Change the way you do some things and you’ll add more smiles to your life.

There isn’t only one way to happiness. It varies from person to person, but researchers agree that these seven factors can help us to feel better:

1. Expressing emotions. Keeping your worries to yourself may lead to the appearance of digestive disorders, allergies or back pain. Try to open up to friends or family.
2. Being flexible. An open and tolerant mind is the secret to managing everything. Relax and don’t always think about how things ought to be.
3. Choose your own happiness. Don’t put other people’s wishes before your own or you’ll create situations of resentment, stress and guilt. You are only responsible for your own happiness, nobody else’s.
4. Forget about “have-tos”. Irrational beliefs (such as “I have to do it well” or “everything has to go well”) make us more vulnerable. Let everything flow and trust yourself.
5. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill. Try not to exaggerate and think that everything that happens to you is terrible. Ask yourself, is what’s happening to me keeping me from doing things that are valuable to me or others?
6. Innovate. Several studies indicate that experiencing new situations every day is related to positive emotions. Incorporate new things to your routine (learning a language or an instrument).
7. Relax your mind. Chronic stress steals our joy and damages our defences. Look for a way to reduce it: simplify, get better organised, practice meditation… Find your peace.

This post is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)