The ultimate pursuit of human life is eternal happiness. Everyone is trying their best to get a slice of it and longing for more of it. But happiness can be delusional.

What makes people happy is often different, however there are some common habits of happy people. Here they are:

1. Simple choices

In a world of choices, every single decision you take can cause stress. Happy people make simple choices by eliminating the unnecessary things.

Barack Obama says, “You need to focus your decision-making energy. You need to routinize yourself.” He like many other successful people wears the same dress everyday. Yes, it saves time, energy and brain power that can be used for more productive things.

Happy people build simple habits and routines that help them focus their energy on important things.

2. Comparisons are harmful

No one has everything he wants. There will always be people who are smarter, richer and better than you are. But you are unique and there is no one exactly like you.

Research has shown that young adults are depressed due to social media. The report states, “Seeing friends constantly on holiday or enjoying nights out can make young people feel like they are missing out while others enjoy life.”

It is easy to lose perspective and get carried away in comparisons, especially on social media.

However, comparisons make people resentful and miserable. Happy people stay away from comparisons. They are happy doing what they do and focus on their life not others.

“Happiness is a state of mind and not a state of possession. Be as you are and you will be happy, if you try to be someone else you will be miserable.”

Apoorve Dubey

3. Connect with Friends and Family

Friends and family matter more than you think. The relationships you build can be a great source of happiness in our lives according to a Harvard study.

When you are socially connected with friends and family, it helps you relax, stay healthy and happy too. Living in isolation for long periods can be counter productive for your happiness.

Drop the ego, embrace friends & family. Share good news with them and reciprocate positivity when they are with you.

When you are genuinely interested in the well being of others, they will think about your well being too.

4. Gratitude list

Happy people keep a list of things they are thankful for. By focusing on things that are good in your life, you attract more of it. Several studies have shown that by keeping a gratitude list, our brains are triggered with positivity and happiness.

Our brains are naturally focused on things that are wrong in our lives. But by creating a gratitude list, it helps us overcome the negative bias and create happiness.

Writing down 3 things that you are grateful for every day can do a world of good for your health and happiness.

5. Stop complaining & Find Solutions

Do you complain often? Where does it lead you? Yes, it leads you nowhere. Complaining can be counterproductive for your health, brain and creativity as well. Instead of thinking about the problem, thing about how you can find solutions to them.

When your mind is focused on finding solutions, it makes you more creative and happy.

There will always be problems, how you deal with them makes you successful and happy too. The more problems you solve, the more valuable you become.

6. Love what you do

According to a study of American workplace, 80% of workers are stressed. In adults, work is one of the major reasons for stress today.

The professional life is extremely demanding and full of pressure. How do you deal with it? Well, the top people learn to enjoy their work. They love what they do.

Most adults spend majority of their waking lives in office. Work fills up a large part of your day and even nights. The only way you can be truly happy is to love what you do.

Happy people enjoy what they do. They find great fulfillment and joy with their work. They take pride in their work, constantly improve and give their best.

“Once you start working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.”

Chanakya

7. Your Attitude

Your perspective makes a difference and it makes who you are. Everyone goes through difficulty, but how you deal with tough situations defines your personality.

When you view things with the right attitude, you can use difficult situations to introspect, gain deeper insights and grow from them.

People with the right attitude are always enthusiastic and energetic. They attract the right opportunities in their lives by their approach.

There is a good old story where the king got the boulder placed in the middle of the road. When people saw the boulder most of them criticized the king, the administration and poor state of affairs. But none bothered to move boulder.

Finally, there was a vegetable merchant who decided that the boulder should be removed so that the way can be cleared. After relentless efforts from morning till evening, he was able to move the boulder. He felt happy that he could clear the way for fellow travelers.

Just when he was about to leave, he saw a purse lying on the ground. There were gold coins in the purse & a note from the king. The note read, “Congratulations for removing the boulder. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition”

8. Positive thinking affects Performance

Positivity does not change reality, but the view of it. Positive thinking is certainly better than negative thinking. Negativity can drain your energy in useless pursuits.

But with a positive frame of mind and spirit, you can accomplish great things.

Positive thinking makes you healthier, happier and more successful.

Optimistic people always see the good even in the worst of situations. Top athletes, sports persons and professionals thrive on optimism. They understand that the grind, hard work and efforts they put in are all directly correlated to their performance and outcomes.

9. Go out in the Nature

We all need a break. Happy people have routines which allow them to take mental breaks. It helps them rejuvenate their strength. Connecting with nature is a great way to energies yourself.

A walk in the park and connecting with nature first thing in the morning can be a great mood booster. It can fill you up with creativity too.

Research shows that being in the nature reduces stress, improves creativity and makes you happier.

10. Do random acts of kindness

When we only think about ourselves, we forget who we are. In this grand cosmos and creation, we are insignificant beings. Our existence on the planet doesn’t shape the world, does it? Stop getting obsessive about yourself and see things in the right perspective.

When you do random acts of kindness, it helps you evolve to a better dimension of yourself. When you make other people happy, it creates a positive vibe and happiness in your life too.

Do atleast one random act of kindness everyday. Do good wherever and whenever you can and it will bring happiness in your life too.

And last but not the least, please share this with your friends and family.