It’s not impossible. All it takes is a few simple changes to your mindset.
Try these easy solutions and reap the rewards!
1. Spread positive feelings
Sharing happy memories and experiences with others, or even simply anticipating doing so is one of the most powerful and effective ways to magnify joy, according to social psychologist Fred Bryant. “It helps sustain emotions that would otherwise fade,” he says.
2. Commend yourself
“A lot of people have trouble basking in an accomplishment because they feel that they shouldn’t toot their own horns or rest on their laurels,” says Bryant. It’s a fine line between self-admiration and shameless self-promotion, but don’t worry – you’ll know if you’re crossing it. So learn to congratulate yourself more often.
3. Fine-tune your senses
Close your eyes while you bite into a square of dark chocolate or while you smell your favourite aroma. Shutting out some sensory stimuli while concentrating on others can heighten your enjoyment of positive experiences – particularly those that are short-lived.
5. Build memories
Take mental photographs of happy moments that you can draw on later. But don’t spend time trying to analyse the how and why of them, says social psychologist Timothy D. Wilson. “If you analyse special times in a way that makes them seem ordinary or predictable, then you don’t necessarily get as much benefit,” he explains. So just focus on the happy buzz they bring.
6. Compare downward
Comparing upward to things or people we believe are better than us makes us feel deprived, but comparing downward can heighten enjoyment. Just keep it light: is today sunnier than promised? Are you more fit than last year? By focusing on the little things, you’ll have more to be happy about!
7. Go with the flow
Some joyful moments call for conscious reflection and dissection. At other times, we travel best when we simply immerse ourselves in the present moment. Set aside enough time on the weekend for your favourite hobby so you can reach
a level of absorption known as the ‘flow’ state, or being in the zone.
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