10 habits of people who stay happy (even in tough times)

When someone radiates happiness, the people around them tend to notice and feel positive too.

As much as we want to experience true joy, it can be difficult to keep a smile on our faces as we brave through all of life’s challenges.

But happiness isn’t about earning money, winning promotions, or getting all the luxuries in life – it’s about having a positive outlook and reacting confidently to the things that happen around us.

People who naturally radiate joy usually have a unique energy to them despite the chaos because of these traits:

1) They Sincerely Smile All the Time

This might sound obvious, but it’s true that happy people smile all the time – in a sincere and warm way that other people can’t help but smile too.

Joyful people are always happy and grateful to be given another day to explore their environment and do things they love.

For them, working on their passion projects and spending time with their friends are things worth smiling about.

Happy people start their mornings with a smile and beam at other people as they go through their day.

It’s a common stereotype that people in the city never smile, but happy people still smile wherever they are.

When happy people smile in a sincere way, they usually tend to make other people smile too – it’s their way of engaging with others and sharing their happiness.

They do it so that other people feel a sense of joy as well.

2) They Have Good Humor

Aside from having a beautiful and sincere smile, joyous people also have a good sense of humor.

They find hilarity in almost anything – they appreciate most kinds of jokes and they’re not afraid to laugh out loud when something is funny.

Laughing is great for a person’s emotional and physical health because it helps the brain release more endorphins.

It makes us relax and manage our stress better, which explains why happy people who always laugh also handle tough times better.

Even the simple act of smiling carries these effects. If you want to start being happier in your life, then it’s time to start smiling and laughing when you can.

It’s also important to surround yourself with other people who appreciate your humor so you can enjoy life better.

3) They Always Express Their Gratitude

Gratitude is an essential element of happiness that lots of people tend to forget. Happy people truly appreciate the things they have, so they’re satisfied with their life.

If you’re not thankful, then you tend to look for more no matter how much you already have.

Living in a state of gratitude puts you in high spirits and makes you focus on the good, which can help attract more of it as the law of attraction says.

Joyful people know that this formula is true because they find themselves happier each day they feel more grateful.

Personally, I celebrate my big achievements and milestones in life but I’m also thankful for the smaller, mundane things I have.

I’m grateful for the hot cup of coffee I have in the morning, the clothes that keep me warm, and the home that I rest in at the end of the day.

I’m endlessly and genuinely grateful for everything I have, so it’s easier for me to smile and feel happy about where I am.

4) They Have Immense Courage

Happy people are not just walking around with a perma-grin on their faces.

In fact, they possess a remarkable amount of courage, which enables them to face life’s challenges with poise and equanimity.

These individuals are incredibly bold and resilient, possessing the fortitude and perseverance to become a positive force in the world and to those around them.

It’s not uncommon for happy people to have experienced great adversity in their lives.

But instead of becoming bitter or jaded, they’ve transformed their struggles into a source of inspiration for others, helping them navigate their own difficulties with newfound strength and resolve.

They already know that the first step to making a difference in the world is addressing your own demons first and making peace with yourself.

A lot of us have already been in a situation or obstacle that intimidated us.

For happy people, the best way to deal with such life events is to give yourself a pep talk, carefully plan your next move, and reframe your fear.

5) They Try to Live in the Moment

Happy people have a remarkable ability to savor the present moment and find joy in even the most mundane situations.

Rather than becoming fixated on what they cannot change, they choose to focus on the positive aspects of their lives and remain fully engaged in the present.

This does not mean that happy people lack ambition or drive. On the contrary, they are often highly motivated and goal-oriented individuals who are constantly striving to improve their circumstances.

However, they recognize that dwelling on regrets or things beyond their control only serves to impede their progress.

Instead, they adopt a positive mindset and let go of negative thoughts and emotions, enabling them to make the most of each moment and live life to the fullest.

6) They Avoid Complaining So Much

Happy people don’t waste their time complaining because it only adds to the negative energy around them.

Instead of feeling down about the negative things in life, happy people always look at the silver lining of every situation – and they can see it clearly because of their genuine optimism.

Focusing on the negativities and constantly complaining about the wrong things in life only forces you to fixate on them.

This leads to missing out on all the wonderful and positive things in life.

I have a friend who never fails to brighten my day. Despite facing countless challenges and adversities, she always manages to find a silver lining in every situation.

While her boyfriend and our mutual friends may be mystified by her unwavering positivity, I understand where she’s coming from.

Her infectious attitude draws people in and makes her an absolute joy to be around.

After all, who wants to surround themselves with a perpetual downer when they could be spending time with someone who exudes humor and positivity?

It’s no wonder that she has a magnetic personality and attracts people to her like a magnet.

7) They Tend to be Accepting Most of the Time

Another reason why lots of people love hanging out with happy people is that they’re very accepting.

They don’t see the point in fixating on things they can’t change, so they tend to easily welcome the people around them and the situations they can’t control.

Happy people recognize what happened in the past and they’re at peace with their decisions.

They have a good perspective on life because they would rather spend their energy on things they can change.

Happy individuals have a remarkable ability to bounce back from rejection and disappointment.

Rather than dwelling on their misfortunes, they choose to channel their energy into more positive and productive endeavors.

They recognize that rejection is an inevitable part of life, and they use it as an opportunity to discover new and greater things.

The power of acceptance and positive thinking cannot be overstated.

Happy people have unwavering faith that everything will eventually work out for the best.

This helps them to manage their stress levels and maintain a positive outlook on their situation, no matter how challenging it may be.

8) They’re Empathetic and Compassionate

The happier a person is, the more empathy and compassion they have for others.

Since they feel good about their lives and themselves, they have more love to give to others.

They typically perform compassionate actions for others – from something as simple as making someone a cup of tea because they’re tired to something bigger like picking up groceries for a friend because they’re busy doing so.

Joyous people know that being kind doesn’t always have to cost anything.

They know that being kind and compassionate to others won’t drain their resources – it can even fulfill and feed their souls.

By being compassionate and empathetic, happy people also inspire others to be the best version of themselves.

They make other people feel appreciated and validated, allowing them to express their true selves and expand their identities without worrying that they might be humiliated in the process.

9) They Always See the Best in Others

It’s easy to blame someone and hate them for something, but this is something that happy people never do.

Instead of finding the fault in others, they look for qualities worth admiring about someone.

There might be exceptions like those who are simply selfish and horrible through and through, but happy people almost always manage to find something positive about another person.

Since happy people have the habit of looking at the bright side, they tend to extend it from situations to humans and everything in between.

For example, someone might point out that there are other artists who can paint better when looking at artwork.

But a happy person simply appreciates the creativity and talent that went into the piece of art.

They pick up on the good qualities of the person who made the art, so they will shower them with praise.

10) They Don’t Forget to Take Care of Themselves

Taking care of others is second nature to happy people, but it’s important for them to pamper themselves too.

For happy people, looking after themselves is a much better alternative to focusing on the negatives.

Instead of gossiping about others or staying out late every night to drink, happy people are kind to themselves and their bodies.

They always remember to take care of themselves throughout the day – from the moment they wake up in the morning to the minute they lay in bed at night.

When they start their day, they make sure to get themselves in the right headspace. 

They might do it by meditating, exercising, journaling, or even enjoying a freshly-brewed coffee – as long as it can empty their minds of negative thoughts.

As the day progresses, they’re also likely to do things that make them or others feel good – like taking short breaks or chatting with their loved ones.

They know that doing things that make them feel good contributes to being the best versions of themselves.

 

 

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Justin Brown

Justin Brown is an entrepreneur and thought leader in personal development and digital media, with a foundation in education from The London School of Economics and The Australian National University. As the co-founder of Ideapod, The Vessel, and a director at Brown Brothers Media, Justin has spearheaded platforms that significantly contribute to personal and collective growth. His deep insights are shared on his YouTube channel, JustinBrownVids, offering a rich blend of guidance on living a meaningful and purposeful life.

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