Increased Happiness Help in Beverly Hills, MI—Therapists and Counselors

When you look at the people in your life who are genuinely happy, what allows them to go through life with a smile on their face? More likely than not, these joyful people receive bad news just like anyone else—the unexpected bill, the surprise diagnosis, the rain on their parade. Sure, they also feel frustrated or sad or disappointed, but the happiness inevitably returns. Pharrell Williams describes them well in his song, “Happy,”

Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don’t hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don’t waste your time
Here’s why: Because I’m happy…

Bloggers and podcasters have countless suggestions for how to achieve this resilient joy: Get enough sleep but not too much. Try power poses. Try yoga. Have this many friends. And on and on the advice goes. No doubt people want to feel happy, but is it possible for people to make themselves happier?

Yes, people can learn to be happier. At one point, mental health professionals thought that each person had a fixed range of happiness they could feel; people could fluctuate within their set range, but the range itself stayed stable. However, new research shows that happiness is more like a muscle. Yes, it has a base-level of strength, but people can build upon that base. With time and practice, the happiness people can experience may be limitless.

If people can increase their happiness level, the next logical question is how? What are meaningful mental exercises that lead to more happiness and what is clickbait? Many people turn to strength trainers to increase their physical strength, and many people are also turning to mental health professionals to increase their happiness strength.

Everybody can be happier, and Thriveworks Beverly Hills can help. The therapists at Thriveworks Beverly Hills have supported many clients as they prioritizing their own happiness.

Resilient Happiness Comes from Within

Most people have connected their happiness to events and people outside of their control. For example, can you relate to any of these scenarios?

• Your team made it to the big game, and your feet might not touch the ground today you are so happy.
• The grocery store is out of one ingredient you need for dinner tonight so the special meal you had planned is ruined and so is your evening.

Countless situations could be insert into the same equations: positive event=positive feelings. Negative events=negative feelings. Unfortunately, people have little to no control over the outcome of these events that seemingly determine their happiness. Joy can feel like an out-of-control, random emotion.

There is no mistaking that other people and circumstances outside of themselves affect people’s happiness. There is also no mistaking that outside forces are not the only factors, nor are they the most influential. There are many habits within people’s control that affect their happiness level: certain habits that dampen joy and others that cultivate it.

Habits that Dampen Joy

The path toward more happiness often begins by identifying personal emotional habits that dampen joy. A few examples of habits that steal happiness include:

• Comparison: Looking around to compare one’s possessions, situations, and actions to others’ almost always leads to resentment, not happiness.
• Entitlement: Feelings as if happiness is deserved or as if it will come without effort often means that people will be waiting a long time to experience joy.
• Blame: Pointing fingers instead of problem solving usually means that life’s challenges grow and choke out happiness.

Strength Training for More Happiness

Identifying and eliminating blame, entitlement, and comparison can go a long way towards a happier life, but these negative emotional habits need to be replaced with positive ones. It is great to stop looking to outside circumstances for one’s happiness, and the next step is often learning how to draw happiness from within oneself.

This may sound like a herculean feat, but many people have learned that small, consistent steps make a big difference toward experiencing more happiness. Mental health counselors can help people identify what habits and practices may increase their happiness, but often, happiness involves the past, present, and future elements of thankfulness, mindfulness, and goalsetting.

• Promoting thankfulness – Take time to look back on your day. What went well? What are three things you are thankful for? Taking time for gratitude each day means people learn to focus upon what is beautiful, kind, and right in their lives.
• Practicing mindfulness – Be present in the moment; feel each feeling, think each thought, notice each sensation. Do no label them or pass judgment. Simply be and experience and exist.
• Setting a goal – Looking toward the future with focused attention upon a personal or professional goal often means the days to come will be exciting and rewarding. The key is setting challenging but achievable goals.

Increased Happiness Help at Thriveworks Beverly Hills, MI

There is no magic formula or quick-fix that leads to more happiness, and yet, people can increase their joy. It takes time and effort, but no one has to do it alone. Thriveworks Beverly Hills offers counseling for increasing happiness.

If you want to meet with a counselor about boosting your happiness, know that Thriveworks Beverly Hills offers appointments on weekends and evenings. We accept many forms of insurance, and new clients often meet with their therapist within 24 hours of their first call to our office.

Let’s work toward a happier life together. Call Thriveworks Beverly Hills, MI today.