People want to be happy, but they’re often resistant to making huge life changes to service that desire. If only there was a secret happiness formula!
Philanthropist and author Todd Patkin thinks he can help. He co-authored (with Dr. Howard Rankin) Finding Happiness: One Man’s Quest to Beat Depression and Anxiety and –Finally–Let the Sunshine in.
He offers 10 tips for a happier new year:
- If you don’t exercise, start. Exercise not only keeps you healthy and helps control weight, it’s a natural antidepressant.
- Be easier on yourself. You need to love and forgive yourself for your mistakes and shortcomings.
- Find some way this year to put your gifts and talents to work. “Playing to your strengths brings real happiness,” Patkin says.
- Build richer relationships with loved ones.
- Celebreate your spouse.
- Let the people you appreciate know it — not just close friends and family, but your co-workers or kids’ teachers.
- Forgive comeone who has wronged you. Forgiveness is, at its heart, an act of self-love — if you can’t let go of pain and anger, you can’t be happy.
- Become a giver. Happiness is not about how much you make; it’s about how much you share.
- Take a baby step toward finding some faith.
- Make 2011 a year of gratitude; work to be more appreciative in general.