You must’ve heard the slogan “40 is the new 20” – that’s BS. The truth is that being closer to 40 gives you perspectives like no 20-year-old can ever have! For starters, you realize that you’ve abused your body enough, and it’s now telling you “this is off-limits” instead of “go the limits”! For everything including late nights, another drink, a game of cards, another episode of your favorite show, another slice of pie, or even an extra round of intimacy – you start accepting your boundaries. Routine becomes your best ally. You like to go to bed at 10 pm sharp. It’s comforting to know that no one’s going to call you to ask you out for drinks at odd hours. Also, you now have a family as an anchor to bail you out from outstretched social obligations. This is the age when your spouse’s snoring transforms into a mere white noise, without which falling asleep is next to impossible at times. I kid you not – it’s true! I know you are either nodding in agreement or judging this post as a “cry for attention from a tricenarian” based on the age group you belong to.
Another key perspective that comes to mind is “happiness”! You know you’ll lose it the minute you pit yours against anyone else’s. You own up to your story. You accept your childhood, your struggles, your fortunes, and your misfortunes. You know that people – in their 20s – are more focused on where you are now rather than your journey to reach the point. You want to educate them – about lessons you learned by committing the mistakes you made – hoping they’d gain something from it. That late nights, crazy travels, unending work, important titles, partying, and collecting possessions doesn’t guarantee happiness. That you’ve seen a lot of unhappy rich people, lonely eyes surrounded in crowds, lips uttering the saddest words after sipping exorbitant scotch, affluential personas seeking banality. That the chase is not worth the price. That real happiness can be found in cozying up with your love and progeny in a home that you’ve built together – not necessarily in a mansion that separates you all.
The insatiable thirst for the pursuit of wealth, ephemeral possessions, and laurels doesn’t necessarily translate to more happiness. Let me ask you this –
If you are not happy with what you already have, what makes you think you’d be happy when you have more?
Did you know that Material Wealth and Happiness are linked up to an optimum level, after which it stops giving you substantive pleasure? It’s the ‘law of diminishing returns’ on hyperdrive! If anything you could actually be sitting on a pile of cash ‘unhappy’ about it not being put to the best use to generate more returns!
The obvious question is: how can one attain lasting happiness?
True happiness is in enjoying the gifts that you already have, not in the desires you seek!
More of it comes with bounteousness. Ever wondered why most billionaires give away millions in donations?! (No, not just for saving taxes!)
Happiness is a chemical reaction in your brain that can be triggered in many satisfying ways. So, is there a formula that you can apply to be happy? There is, or at least I believe that it exists. Here are my top 5 habit-selections that can guarantee happiness. Give it a go!
- Gratitude Journalling
You see what you are looking for. It’s impossible to process everything that’s happening around you – good or bad – since the brain applies certain filters or inherent mental models to process the information being thrown at you. The good news is that it’s in your power to change or maintain these filters to work for you. A great way to attune yourself to see more and more positive in life is to be grateful for whatever you already have. A gratitude journal helps achieve this. Each day before you go to bed, make it a habit to record 5 or more things that you are thankful for. As you start counting your blessings, you will feel more at peace and happy.
2. Meditation
Happiness and peace can be crafted by regularly training the mind and working on your inner spaces. Meditation is a well-researched mind-body practice that has positive outcomes on one’s mental and physical wellness. All you need is a quiet corner, a comfortable posture, and the resolve to practice it every day. Search the web on best practices and how to meditate. As you get comfortable increase the duration of practice.
3. Eating Clean and Healthy
Your gut health is closely related to your emotional state. Eating clean and more naturally occurring foods ensure that our body receives wholesome nutrition, and therefore continues to function disease-free. It’s a no-brainer that you are going to be happier if you are healthier. The book ‘How Not To Die’ is a great resource that can reshape your perspectives and relationships with food. What more? There’s a cookbook too! If you buy through the links mentioned here, yours truly gets incentivised for bringing it to your notice.
4. Regular Physical Activity
By now you are thinking why am I reinventing the wheel over here. Just cause the deepest answers reside in the most obvious of places. Places we know exist but chose to ignore. So, I am reinforcing the importance of movement and exercise for lasting happiness. As less as 30-mins of regular physical activity is linked to better health and moods. The bonus is the release of endorphins also called the “happiness hormones”, which act on the opiate receptors in our brains, minimize discomfort, and result in the feeling of pleasure and well-being.
5. Social Service
The act of giving or doing good for someone is the quickest way to feel better even when you are having the worst day. Make this a habit, and you’ve generated a repository of happiness that’ll last. Based on how much your means allow, try to support charities or volunteer at care homes, etc. You’ll find yourself smiling for no reason for days after. Give give give, even if it’s a smile to a stranger (not a creepy one though, just kidding!).
I was so tempted to make this a list of 10 but then decided to go with 5 cause that’s easier to start with. Practice these in your daily life for 21 days, and then let me know what effects have you noticed in yourself and your general state of being. I look forward to hearing your comments and feedback, so please feel free to drop me a line!
Till then,
Eat Healthy, Keep Moving, and Smile Often.
0 Comments
Trackbacks/Pingbacks