phone less will make most people happier and less stressed. And as supported by a study of college students at Kent State University, people who check their phones frequently tend to experience higher levels of distress during their leisure time (when they intend to relax!), Christine Carter, Ph.D., happiness expert at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center told buzzfeed.
A Comical Presentation of Anxiety and Depression
The expert added that, Instead of willing ourselves to just check less often, we can configure our devices and work time so that we are tempted less often.
Control how you respond to life issues.
“We cannot control everything that happens to us in life, but we can choose how we respond. When we respond with an attitude of ‘Why is this happening to me?’ and adopt a victim mentality, we suffer. When we choose to respond with an attitude of ‘Why is this happening for me and what can I learn?’ then we feel a lot more empowered, which impacts our mental state positively.
The biggest misconception about happiness is that we can outsource it — that something external is going to make us happy. Happiness is NOT a constant state. As humans we experience and grow through a variety of emotions. The expectation that we should be happy all the time will leave anyone with an expectation hangover. What we can be is grateful.”
—Christine Hassler, empowerment coach.