Some people find it hard to enjoy life more than others. But you might be glad to know that it isn’t too challenging to turn your frown upside down and carve out a little piece of happiness for yourself. From addressing your health issues to adjusting what you do, here are some tips.
Get to Grips with Your Health
You won’t be happy if your health is bad. Sure, you can paint on a smile and pretend everything’s OK, but that won’t work forever. Your general health is the key to being happy because it affects everything about you, such as your ability to get outside, how much you can work (and earn), and even your mood. Being in pain or having health issues such as being overweight is common, but you can always, always do something about it if you try.
Address Mental Health to Enjoy Life More
On a more serious note, mental health is no laughing matter. Severe mental health issues can have a negative impact on your life and your ability to enjoy it. The good news, though, is that mental health issues are being more widely recognized than they once were, especially in the workplace. Slowly but surely, the stigmas of certain mental health problems are fading away as we work towards a more inclusive and tolerant social, medical, and professional environment.
Feel Good About the Positives in Life
One of the worst things you can do is dwell on the negative things that happen. This never works out well and gradually drags you down. The trick is to completely disregard the bad things and accentuate the good things. Maybe you are running low on cash this week, but you will get paid soon, and you have friends and family. Be grateful for that. Of course, you may not have friends and family, but there is always something to be grateful for in your life if you look.
Be Professional but Not Too Serious
Professionalism and seriousness are not mutually exclusive. Sure, be professional at work; in fact, it’s encouraged. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a joke, goof around a little and have fun every now and then. But never at someone else’s expense. Here’s how to have fun at work:
- Get everyone involved in health activities such as work yoga or a sports team.
- Suggest a game room or recreational area be placed in the office.
- Have an open vision board where fun meets professionalism.
- Be the guy who comes in with a safe-for-work joke every morning.
- Socialize with your colleagues as you may be close to a lifelong friend.
You don’t have to be the clown at work, but you also don’t have to be the one people avoid. Even as a boss, you can stay professional and be approachable and fun at the same time.
Sleep as Much as You Need
You have probably heard that you need eight hours a night of sleep. Well, this isn’t entirely accurate. Sleep experts these days agree that while this is a good general guideline, it is different for everyone. Some need eight, others ten, and there are people who can spring out of bed after just four hours of sleep. The trick is finding your optimal sleep habits and adjusting your life around them. And these changes could be drastic depending on how much you need.
Enjoy Life More by Adjusting Your Habits
Further to adjusting your life, make sure your life works for you. Most of us get up, do the nine-to-five, and come home. But what if you have genuine trouble functioning in the morning? You aren’t alone, and you may even be a night person. Making these kinds of changes can mean completely readjusting your entire lifestyle, even to the point of getting a new job. But you will never be happy if your life begins living you rather than you begin to live your life.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
Toxic people are everywhere, and you need to look out for them. Is there a specific someone who puts you down, makes you feel intimidated, or even casually suggests you are inadequate? Toxic relationships can be with a perceived best friend, a colleague, and even your partner. These relationships must be addressed and worked on. If you can’t find a resolution, then slowly move away from them and surround yourself with people who care about and appreciate you.
Summary
Addressing physical and mental health is a great first step to enjoying life more. It also helps to have some fun now and then, even at work, and work at removing toxic people from your life.