Families For Life | 10 natural ways to get your serotonin fix

A happy life starts with happy habits! Being happy isn’t just about transient happiness (that burst of pleasure you get from vacations or little treats for yourself). Happiness that endures needs to be built by practicing healthy habits that increase your satisfaction with your life.

Start by adding these habits to your daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly routines! Feel free to be picky with what to include in your list and consider inviting your partner to join you! When it comes to being more comfortable and satisfied with your life, you’re in control of choosing your path!

Three Daily Habits for Happiness

1. Exercise

You can start small with a walk around the neighbourhood or challenge yourself to run or jog every evening. The benefits of exercise aren’t just physical, they’re mental too! When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones that improve your mood. Just remember not to overexert yourself!

2. Get plenty of sleep

Ensure you get your seven hours of sleep every night. Proper rest is important for optimal brain function and emotional well-being. If you have trouble sleeping, try creating a bedtime ritual. It can be as simple as having a warm glass of water before bed or listening to relaxing music.

3. Practice gratitude

Expressing gratitude helps us find and acknowledge the good in our lives. It’s one way to connect with something beyond ourselves, whether it’s with other people or with the world around us.

You can practice gratitude by penning three things you’re thankful for that day. They can be small things, like going for lunch with your family, or getting a hug from your loved one.

Three Weekly Habits for Happiness

1. Declutter your space

Set aside 20 minutes to clean one specific area in your home. You could reorganise a cluttered drawer or tidy a messy desk. Put everything in place and toss out items that you don’t use anymore. You can get your family members to help out too. A clear space will help everyone feel so much better!

2. Meet up with friends!

As adults with plenty of commitments, it can be difficult to find time to meet up with friends. It can be even harder for parents! But setting aside some time per week (or every other week) to connect with your friends can give you that serotonin boost you need. It’s the meaningful relationships with our loved ones that get us through tough times and help us find happiness!

3. Embrace nature

Spending time in the sun does wonders for the mood and clears the mind. Why not meet up with friends for a picnic or a hike? Give it a try!

Three Monthly Habits for Happiness

1. Give back to the community

Giving back to the community can be a mood booster. However, if you don’t have time to volunteer, you can still make a difference to those around you! You can volunteer to clean your parents’ homes or help them to pick up groceries. Giving back can also include cooking your partner’s favourite food and giving small compliments to spread the joy!

2. Take yourself out

Can’t find someone to accompany you to that new pasta restaurant? Treat yourself to some quality me-time and take yourself out! Spending time alone can help you reconnect with yourself and rediscover activities that bring you joy.

3. Create a thought list

A thought list can help you stay in control of your thoughts. When you get a quiet moment, let your thoughts loose on a piece of paper or into your phone’s notes app! Try focusing on the positives and pen down some happy memories too.

One Yearly Habit for Happiness

1. Re-evaluate your goals

This is a yearly evaluation separate from your end-of-year reflection! The goal here is to take stock of your life and readjust your goals if you need to. Sometimes, it’s good to let go of goals that may no longer apply for the year, and you’ll feel better focusing on the goals you can achieve.

Ultimately, these habits help you become more mindful of the things that make you happy and better manage the things that don’t. With time, you’ll be able to appreciate the good in life, find greater happiness, and improve your mental wellbeing!