One of the vital goals that all human beings have is to be happy, but to think that we can be in this state 24 hours a day, 365 days a year is not realistic.

Now, there are people who act a certain way and do things to be happy most of the time … and it works for them. Their actions and their attitude towards life make them, despite having ups and downs, get up from every fall and overcome every obstacle, aware that this is better than rejoicing in life’s bad moments.

What do happy people do?

The habits of happy people mark much of their happiness. These behaviors and ways of thinking are not really very complicated, but they are not always easy to apply. Knowing them and being aware of them are the starting point to start being a little happier.

But what are these habits? In the following lines we will see what are the things that happy people do .

1. Treated with compassion

Many people, when they don’t get things right, are very hard on themselves . This makes their suffering increase and prolonged in time, because they are not able to accept that not everything will work out for them.

Happy people are treated with compassion, because being compassionate helps you enjoy better mental health, as many studies confirm. On the other hand, not judging oneself too harshly is key to daring to initiate ambitious and stimulating projects.

If you want to know more about compassion, you can read this article: “Compassion: a basic tool in our relationships”.

2. Choosing Healthy Friendships

Friends are the family we choose and they are people who can make us really happy. Scientific studies have shown that one of the basic pillars of happiness is friendship , so to be happy, we must surround ourselves with positive people who share our values.

3. Have objectives

The people who enjoy the most happiness give meaning to their lives with motivating goals and objectives . Knowing yourself and what you really want is key to developing and feeling fulfilled. However, as long as these goals are realistic, they can create a lot of frustration.

4. They do what they like

According to scientific studies, up to 80% of people do not do what they like, especially in relation to work. However, to be happy one must do what one really likes. This type of activity that we enjoy allows us to enter a state of flow in which time does not seem to pass and the task absorbs all the attention. Doing what we like turns our time into something worth living for .

5. They live in the present (although they also look to the future)

Happy people, as I said, are focused on the future and have realistic goals. However, they do not get lost in expectations , but live the present moment, enjoying every step they take. Living in the present promotes emotional well-being, and that is why some healthy tools such as Mindfulness are so successful today. To know what Mindfulness is, you can read this article: “Mindfulness: 8 benefits of full attention”.

6. They change when they should and accept when they cannot change

People are constantly changing and, in fact, it is natural and healthy. But there are times when we cannot change the environment around us, and instead of feeling frustrated, these people accept it and move on with their lives. This mature attitude helps them not to suffer unnecessarily.

7. They practice sport

Physical exercise is one of the best sources of happiness, because in addition to helping us improve our physical health, it also allows us to improve our mental health.

Scientific studies show that regular physical activity increases the levels of serotonin and endorphins, two neurotransmitters related to happiness and pleasure. That is why among the things that happy people do in their daily lives, exercise cannot be missed.

  • To learn more: “The 10 Psychological Benefits of Physical Exercise”

8. They are proactive

Proactive people tend to be happier as they are constantly on the move, pursuing their dreams and doing activities they enjoy. Having good ideas is positive, but if these ideas do not materialize, there is no point in having them. Being proactive is an attitude in which the person goes out and looks for opportunities instead of waiting for them to arrive on their own . The individual takes control of his life.

9. They know how to forgive

Forgiveness is one of the best actions we can do not only for other people, but also for ourselves. Knowing how to forgive honors us and helps us to close wounds . Those who know how to forgive are happier, because forgiveness has a great healing power when it comes to letting go of frustrations.

10. They don’t blame anyone for their problems

In order to be happy, it is necessary to solve the problems that occur in our lives, instead of looking the other way. Avoiding facing reality does not allow us to leave the comfort zone , a state of mind that may seem very pleasant but in the long run brings suffering and emotional stagnation. In order to change what we do not like about ourselves, it is first necessary to be aware of the real causes, so that we can solve it.

11. They eat well

If playing sports also affects our mental health and our mood, eating healthy has a positive impact on our overall well-being, including psychological well-being . The relationship between mind and food is a reality, as you can see in this article: “Psychology of food: definition and applications”.

12. They have a great sense of humor

People who are happier usually have a great sense of humor. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they are practically professional comedians, but that they have a great capacity to enjoy all kinds of situations. After all, studies suggest that humor releases serotonin, the hormone of happiness. Taking life with humor helps you be happier.