Do you find it difficult to feel good being alone?

Do you depend on social media to feel happy about yourself?

Do you want to find ways to be happy by yourself?

If you have ever doubted the possibility of the idea of being happy by yourself, then reading this article is worth your time.

Many people think that happiness is triggered only by external factors. They fail to understand the fact that happiness is an internal feeling. So, it is possible to find happiness within rather than depending on external factors. Happiness is a state of mind that you are in control of. So, whether you choose to be happy or not is your decision. This may not come easily as we humans are controlled by our emotions triggered by many factors. However, this is not an impossible thing to do once you learn the principles of happiness and practice simple tips.

In this article, we will show you the simple and easy ways to be happy by yourself. But before finding out how to be happy in life, we must find out what causes happiness in our brain. Also, to be truly happy, you need to know how to be happy about yourself.

What Causes Happiness in Our Brain?

Certain chemicals are responsible to make us feel happy. These stimulating hormones are Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, and Endorphins. Dopamine is known as the “feel-good” hormone and is the reason behind you feeling happy and content. Serotonin helps to elevate the mood and gives a feeling of well-being. Oxytocin plays an important role in our behaviors that include trust, positive memories, social interaction, etc. Endorphins are natural painkillers. They help you to deal with any mental or physical discomfort.

One interesting thing to note here is that all these chemicals can be unlocked by practicing very simple acts and thoughts. Thus, it is possible to feel happy by yourself and be happy about yourself.

7 Simple Principles of Happiness 

• Show gratitude.
• Live for the moment.
• Be positive.
• Learn to forgive.
• Cherish joyous moments
• Exercise regularly
• Create goals and work towards them.

5 Ways to be Happy by Yourself

Now that you know what causes your brain to feel happy, by activating them, you can be happy by yourself. Here are some tips to be happy with yourself:

1. Be Kind to Yourself and Others

Being kind is one of the best ways to be happy as it harnesses Serotonin and Dopamine. One way to practice this is to do one random act of kindness in a day or a week. You can buy something for a poor kid or allow your subordinate to take a longer break. It does not matter how big or small the act is, but you must feel the kindness in your heart for others. Another vital point is to be kind to yourself. Many a time being too hard on ourselves makes us push beyond our capability. Besides, we even tend to forget to stop and breathe in our life. Feel your worth inside and smile kindly at yourself looking into the mirror. The person before you has fought many battles and has endured many scars, it’s time to be kind to this person every moment of life. Being happy with yourself starts with being kind to yourself.

2. Meditate

Meditation is one of the best ways to be happy about yourself. This releases Endorphins in the brain. No matter how busy you are, you must take some time out in a day to meditate for at least 20 minutes. First, find a quiet place. Lie down on a bed or mat. You can even sit on a chair and practice this. The goal is to bring your focus on your breathing for the next 20 minutes. Close your eyes and feel all the senses. Take a deep breath and count up to four and breathe out on a count up to six. Watch your thoughts flickering in your mind as you sit like this. Do not try too hard to ignore them. Over time, you will be able to control these thoughts and calm your mind.

3. Listen to Music

Listening to music is one of the easiest ways to be happy by yourself. Music therapy works as the best therapy when it comes to depression or loneliness. Music makes it possible for the brain to release the “feel-good hormone” Dopamine and Oxytocin. Learn to make the music your all-time best friend. Listen to any number you like and feel it inside. Hold that feeling for some time without thinking of anything in the world. Dive deep into the music to relieve all the stress. This will help you to follow one of the principles of happiness and that is to live for the moment.

4. Spend Time in Nature

Nature has a close connection to our hearts. A certain amount of regular exposure to nature can help lift our mood and minimize stress levels. It also helps people suffering from depression or anxiety. Besides, being outdoors for some time harnesses Endorphins. So, take a stroll in the local park. You can even plan a day out in a nature park. Sit on a bench and feel the greenery around you. Spend quality time observing nature. Observe how it makes you feel within. Let all your negative emotions like fear, anger, anxiety, and sadness melted down. You will certainly feel rejuvenated and de-stressed.

5. Learn Something New

One of the most effective ways to be happy by yourself is to invest your time in learning something new. Dopamine is connected with the happiness felt when one learns something. When you learn something new, this creates new connections between your neurons. This is known as neuroplasticity. It gives you a feeling of reward. This also helps to make you feel good and happy about yourself.  You can learn a new skill or a language. You can even get enrolled in a hobby class. Choose something that you like.

In this age of social media and high-tech gadgets, it may be difficult for you to be happy with yourself. You may be in a need of a happiness trigger constantly. But you need to be wise to understand the differences between happiness within and conditional happiness. Once you do that, it will be then easy for you to be happy by yourself.