Jelena Dincic
If you’re skeptical about people who’re always smiling, I get it.
I mean, what could they possibly be smiling about all the time? Surely they’re just faking it for the sake of appearances, right?
Wrong.
There are people who are genuinely happy and feel the need to smile as a way of expressing their joy.
So what’s their deal?
Read on to find out about their habits so you can apply them to your own life to become a happier you.
1) They practice gratitude
I’m a firm believer that the world would be a much better place if everyone practiced gratitude.
Just think about it:
- For starters, there’d be less greed. Instead of people thinking about what they want, they’ll be able to appreciate what they already have.
- There’d be less misery. When bad things happen, it’s easy to lose sight of the good things. That’s why practicing gratitude helps people overcome hard times and gives them hope.
That’s why one of the habits of happy people is taking the time each day to reflect on the things they are grateful for.
This can be as simple as appreciating a good meal or being thankful for supportive friends and family.
2) They have good relationships
Good friends and loving family members, isn’t that what’s it all about?
They’re what makes life so great and make life worth living.
Happy people who smile every day do so because they know the importance of cultivating positive relationships.
They surround themselves with people who love them and care about them. And when times are tough, having that support is what gives them the strength to keep going, and yes, to smile.
3) They make sure to stay active
Did you know that exercise has been known to ease depression and anxiety?
It’s true.
When you exercise, your brain releases feel-good hormones (endorphins) that enhance your sense of well-being.
Well then, you shouldn’t be surprised to find out that people who never go a day without smiling exercise regularly.
Even on days that they don’t hit the gym or go for a jog, they make sure to incorporate physical activity – such as going on a lengthy walk with their dog or biking to work – into their day.
4) They practice mindfulness meditation
Years ago when I was going through a rough patch and having trouble with depression and anxiety, I discovered mindfulness meditation.
Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment.
So with mindfulness meditation, for example, you focus on an anchor such as your breath.
Whenever your mind starts to wander and think about stuff that happened that makes you sad or things you’re dreading that make you anxious, you just go back to the breath.
And the result?
Reduced stress. A sense of peace and even contentment.
So if you’re wondering why a certain someone always has a smile on their face, the answer could lie in their mindfulness practices.
5) They have life goals
Going through life aimlessly may seem like a carefree kind of life.
But here’s the thing: Actually having goals to work toward is what gives people a sense of purpose.
And when they succeed, it gives them a sense of accomplishment which usually contributes to happiness.
All in all, happy people are happy because they feel they have a purpose in life, something worth living for.
6) They practice acts of kindness
It turns out that doing something nice for someone else can actually boost your own happiness.
You don’t believe me?
Why not give it a try and see?
I certainly feel good whenever I help the old lady next door with something – like fixing the channels on her TV or figuring out her cellphone.
I also feel a sense of contentment whenever I rescue an animal and help them find a home – most recently this was a puppy I saved from the street and he was with me for over two months until I found him a home.
And don’t get me started on buying birthday and Christmas presents for the people I love – getting them something I know they’ll love makes me happier than receiving gifts.
7) They make time for themselves
Look, I know that it sometimes seems impossible in this fast-paced world to make time for yourself.
But you have to ask yourself, “What is the point of working like crazy and rushing around to finish errands if I never get to enjoy myself?”
Happy people know just how important it is to set aside time for stuff that makes you feel good.
I’m talking about pursuing your hobbies, listening to music, going to the spa, and spending time with people you care about.
Whatever it is, if you want to smile every day and mean it, you need to engage in activities you’re passionate about.
8) They practice self-compassion
Here’s another thing happy people do – they treat themselves with the same kindness and compassion that they do other people.
The thing is that a lot of the time we can be pretty hard on ourselves – even more so than other people.
But that’s just not fair and in the long run, can affect our overall well-being.
People who never go a day without smiling recognize that no one is perfect and embrace self-compassion in times of self-doubt and when they mess up and make mistakes.
9) Limiting negative thinking
In my experience, negative thoughts can be all-consuming.
Remember how I told you that I went through a period of depression and anxiety? Well, back then I let negative thoughts take over.
You see, the thing about negative thoughts is that they’re like velcro and they stick pretty hard, that’s why once we let them take over, it’s really hard to get rid of them.
That’s something happy people seem to have figured out because they consciously work to minimize negative thoughts and focus on positive aspects of life.
On top of practicing gratitude and mindfulness to help them limit negative thinking, they also use positive affirmations to reframe their mindset.
10) They know how to enjoy the little things
Life is not always about the fireworks.
I believe that’s one of the biggest secrets of happy people. They know how to enjoy the little things – like that first sip of coffee in the morning or your dog greeting you at the door when you come home.
Being able to stop and savor the good moments of everyday life is just as important as the big stuff – the fireworks.
11) They have a sense of humor
Honestly, I don’t know how people who don’t have a sense of humor go through life.
In my experience, a good sense of humor can help us cope with life’s various challenges.
Happy people who smile every day are the kind of people who fall and laugh at themselves.
They’re the kind of people that make jokes at a funeral.
After all, tears and laughter are both part of life.
12) They’re not materialistic
Despite what many people believe, money CANNOT buy happiness.
Of course, we can’t live on air alone and we need money to buy essentials, but do we really need more than that?
Sure, “things” – material possessions can provide temporary satisfaction, but being surrounded by nice things isn’t what’s going to make you happy.
Happy people are happy because they prioritize relationships and experiences over accumulating things and I think it’s a very liberating way to live.
13) They take breaks from technology
I need to unplug more often, that’s for sure.
Luckily, unlike many people I know, I can enjoy meeting up for coffee with a friend without looking at my phone. But I still look at my phone when I wake up and before I go to bed.
Don’t get me wrong, technology has many benefits.
However, it can also be harmful if we forget to take a break from it once in a while to spend quality time in the real world: to hang out with loved ones, connect with nature, and use our imagination by reading books.
14) They’re in touch with their emotions
There’s a lot to be said for being in touch with your emotions – good and bad.
Happy people don’t suppress their emotions, they recognize them and let themselves feel whatever comes up.
This allows them to process their emotions.
Do you know what happens when you run away from your feelings and bottle them up?
Eventually, they come out when you least expect them to!
15) They practice forgiveness
Do you know who your anger and resentment hurt the most?
You.
Holding onto these emotions can be emotionally draining. Plus, it may prevent you from moving on and feeling happy.
That’s why to become truly happy, you need to let go of grudges and learn to forgive others, as well as yourself.
16) They’re natural optimists
Happy people who keep smiling do so because they’re optimists.
No matter how bad things seem, they believe that everything will work out in the end and that a new day is a chance for a new beginning.
Optimism can make all the difference to how someone feels and how they deal with challenges.
17) They keep it real
Finally, I have to mention just how big of a deal it is to be able to be your authentic self.
People who have to constantly pretend to be someone else in order to be liked by others or to fit in are generally not very happy.
It’s hard having to hide your true self from the world.
So if you want to be happy and have a reason to smile every day, remember to stay true to yourself and your values instead of always trying to please others.
