Midlife happiness is more important than feeling good because it’s essential for health, longevity, success, and relationships. There are several straightforward things you may do every day to enhance your chances of feeling joyful. You’ll have a good time doing these! They are self-satisfying behaviors.
According to a recent study, people’s happiness follows a U shape throughout their lives, peaking around midlife. The lowest point occurred between 47 and 49 and will come as no surprise to people in their forties and fifties and those experiencing a midlife crisis.
Use the following 10 ideas to take charge of your midlife happiness.
Table of Contents
1. Listen to music
There aren’t many things that affect your emotions as quickly as hearing music you enjoy. According to research, when you listen to music that moves you, your brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter implicated in motivation and addiction. For the same reason, you are lured to “sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll!” Listening to music is a key to enhancing your midlife happiness.
So, dust off your CDs or vinyl and pick those tracks that make you feel happy, joyful, and optimistic. And don’t forget that there is plenty of free music on the internet and radio. Every day, set aside a few minutes to listen to a song or two that raises your mood.
All music tastes are different, but here are some that do it for me!
Rock: “Don’t Stop Me Now” (Queen), “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (Guns N’ Roses), “Born To Run” (Bruce Springsteen), “Heroes” (David Bowie), “Living On A Prayer” (Bon Jovi), “Uptown Girl” (Billy Joel), “Big Yellow Taxi” (Joni Mitchell)
Jazz: “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” (Michael Bublé and Tony Bennett), “Soul Bossa Nova” (Quincy Jones), “Take Five” (Dave Brubeck), “Birdland” (Weather Report), “The Girl From Ipanema” (Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto)
Classical: “Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven), “Spring” from Four Seasons (Vivaldi), “Polonez” As-dur Op. 53 (Fryderyk Chopin), “The Marriage of Figaro” overture (Mozart), “Largo al factotum” from The Barber of Seville (Rossini)
Live Music
According to research conducted by O2, which owns the biggest music venues in the UK, and Goldsmith University, attending live concerts regularly may help you live longer. Live music contributes to positive mental feelings greater than activities such as yoga or spending time with your cat or dog.
Dancing
Dancing will take care of you emotionally! The body releases endorphins while you dance. This is a chemical that causes positive energy and pleasant feelings to be released! It aids in the improvement of our mental condition and pain reduction. So, in a nutshell, dancing is your midlife happiness remedy!
2. Be thankful
It simply takes a moment to reflect on the positive aspects of your life. You most likely have food to eat, a buddy or two, or a dry place to sleep. You most likely have more. Instead of focusing on what you need, remind yourself of what you have. Here are some self-reflection questions I use:
- What can I do each day to invite more happiness into my life?
- When I feel blue, how do I react? What are my behaviors?
- What actions can I take to ensure I maintain my happiness, regardless of what troubles me?
3. Spend some time in nature
Sit in the sun, go for a stroll, or do some gardening. I love walking or cycling in a pine forest, amongst dunes, and by lakes or reservoirs. Every day, your mind, body, and soul require some sunlight and fresh air. It may transform your view on life.
4. Think positive
Your ideas guide your emotions. You will feel anxious if you think about anything upsetting. Consider something that makes you happy, and you will feel more satisfied. What are your favorite memories? There’s no harm in thinking pleasant thoughts for a few minutes!
5. Get things done
Studies have shown that making progress toward a goal is one of the most powerful methods to improve happiness. It may be performing one more push-up, learning a new foreign word, losing a couple of pounds, or learning a new tune on your guitar or piano. It does not take much improvement to feel happy.
6. Spend time with other people
It used to be challenging to find time to spend alone. However, nowadays, we communicate online, text, and spend a lot of time alone. We’ve become increasingly isolated in recent years. It’s vital to have significant face-to-face conversations now and then.
7. Become more forgiving
It’s challenging to be joyful while you’re harboring a grudge. If you want to be happier, forgive fast and readily. That does not imply that you must give the other individual another chance. Forgiving someone does not have to mean accepting the prospect of a repeat performance.
8. Maintain a positive attitude
An optimistic viewpoint generates a better mood than a pessimistic viewpoint. It is also critical to be realistic. Foolish optimism may seem fantastic at the moment, but the agony will come. Have a positive yet realistic attitude on life.
9. Keep moving and exercise
If you’ve been sitting all day, going for a lengthy walk, yoga, tai chi, or palates improves your mood. A sedentary lifestyle negatively impacts your mood, and a little exercise can undoubtedly increase your happiness. If you’re in good shape and healthy, try swimming, a gym session, cycling, and running.
10. Chill-out
Stress impedes happiness, so, at least once a day, unwind. You could sit in the sun with your eyes closed, meditate, pray, do some journaling, read a book, take a little snooze, or try some yoga. There may be other health methods of relaxation. It is all up to you, but do avoid recreational drugs and alcohol for obvious reasons.
In Conclusion
Being unhappy hurts both you and others around you. We frequently postpone happiness until a later time. We determine that when we grow up, we’ll purchase a home, a beautiful vehicle, save a particular amount of money, or meet the person of our dreams, we will be happy. This assumption is a blunder. To be happy, you don’t need fame, riches, or money.
A few simple behaviors done daily can move you closer to feeling happy each day. What are you prepared to do today to enhance your happiness? Make a plan and add to your positive emotions.
Do yourself and everyone else in your life a huge favor and make your happiness a priority! Visit our site to learn more about midlife health, fitness, lifestyle, weight loss, and mental health. We will help you navigate your midlife years and flourish in an ever-changing world.
