The nuts and bolts of happiness
You can learn to focus on the positive, says our resilience champion, Katie Piper, who reframes joyful feelings as a choice of simple habits
AT TIMES, IT MIGHT feel as though you’re the only one who struggles to be in high spirits – but happiness is something you have to work at continuously. According to psychologists, there are a number of little things you can do that have a big impact on your wellbeing.
Easy practices to change your mindset and grow optimism:
Smile. You tend to smile when you’re happy, but if you change your physiology by smiling, your mood will brighten too.
Exercise. Mind and body are linked and, when you exercise, you release feel-good hormones.
Get plenty of sleep. Having enough rest has a hugely positive effect on your mood.
Eat with happiness in mind. Which foods fill you with energy and enthusiasm?
Be grateful. Scientific studies indicate that a daily gratitude practice will improve your mood and your immune system.
Give a compliment. Focusing on making others happy will make you happy.
Breathe deeply. The experts agree that breathing deeply improves how you feel.
Acknowledge unhappy moments.
●‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig (Canongate, £8.99)
It’s never too late for hope