Happiness is something that everyone strives to achieve. Nothing in life is worth a cent when the person possessing them is not happy. If money does not buy happiness, then happiness should come easily without spending too much money. Here are some interesting and exciting ways to make your family happier by doing less.
1. Spend Time With Family and Friends
Time is a precious commodity that many of us squander. Spending time with your loved ones at the dinner table once a week has been proven to have a positive impact on someone who is going through the process of addiction recovery. Studies show that children who eat with their families are more likely to have higher academic achievements and fewer behavioral issues. Spending time with your loved ones and helping them in the time of need is directly related to your happiness. In fact, one of the biggest regrets that people have on their deathbed is not spending enough time with their family.
2. Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Getting fresh air is a great way to boost your mood. Sunshine and good weather are great for making you happy, not to mention that the vitamin D is good for your health as well. Our environment effects how happy we are, so when the weather is nice, take advantage of it. Go outside, take a hike in the forest, or just sit on a bench and enjoy the sun’s warmth while your children play at a park. Before you realize it you and your family will be smiling. Some of the happiest, most memorable times in life spring from a spur of the moment camping adventure with your loved ones.
3. Exercise Together
Another great way to increase the happiness of your entire family is to exercise. Exercising is a great way to increase your happiness; in fact, it is a method often utilized to help fight depression. Exercising on a regular basis can also help you improve your body image, which of course will make you happier. Even if there are no physical changes, the image you have of yourself will improve, and thus, so will your happiness. Going on a 20 minute walk as a family allows you to get in this exercise as well as spend some time together. You will find yourselves talking and sincerely enjoying the time exercising before you realize it. Another great family exercise is biking. It works your whole body, and it is a great way to get the added benefit of sending time together in the great outdoors.
4. Take Time to Help Others
Buying something for yourself or spending your spare change to buy a homeless person, who is truly hungry, something to fill their stomachs for dinner. Material things are nice, but they never give you a happy feeling like you get when you help someone who is in need. Helping a friend out who is struggling will make you feel happy that you were in a situation to make their lives better. Whether it is a friend or a stranger, there are always people who may need help in this world. During your spare time, take your family to a nursing home to volunteer. Your entire family will experience a sense of true joy after spending time with the elderly who live there and listening to their stories.
5. Plan a Family Vacation
Vacations are typically happy times in our lives, but studies have begun to illustrate that the simple act of planning the vacation improves our outlook and our happiness. The sense of anticipation for the trip that is being planned is enough to drastically boost your happiness; in fact, it increases your overall happiness more than actually taking the trip. If your family cannot take a vacation at this point in your lives; talk about where you would like to go down the line. Plan all the details of the vacation and set a tentative time frame when you hope to actually take the vacation. Even if you cannot get away for a few years, building up the anticipation for the trip will make your entire family happier in the meantime.
6. Meditate
Meditation has proven to be one of the best ways to increase your happiness, so why not try some morning meditation as a family. Of course this will be a quiet time that you spend together, but it will help each member of your family to clear their minds and reduce the stress that has been building. Studies have shown that long-term meditation actually rewires your brain to raise your happiness levels permanently. Meditation will benefit your children greatly as well, especially since they will be more focused during the school day.
Happiness is the key to a long, successful life, so start making steps to increase your happiness. Less is more, so consider these methods of increasing your family’s happiness.