Increase Happiness with this Formula!
It can be hard to stay on the sunny side of life when your surroundings are cold and gray, especially during the winter months. Seasonal depression is a common malady in many parts of the world when sunlight is scarce for days or weeks on end.
Experts agree that people who experience varied degrees of seasonal depression can benefit from purposefully doing positive things. We can all agree that adding a little more happiness is a good thing any time of the year!
Anil Gupta, author of Immediate Happiness, has come up with a formula for happiness: H=G3. The “H” obviously stands for “happiness.” But what about “G3?” G3 is simple: Giving x Gratitude x Growth. He believes our happiness is totally dependent on how much we give, how grateful we are and how much we are growing. Here’s our take on his main principles:
Part 1: Giving
Giving to someone always boosts our mood. It’s great to give money when its needed, but you can also give in other ways—time, compassion, love, joy, just to name a few. The trick is to give without expecting anything in return—and to do so authentically.
You don’t always have to give big—small, random acts of kindness work, too! Hold the door for someone, buy a latte for the next person in line, thank someone for being kind, give a compliment—even a passing smile can do the trick!
Another way to give is to reach out to someone who has influenced your life positively. In many cases, they’ll have no idea that their actions meant so much to you.
Part 2: Gratitude
In this age of social media and immediate gratification, it’s easier than ever to feel pangs of envy when you see friends paint a rosy picture of their lives. It can be easy to overlook the positives in your own life and focus only on the negative—Why can’t I go on a vacation like that? Why can’t my spouse/friends/kids show me love me in that way? Why can’t I buy a house in that neighborhood?
Recognizing the good things in your life and actively expressing gratitude for them, no matter how small, is a great way to lift your spirits. You’ll find that, the more you voice (or write down) the things you’re grateful for, the less you’ll care about what other people are doing.
Again, these can be small things. Be thankful for the new things you are learning each day. Show gratitude for how your senses help you experience the world. Be thankful for shelter over your head. It doesn’t matter whether you own it or rent it—it’s protecting you and keeping you warm.
Try writing down one thing you’re grateful for in a gratitude journal each day. You’ll be surprised at how this small act can change your outlook on life.
Part 3: Growth
When we talk about growth, we mean in all aspects: emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally.
Growth occurs when you experience holistic awareness—and that awareness comes when you are completely honest with yourself and can live in service to the things you most value.
There are many ways to clear your mind to help with this. Daily exercise, adequate sleep and healthy eating are a great place to start. Another is to keep track of how you feel throughout the day. Write down your emotional state and look for patterns. Notice if you feel anxious when you leave work and consider the root cause of this feeling.
In order to grow and live according to your purpose, it’s very important to stay present and release the past. Keep your body hydrated, rest your mind through daily meditation and do things you enjoy. Exuding more energy, playfulness, smiling or laughing can do wonders, too!
Where to start
Now that you’ve got some initial ideas, what’s the best way to implement these tips?
Gupta recommends identifying the one “G” that is most lacking in your life and putting together a plan to pump up your focus in that area. Once you feel good about that, move on to the next “G,” and then the last.
Eventually, you’ll have a pretty good idea about how your body and mind work, and how and when to replenish.
Here’s to more happiness and purpose in 2019!
Related Articles
