ARE YOU HAPPY?

As you bid farewell to 2021, here are some things you could do that will help you feel more content

- JESSICA MARTIN

IT MAY seem like a simple question, but the answer can be trickier to work out than a Sudoku puzzle.

That’s because happiness is an overall state of mind that isn’t altered by our environment. Research has shown whether you’re happy or not has less to do with your circumstances and more to do with genetics and, most importantly, the way we choose to think about ourselves and the world.

Here experts share their tips on how to be happier.

HAPPY MIND

“For the lucky ones, happiness comes easily,” says Dr Timothy Sharp from The Happiness Institute in Australia. “But for most of us, it’s something we need to work at. The good news is it’s not hard. By practising the principles of my CHOOSE philosophy, you can boost your happiness and wellbeing.”

• Clarity – of goals, direction and life purpose.
• Healthy living – exercise, nutrition and sleep. It’s hard to be happy if you don’t feel well. Do what you can to be healthy.
• Optimism – positive but realistic thinking. Happy people see themselves and the world differently. They search for positives, and this is something you can learn and practise.
• Others – your key relationships. Research shows happy people have better quality relationships. Devote time to fostering your key connections.
• Strengths – your attributes. Rather than spending time trying to fix their “weaknesses”, happy people identify and utilise their strengths.
• Enjoy – take pleasure in life. Live in and appreciate the present.

A DIFFERENT HAPPY MEAL

Try these nutrient-rich foods to boost your mood.