Happiness is the highest priority when it comes to what we wish to achieve. Everything we do is in a bid to reach that ultimate goal, from careers to relationships. We wish to be secure, enriched, fulfilled, and all for the sake of finding that elusive contentment that comes with being truly happy. There is no one alive who doesn’t want that.

So, how come it can be so difficult to find?

The truth is, many of us don’t know what happiness is, much less how to find it. Perhaps because it is such an abstract concept, and that is where it gets tricky. Because happiness is not one single emotion or end. It is the pursuit of something bigger in our lives, and the ability to recognize what it means to us as individuals.

Take a moment and ask yourself the question: are you happy? If the answer is no, then the more important question is: why not?

What Is Happiness?

Your first step will be accepting the fact that there is no straight answer to this question. Many people think there is and that it is one reason why they have so much trouble reaching it. They are searching for the feeling of joy that is an occasional occurrence to be within them at all times. Which is not how life works, and if that is what you are looking for then you will be living with a ton of disappointment.

Everyone goes through low points. But even when you are at the very bottom, it is possible to find happiness. Because it is more about contentment, acceptance and the knowledge that things will get better.

In the meantime, when you realize that you have the power to make your life a happy one, you will already be a much happier person.

Why Gratitude is Important?

Gratitude plays a large part in making us happier people. Everyone gets very tied up in reaching goals, which in itself is perfectly healthy. We should all have things we aspire to and work toward, whatever it is that is important to you. It is how we improve our lives and find life worth living.

The problem is that if you focus entirely on the goal, you might find that when you reach it you are not as happy as you thought you would be. You might even feel very empty, despite what you have in your life.

That is because for many, it is the pursuit of happiness and the journey to get there that is truly fulfilling. Seeing you reach every new milestone and how far you are moving ahead is much more satisfying that looking back and seeing what you have gained. It makes you more thankful for what you have.

Finding lasting happiness could be as simple as being grateful for what you have accomplished and what is in your life, while seeking out new goals all the time. They might be small, they might be big, and they might even have to do with changing yourself and your perspective.

Tips For Finding Happiness

1. Remind yourself of what in your life is good. This is a project that many people undertake. You take some time every day, once before you get up and once before you fall asleep, to list the things in your life you are grateful for. You would be amazed at how quickly this increases your level of happiness. Be happy every day.

2. Accept that sometimes bad things happen. Even the happiest people have hard times. This shouldn’t detract from your overall sense of well being with your life. Remember that we all face struggles, and we all fall under the spell of existential crisis. Knowing this can be uplifting, and we understand that pain is a necessary part of living.

3. Help others to help yourself. Once upon a time, charity work was a regular part of life. Now, it is less so. Doing little things to help people in need or a cause you believe in can go a long way to making you feel whole. Set up a monthly donation, or volunteer your time occasionally. It goes a long way to improving the world, and that is something to feel good about.

4. Set little goals, and a few big ones. Regular achievements work well to push you out of a rut. As was mentioned earlier in this article, you can use laundry lists of goals to break into the monotony of your life. Whether it is learning a new language, traveling or just improving the relationships around you, you should always be striving for something.

5. Try meditation. Believe it or not, meditation has been proven to improve your mood, your sleep patterns and different chemicals in the body. While there will always be debate on the spiritual application of these methods, there is no denying it has benefits. This is because the mind is a curious and powerful thing, able to directly influence the body. Once a day, find a comfortable position and begin practicing clearing your mind. Don’t stress out if a thought invades, but instead let it gently pass and try to clear your mind again. Focus on breathing from your belly, letting it expand without your chest rising. Over time, this will get easier. Meditation promotes calmness and has even been found to increase natural melatonin production.

6. Know the difference between unhappiness and depression. Sometimes, it is more serious than just being unhappy. You could be facing an actual medical condition. If you find yourself sad all the time with little to no break, or struggling to do things in your life to make you happier, see your doctor. If you have any thoughts of harming yourself or others, seek emergency help immediately.

***** Happiness is an elusive concept. But you can find it if you are in the right state of mind.

– Anna Fox is the health and fitness blogger.