Healthy daily habits that contribute to a feeling of contentment

Feelings of contentment and happiness may sometimes seem out of reach for modern people as they strive to have everything done and keep everything under control on a daily basis. The pressure easily builds up and even if you lead a pretty happy life and have a great family, you might feel like you could be happier.

A small shift in perception and a change in lifestyle can bring more joy and optimism into your life. There’s no need for drastic measures, just a few tips to set you off in the right direction.

Practice gratitude

By making the practice of gratitude a part of your daily life, you’ll be able to focus on positives rather than negatives. Create a daily gratitude list and focus intentionally on things you can be grateful for, and this new-found optimism and appreciation will increase your feeling of happiness.

Be present and mindful

By allowing ourselves to be fully in the present moment opens the floodgates to happiness. It stops us from dwelling in the past and being fearful and anxious about our future. Try and immerse yourself in the moment and enjoy what’s at hand: the jokes at the dinner table, conversations with our kids, or sharing intimacy with your partner.

The present moment gives peace and joy in what is here and now, and by being mindful and fully focused on what we’re doing we can slow down, reduce tension and enjoy the little things in life.

Take care of yourself

A lot of women have a tendency to put themselves last and take care of everyone else’s needs but their own. It’s a rare occasion that they get to focus on their desires, but this is exactly what promotes personal well-being: long showers or bubble baths in the evening, meditation, spa treatments or simple walks in nature.

Moreover, let go of the need to be perfect and compare yourself with others. There’s nothing wrong with doing things at your own speed and even relying on others for help. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with work and taking care of your family, let grandparents help. Ask a friend or neighbour to watch the kids as you go for a walk. Why not hire a catering service once in a while to deliver an amazing lunch or dinner? Surely a little change will do everyone good and it’ll give you a chance to get a break.

Learn to accept

A great deal of individual unhappiness stems from things people are unwilling to accept. The key to liberation lies in releasing the need to resist and control your current reality. By accepting it, you become much more resilient. You learn what you can and cannot change, and you also recognize the difference between those two. As a result, you can then take appropriate steps to change the circumstances that you can control.

Do regular exercise

Any kind of regular exercise is a great habit to form, and a great motivator. Physical exercise has been proven to elevate mood due to endorphin release, and the fitter and healthier we feel, the happier we’ll be. It doesn’t have to be a rigorous gym training, but something that requires your daily engagement such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, going for morning or evening walks and even doing squats, sit-ups or push-ups during commercial breaks while you watch your favorite TV programme.

Little by little, these things will accumulate and have a positive effect both on your body and soul, making you feel happier and more content.