Happiness is a Proactive Choice

The key to being happy is a proactive choice. Be proactive, take responsibility for your life, and work from the inside out. You'll be more resourceful, more diligent, and happier if you're proactive about it. Taking proactive actions can be easier than you think, and the benefits can be substantial. Try these simple tips to increase your happiness:


Be proactive
Those who are proactive recognize that their lives are their own and that they have the power to choose how to live them. They don't blame circumstances, but instead take responsibility for their own actions. They know that their actions and attitudes are their own, while those who are reactive blame external sources for their behavior. The weather, for instance, can affect their performance and attitude. By recognizing that they are responsible for their own actions, proactive individuals take action to improve their lives.

Take responsibility for your life
A proactive person takes responsibility for their life and makes the right decisions for their personal happiness. They do not blame others or react out of emotion. They choose to react according to their values and principles. They are aware that they cannot control everything, but take the responsibility of their own actions to make their lives better. When we take responsibility, we reduce stress and increase happiness. If we choose to be proactive, we are able to achieve many of our dreams.

Make a conscious choice to be happy
One of the best ways to improve your happiness is to learn to control your thoughts and emotions. Worrying can be a bad habit. Trying to please others can hurt your self-esteem. Instead, learn to control your emotions and improve your life. You will be happier for it. You'll feel more at peace and will have less stress. Make a conscious choice to be happy every day. Just think of all the positive things that you can do for yourself every day.

Meditation improves happiness
A study conducted at the University of California, Davis concluded that meditation lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. Meditation alters the way the brain functions, increasing the activity of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for feeling happy and calm. Likewise, meditation is a useful tool for people seeking to break bad habits and adopt positive ones. However, it is important to understand the benefits of meditation before trying it for yourself.


Taking a break from the news
The news can consume our attention, so stepping back from it and focusing on the things in your immediate life is a good proactive choice for happiness. In some studies, people increased their news consumption by 215% after major events. However, a single major event has very little impact on our lives; when news continues to consume our attention, it can lead to other problems. It is therefore better to take a break from the news for a specific period of time, allowing our attention to wander elsewhere.