Page 12 - DINQ Magazine June 2020 Edition

For A Better Life

Ten easy steps

to
happier living

Mark Williamson and Vanessa King

1. Do things for others take notice. Learning to be more mindful from recent research is that resilience, like

Caring about others is fundamental to and aware does wonders for our wellbeing, many other life skills, can be learned.
our happiness. Helping other people is not whether it’s on our walk to work, in the way 8. Take a positive approach
only good for them; it’s good for us too. It we eat or in our relationships. It helps us get Positive emotions – like joy, gratitude,
makes us happier and can help to improve in tune with our feelings and stops us dwell- contentment, inspiration and pride – don’t
our health. Giving also creates stronger ing on the past or worrying about the future. just feel good when we experience them.
connections between people and helps to 5. Keep learning They also help us perform better, broaden
build a happier society for everyone. It’s not Learning affects our wellbeing in lots of our perception, increase our resilience and
all about money - we can also give our time, positive ways. It exposes us to new ideas improve our physical health. So although
ideas and energy. So if you want to feel and helps us stay curious and engaged. It we need to be realistic about life’s ups and
good, do good. also gives us a sense of accomplishment downs, it helps to focus on the good aspects

2. Connect with people and helps boost our self-confidence and re- of any situation – the glass half full rather
Our relationships with other people are silience. There are many ways to learn new than the glass half empty.
the most important thing for our happiness. things throughout our lives, not just through 9. Be comfortable with who you are
People with strong relationships are happi- formal qualifications. We can share a skill Nobody’s perfect. But so often we com-
er, healthier and live longer. Our close re- with friends, join a club, learn to sing, play a pare a negative view of ourselves with an
lationships with family and friends provide new sport and so much more. unrealistic view of other people. Dwelling on
love, meaning, support and increase our 6. Have goals to look forward to our flaws – what we’re not rather than what
feelings of self-worth. Our broader social Feeling good about the future is really we’ve got – makes it much harder to be
networks bring a sense of belonging. So it’s important for our happiness. We all need happy. Learning to accept ourselves, warts
vital that we take action to strengthen our goals to motivate us and these have to be and all, and being kinder to ourselves when
relationships and make new connections. challenging enough to excite us, but also things go wrong increases our enjoyment of
3. Take care of your body achievable. If we try to attempt the im- life, our resilience and our wellbeing. It also
Our body and mind are connected. Be- possible, this creates unnecessary stress. helps us accept others as they are.
ing active makes us happier as well as Choosing meaningful but realistic goals 10. Be part of something bigger
healthier. It instantly improves our mood gives our lives direction and brings a sense People who have meaning and purpose
and can even lift us out of depression. We of accomplishment and satisfaction when in their lives are happier, feel more in con-
don’t all have to run marathons - there are we achieve them. trol and get more out of what they do. They
simple things we can do to be more active 7. Find ways to bounce back also experience less stress, anxiety and
each day. We can also boost our wellbeing All of us have times of stress, loss, failure depression. But where do we find meaning
by spending time outdoors, eating healthi- or trauma in our lives. How we respond to and purpose? It might come from doing a
ly, unplugging from technology and getting these events has a big impact on our well- job that makes a difference, our religious or
enough sleep. being. We often cannot choose what hap- spiritual beliefs, or our family. The answers
4. Notice the world around you pens to us, but we can choose how we react vary for each of us but they all involve being

Have you ever felt there must be more to what happens. In practice it’s not always connected to something bigger than our-
to life? Good news – there is. And it’s right easy, but one of the most exciting findings selves.
here in front of us. We just need to stop and
Page 12 “ኢትዮጵያ ለዘላለም ትኑር“ ድንቅ መጽሔት - ሰኔ 2012