How to be happy

Last reviewed: June 2026. We review our guides regularly to keep them accurate.

How to be happy

Most of us will know what it feels like to be happy or to experience happiness. It seems to be a loose term and many times we don’t really think about what it means to be happy. Happiness is described as a mental or emotional state of feeling positive or pleasant or experiencing intense joy. It is also used to describe life satisfaction or personal wellbeing.

What creates happiness? 

Happiness does have a very important role in our lives and can have an enormous impact on the way we view our lives and that of others.  We tend to measure our happiness by success, wealth, social relationships, and sadly materialistic things. Surely the above will be able to bring happiness to your lives but I believe there are far greater ways of reaching true happiness. We don’t need to have everything we want in order to be happy. True happiness can be obtained by finding joy in what we already have, however much or little that may seem. For instance, when we are happy in our most important relationships (usually our spouse or significant other, our children and/or our parents, other close family members, our closest friends and pets), we tend to be happier. Clearly, the joy that other living beings bring far outweighs that of worldly possessions.

Why is happiness so important?

I often wonder why is it so important to be happy or to ensure happiness in our lives when for example your health might seem to be of more importance. Research has shown that happiness can be linked to overall life satisfaction and well-being. There have been studies done to prove that happy people tend to be healthier and more successful. Here is a list of reasons why being happy can be beneficial to your health and well-being:

1. Happy people are more productive and more creative bringing more success to your professional life.
2. Happy people get sick less often and experience fewer symptoms when they do get sick.
3. Happy people have an easier time navigating through life since optimism eases pain, sadness, and grief.
4. Happy people have a positive influence on others and encourage them to seek happiness as well, which can act as reinforcement.
5. Happy people smile more, which is beneficial to your health.
6. Happy people exercise more often and eat more healthily.

How do we stay happy? 

Happiness can seem really hard to find and maintaining happiness will seem difficult at times. The key to staying happy often lies in your thoughts, decisions, and daily habits. Happiness is much easier to find and maintain than you think. Spend time pursuing a hobby or cause that you feel passionate about or that brings joy. If you spend your free time doing things you enjoy, then you’ll experience a lot more happiness in the long run. Surround yourself with happy people and think about your personal relationships. Whether it’s family or friends there’s nothing wrong with cutting toxic people out of your life! Life’s too short to spend your time with miserable, unhappy people. If your feeling stressed out, try to distract yourself from the negative influence. Instead focus on activities that make you feel positive and relaxed, like listening to music, going for a walk or having a cup of tea. Stepping away from the stressful and negative environment will provide instant relief. Our minds are the most powerful tool in the pursuit of happiness. If your mindset is not set to receive and create your own happiness, then soon you will find yourself in a slumber. Always look for the bright side in every situation and remember to laugh at yourself and with others.