In the selfhelp section of bookstores you can find all kind of books teaching you the secrets to a happy and fulfilled life. And they are no longer the touchy-feely books like they used to be. A lot of books from the past years have been written by scientist who have scientifically researched the concepts of success, happiness and spirituality.

Conventional wisdom has long held that each of us is simply born with a happiness “set point” (meaning that some people are constitutionally more likely to be happy than others). That’s partially true – but according to positive psychologists Sonja Lyubomirsky and Ken Sheldon, research now suggests that up to 40 percent of our happiness might stem from intentional activities in which we choose to engage.

Which intentional activities that we engage in influence our level of happiness?

Scientist from all over the world have come to the same conclusion. Positive thoughts and emotions have a great impact on your level of happiness. Meditation is another great way of becoming happier, but the number one way to happiness seemed to be Gratitude. People who life are greatful in their everyday lives tend to be the happiest AND healthiest people!

How can you apply this to your life?

Below I have listed three exercises. If you do all three of them everyday for six weeks, I guarantee you will experience more happiness and satisfaction.

1) Keep a Gratitude Journal

Every night before you go to bed, write down the things you are greatful for. Write down at least 5 to 10 things. This won’t be easy in the beginning, but as you practice all three exercises, you’ll find that this will become much easier. It won’t be long before you will be able to write dozens of things in your journal. How you do this isn’t important. You can make a story of it, or you can just make a list. Whatever works for you …

2) Be grateful for everything

Teach yourself to be grateful for everything in your life. A beautiful flower, clear blue skies, someone who smiles at you, a good meal, … And every time you experience something good or beautiful, you say ‘Thank you’. If you can’t say it out loud, think it.
Tip: Do you remember a time when you really felt grateful? Maybe someone help you out or did you a favour? Recall this situation and feel the feeling of gratitude you felt then. While you feel this feeling, say ‘Thank You’ out loud. If you do this regularly, that feeling of gratitude will be attached to these words. And whenever you say them, you will feel that gratitude again!

3) Be grateful for things that haven’t happened yet

In the morning, before you get out of bed, I want you to be grateful for the incredible day you are about to have, for the fun your going to have with your friends or kids, for that incredibly romantic dinner with your husband,… Be grateful for the things you have planned that day, but describe them with words like amazing, incredible, fantastic, unbelievable,…

These three exercises can have an enormous impact on your life. I challenge you to do them on a daily basis for the next six weeks!

Let me know how it goes!