This post isn’t about making drastic life changes to achieve greater happiness, nor is it a big rant about how it’s the little things in life we should be thinking about.
But, the point I want to get across is that you don’t have to give up your job (unless you can’t stand your boss and it’s really stressing you out!), go trekking through the Amazon, start a million $ company… to feel more fulfilled, excited, happy… about being alive.
Most of these life hacks can be implemented pretty much straight away and can be used as stepping stones so when or if you decide to do anything drastic, you’ll be much better prepared.
So…in no particular order of importance, here are my 101 life hacks for greater happiness.
1. Become less attached to your stuff
You don’t need to destroy everything you own like artist, Michael Landy, but becoming less attached to your material possessions and even your relationships to an extent will make you feel much more content.
2. Keep a gratitude journal
Every morning or evening, write down 10 things you’re grateful for and then evaluate how you feel after a month. I can guarantee you that if you’ve been feeling a bit down about life in general, doing this exercise will help to put your life back into perspective.
3. Read Man’s Search for Meaning
Leading on from writing a gratitude journal, reading this book might just change your outlook on life. I won’t go into an in depth explanation here, but it’s a powerful book written by psychologist, Victor Frankl during WW2. The general idea is that everything can be taken from a person except the freedom to choose an attitude in any given circumstance.
4. Stop watching the news
I couldn’t not include this one. I know many people would disagree with me on this, but from a personal perspective, I’ve felt much happier as a result of leaving the room every time someone puts the news at 10 on. Instead, read about stuff that will actually benefit you and if you’re still not convinced, ask yourself what purpose watching the news really has and how useful it is for you to know? Are you a better person because you watch it?
5. Dance
Whether you can or you can’t, it doesn’t matter. Try out 5Rhythms, go clubbing, light a fire and dance around it naked, create your own silent disco in your room, take up break dancing…
6. Start a 30 day challenge
I’ve written a lot about the benefits of doing a 30 day challenge. After all,it only takes 1 month to break bad habits and implement permanent change for the better. If you’re stuck for ideas, read my list of 100 30 day challenge ideas to get you started.
7. Be endlessly curious
Easier said than done, but try not to let samey routines or mundane tasks get you down. Set the intention to be forever curious and see what a difference it will make.
8. Try lucid dreaming
One of the best moments of my life was the first lucid dream I ever had. My dream felt more ‘real’ than waking life. Lucid dream and you’ll never look at life in the same way again (in a good way!)
9. Be satisfied not knowing it all
Never stop learning, but relax and don’t beat yourself up for not knowing stuff. And don’t feel like you have to appear that you know more than you do — people will see through it. Plus keeping up a front is exhausting.
10. Smile more
OK, this ones a bit of a cliche, but it’s on the list for a reason — I think the world world would just be a happier place for everyone if people smiled more, especially at strangers, and especially if you live in London.
11. Keep learning
You don’t have to add more degrees to your CV to keep learning. Keep your brain sharp and your mind endlessly curious — pick up new books, learn a new skill, watch TED talks… Enjoy learning for the sake of learning and not just for the end result.
12. Drink hot water
I did Hot Yoga for one month and felt incredible during and afterwards (once I’d got over the initial migraine!). Health wise, I don’t think Hot Yoga is any better for you than regular types of yoga, but I was drinking heaps more water than I normally would and felt much more clear headed as a result. If you really don’t like the taste, do as my housemate Connie does, and drink it hot — add a slice of lemon for a bit of taste.
13. Trust your intuition
I’m a massive believer in synchronicity and that when you trust your intuition or gut, you start noticing more positive synchronicities in life. Remember, deep down you probably have the answers, you just have to learn to listen to yourself. With some things it might not make sense at first, but I’ve often found that my intuition rarely fails me. It’s a powerful guide and in my opinion, one of the most life hacks for greater happiness.
14. Learn to forgive
Whether it’s others or yourself you need to forgive, make time now to give up grudges that may manifest later on as disease. If you don’t know where to start read my post 7 forgiveness exercises to heal you.
15. Meditate
Five minutes a day is better than 2 hours a month and it doesn’t matter if you think you’re doing it wrong. There’s enough research out there to prove that meditation makes us happier in the long run even if it might feel boring at the time.
16. Observe your thoughts for a week
The average person is supposed to have over 50,000 thoughts a day. If our thoughts and feelings help to create our futures, make sure you’re thoughts are helping to create your happiness, not deplete it.
17. Feel in control
Do you believe in fate or are you the driver of your destiny? Or maybe you’re somewhere in between? I think that when we give up on our power to create the lives we want, it’s almost impossible to feel happy. You can never change stuff that happens outside of your control, but you can always choose your attitude.
18. Practise Karma Yoga (selfless service)
You could just do one small act of kindness every day, even if it’s just making someone a cup of tea.
19. Have more sex
Try out new positions, buy a vibrator if you don’t already have one, enjoy being naked…Need I say any more? Just remember to be safe!
20. Enjoy being naked
I think this one leads nicely on from No.19. Certainly in the UK, I think people are way too self conscious of their bodies and being naked. I lived in northern Finland for half a year and the attitude was totally different. It was the norm to be naked there because of the big sauna culture and swimming in frozen lakes.
21. Go swimming in icy waters
Just read anything written by Wim Hof to find out the benefits of immersing your body into freezing temperatures. First hand, I can vouch and say, when I lived in northern Scandinavia, I often went swimming naked in freezing lakes and found the experience totally exhilarating. And if you don’t have a lake near by, try the bath — just be careful!
22. Eat colourful food
I’ve got a thing about eating brightly coloured food. English food can be so grey and stodgy sometimes and meat and 2 veg just gets boring every day. Maybe it’s just me, but when my food looks all bright and colourful on my plate I just feel better in that moment.
Image: The Chromatic Diet by artist Sophie Calle who eats a plate of differently coloured food each day.
23. Relax
Stress is the root cause of most diseases, so make time each day to properly unwind. Can you afford not to?
24. Use your eyes to their full potential
I love this excerpt that I found on High Existence:
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Make constant eye contact when in conversation
Looking away (especially down) is a sign of inferiority and uncertainty. Instead, look at your conversation partner dead in the eyes and keep them locked on.
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Master the piercing stare
You know when someone looks at you and it feels like they can see into your soul? Well that’s not a hereditary characteristic, it just takes practice. Work on sharpening your gaze in the mirror. You’ll know you have it when it’s intimidating to continue looking at yourself
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Master the one-eyebrow raise
This one isn’t necessary by any means, but hey, why not? Pick a brow to learn with and go look in a mirror. Raise both of your eyebrows but use your hand to hold down the brow that you want to stay down. This will probably feel very stupid at first but if you keep trying, you will eventually pin down the muscle you need to flex to get that one brow up
25. Work out
Practise yoga, go running, take up snowboarding … anything to wake your body up and stop you feeling heavy and sluggish.
26. Ditch the TV
At least try this one for a week. Take up a 30 day challenge instead. If you watch TV a lot, you must be able to put your time to better use.
27. Spend time with friends who inspire you
If you become the people who you spend the most time with, make sure you select your closest friends wisely. Ditch the people in your life that put you down or make you feel bad.
28. Take more photos
Don’t just take photos when you’re on holiday or travelling in exotic countries. Use your camera or phone to ignite your curiosity and sense of wonder. Make it your mission, to take one interesting photo a day for a month and see if it changes the way you view the world.
29. Give people your full attention
I wholeheartedly agree that time is often the best gift you can give someone. Be conscious of where your mind goes when you’re talking one on one with others. Very few people listen with complete attention and awareness.
30. Meet your shadow
No one really likes to confront their demons, weaknesses, and the things they’d rather keep hidden, but confronting this stuff will leave your head feeling freer in the long run. You don’t need to declare all your bad points to the world, but accepting them is a first step.
31. Write lists
This is just something I like to do whether they’re ‘to do’ lists or huge lists of life goals, I’ve often found when you write something down, it’s more likely to happen — power in the written word and all that.
32. Use your imagination more
The following quote is something I wholeheartedly agree with.
“Imagination is the preview to life’s coming attractions” — Albert Einstein
33. Give worrying a time limit
I had a 24 hour train journey ahead of me when a bare footed man approached me at a train station and said “You’re going to get kidnapped”. Rather than letting my imagination spiral out of control, I gave myself two minutes to reflect, rationalise and come to the conclusion that I’d just bumped into a mad man rather than some insightful mystic. He would after all be famous and on TV if that was the case.
34. Question your motives
If one of your goals is to be the director of x company ask yourself why you’d really like that position. If you want to travel because you feel unhappy in your life right now, ask yourself if travelling is just a way of running away rather than confronting a problem.
35. Write more letters
We don’t really write letters to friends anymore, but who doesn’t love receiving a good old fashioned hand written letter or origami note in the post?
36. Learn a new language
Admittedly I can only speak English, but you could turn language learning into a 30 or 90 day challenge. The language learning website livemocha is free to use.
37. Wake up the right way
What’s the first thing you do each morning? If it’s checking your emails on your phone or getting annoyed by your alarm, make a conscious decision to do something else. Cuddle your lover, meditate, repeat a mantra…
38. Stretch
Whether you’re practising yoga or not, stretching makes you feel incredibly light and freer. At least try stretching every day for a week and see how you feel.
39. Make others feel good
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
40. Be mysterious
“Don’t let off everything about you and definitely leave out some major details. There is something both alluring and mesmerizing about someone who no one knows fully about. I’m not saying to confide in no one or to alienate yourself. Just think James Bond.” — High Existence
41. Manifest your future
Use mantras, affirmations, creative visualisations, time framed goals… do whatever feels right without forcing it, to manifest a life you want.
42. Read the Tibetan book of Living and Dying
In the West most of us have a pretty unhealthy attitude towards death, in that thinking about it is seen as morbid, but perhaps reflecting on death more is something we all need to do.
43. Learn to deal with criticism healthily
This is something I’m dealing with. I won’t go into deal here, but you can read my post Dealing with criticism: 5 effective solutions as a start.
44. Take more naps
According to lucid dreaming teacher, Charlie Morley, taking a short nap each day, will make you feel better or at least make you more productive if you get that sluggish feeling at around 2-3pm.
45. Realise that you don’t have to be liked by everyone
If someone takes a disliking towards you, it’s often their hang up so let it go and don’t take it personally. Focus on the people who love you — they’re the ones who count.
46. Question why you dislike certain people?
Has this person pissed you off or are you just projecting your own weaknesses onto them?
47. Practise free writing
As part of my meditation teacher training, I took part in a group meditation where afterwards we were all instructed to either write poetry or streams of free writing consciousness. I’ve always found free writing to be an incredibly soothing exercise whether you do it alone or after meditation. Read more about free writing and how to do it.
48. Be a skeptic, not a cynic
I was at a lucid dreaming talk by Charlie Morley at Secret Garden Party Festival a few years ago and he said “I’m sceptical, but never cynical” and I’ve loved that saying ever since. When you’re sceptical, there’s room to change, when you’re a cynic you’re stuck in your ways.
49. Find your passion in life
There’s an exercise I really like where you have 20 minutes to write down a 100 things you’d like to do, achieve, be…They don’t have to be realistic. You can be as imaginative and creative as you like. The idea that makes you go tingly or even cry is what you’re supposed to do.
50. Change yourself from with first
You might be in a situation where you hate your life, you want to quit your job, get more money, be more clever, more beautiful…change your attitude first otherwise you’ll be like lottery winners who are bad with money. They end up spending all the money super quick and find themselves back where they started or in an even worse position.
51. Look after your ears
Wear ear plugs at load gigs if you still want to hear music at 80.
52. Listen to music more
Find new music, use music to visualise your goals, see more live music…
53. Learn from everyone you meet
Just like in relationships — learn from everyone you meet. If you find yourself really disliking someone for no obvious reason, question which parts of their character you dislike. I’ve often learned a lot about myself this way, even if the stuff isn’t always pleasant.
54. Explore life like a child
Children have no fear when they draw — they’re not afraid of producing work that looks bad. Think back to when you were a child — were you endlessly curious? Did you approach projects with no fear of failing? Did you think anything was possible?
55. Embrace the rain
Dance in the rain, walk barefoot through puddles, enjoy a steaming hot bath once you’re inside again.
56. Try a silent retreat
Also known as Buddhist Vipassana meditation, you can spend anywhere up to 10 days in total silence. I’m yet to do this, but it’s already on my list for the future. If you want to know what to expect, read this personal experience of being at a Vipassana meditation retreat.
57. Spend more time with friends
Call up friends you haven’t seen in a while, work less, throw a dinner party, suggest going camping with close friends… Reevaluate how much time you spend with the people you care about.
58. Start a new project
I’m reading the book ‘Mind over Medicine’ at the moment, and the author, Lissa Rankin suggests that when there’s a happy person, there’s a project. So, whether it’s starting a new website, repainting your house, learning a new skill, you’ll be happier in the long run.
59. Help others
Volunteer, practise random acts of kindness, do karma yoga — whatever you decide to do or whoever much time you have to give, helping others will help to give your life more meaning.
60. Declutter your stuff
Give clothes you haven’t worn for 6 months to charity shops, throw out old cosmetics, give books away…Ask yourself if you really need all the stuff you have.
61. Ditch women’s magazines
They’ll just lower your confidence and make you feel like you’re either too fat or too thin. Read something of actual value instead.
62. Colour code your stuff
I went over to a friend’s house a while back and all his books were arranged in colour. I remember thinking ‘how pretty’. Not sure if it’ll make you happy for life, but it’ll be aesthetically pleasing for visitors.
63. Stop bitching and gossiping
When I’m around people who bitch and gossip it bores me. Find something else to talk about. Stop criticising other peoples’ lives and start focusing on your own. Sorry to get all preachy on you — it’s just a pet hate of mine. Rant over.
64. Practise mindfulness
We spend most of our lives either in the past or the future and probably a shockingly low percentage of our time in the present. Mindfulness can help to bring you back to the now and make you feel happier and more content in the long run when practised regularly. Read more about mindfulness and how it can benefit your life right now.
65. Be yourself
Stop censoring your life, take off the mask, say what you really think and don’t worry about the outcome. Easier said than done and something I still struggle with, but at least make small steps to be yourself for the majority, if not all of the time.
66. Stop comparing yourself to others
Compare yourself to others and you risk living a life made up purely of the things you think you should be doing rather than the things that really make you happy.
67. Laugh more
Laughing makes you happier. Make up stupid jokes or scenarios in your head, surround yourself with funny people, watch some stand up, try laughter yoga or just force yourself to laugh for at least 2 minutes solidly every day.
68. Read the Biology of Belief
Heard of epigenetics? Cell biologist, Bruce Lipton explains why we don’t have to be slaves to our genes and how our DNA can be controlled and manipulated by thought and the environments we put ourselves in.
69. Be conscious in your relationships
Read this inspiring ThoughtBrick post by Jeremy Brown ‘Waking up’ together: 3 essential components for a more conscious relationship.
70. Really listen to people
About five years ago, I met a guy who’d been living as a Buddhist monk for 7 years, and it struck me how focused and present he was. He listened intently, remembered details and was genuinely interested in what everyone had to say.
71. Get out of your comfort zone
Your comfort zone might feel nice but if you’ve never pushed yourself out of it, you might look back on your life and think, ‘I wish I could have been a bit more courageous’ and pushed to do the things I really wanted to do.
72. Spend time in nature
I live in London, and automatically, whenever I go back to my parents who live in the Yorkshire Wolds, I instantly feel calmer. Don’t underestimate nature’s ability to heal and rejuvenate you – -even if you’re not the outdoorsy/ nature type.
73. Only spend time with people you actually like
This might sound like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised at how many people surround themselves around people who bring them down. Of course, be there for good friends when they need you, but re-evaluate who you spend the majority of your time with — do you enjoy the company of these people? Do they inspire you? Do they make you laugh and feel happy about life? If the answers are no, then perhaps reconsider how much time you’re spending around people like this.
74. Learn to be more productive
Check out this site A Year of Productivity to help save yourself time. It’s amazing how much we procrastinate as a species — from overly checking emails, to thinking the same unproductive thoughts and repeating the same patterns.
75. Set goals
A lot of the time we hear, ‘live life in the present’, ‘don’t worry about the future’. However, at the same time, I think it’s important not to be neglectful of our goals and dreams in life. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have everything figured out, but some goals to work towards could be a positive move forward, especially if you feel like your aimlessly drifting.
76. Write down your dreams
Dreams are the language of the unconscious. As soon as you wake up, write down what you remember and see what new things you might learn about yourself.
77. Love yourself
Love yourself first before expecting it from others.
78. Know your boundaries
Know how you expect to be treated in order to minimise your chances of being taken for granted or being walked all over.
79. Read new books
Read books you might not usually be drawn to — fiction or non fiction. Write yourself a book list and expand your knowledge.
80. Care less what others think
Listen to the people you love, but make your own mind up. Don’t let petty opinions of people you only vaguely know get the better of you.
81. Be more empathetic
Even when others disagree with you and fail to see where you’re coming from, it doesn’t mean you have to be the same. Try to understand and empathise with people without taking things personally. Understanding someone is not the same as accepting someone’s behaviour.
82. Spend time around animals
Ok, some of you may not have pets, but if you do, go and stroke your cat, play fetch with your dog or talk to your lizard. My friend Fiona, has often said, animals give off Reiki energy — whether this is true or not, they certainly help to calm me down if I’m ever feeling a bit stressed.
83. Cook, bake or learn how
Food tastes better when it’s been made with love and home cooked or baked. If you don’t know how, pick up a cookbook and learn a few simple recipes. Don’t fill yourself up on endless packaged meals and processed snacks.
84. Take responsibility for your life
This one isn’t as boring as it sounds. by taking responsibility, I mean having a high locus of control and realising that you are in the driving seat. External stuff will happen that’s out of your control, but you are essentially responsible for how you react to what’s thrown your way.
85. Try lots of new things
You don’t have to have everything figured out — well, ever really — that’s the beauty of being human, we can change our minds and craft the lives we’d really like to live. Give yourself the flexibility to try lots of things, experiment and discover what you really truly enjoy. No one is saying you have to stick doing one thing for the rest of your life!
86. Call your Mum
She’ll at least be pleased you called.
87. Go to bed with positive thoughts
Listen to calming music, think about what you enjoyed most that day, meditate … do whatever feels right for you so you can go to sleep peacefully and wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the world with enthusiasm.
88. Create an altar
You don’t have to be religious to create a sacred space in your home. Light candles, put up pictures of loved ones or deities you like, meditate on Buddha…
89. Read Think and Grow Rich
This book had such a positive influence on my life, it’s strange to think that I put off reading it for so long because I thought the title sounded shallow. It helped me to figure out what I was worth though — prior to reading the book, I was working 10 hour days for little more than minimum wage. I’m no millionaire now, but I can now afford the things I’d like and I have more time to do stuff I love doing. This book helped to change my attitude towards money more than anything else.
90. Try a love experiment
This is a life tip from High Existence which I quite liked.
Spend a week masquerading as Christ-figure and bring love into every aspect of your life. Start your day by sending out mental “I love you’s” to your friends and family. As you go through your day, silently (or out loud!) wish something nice upon any strangers you see. Monitor your every thought and action to be sure you’re acting out of love. This sounds cheesy but it is a fantastic feeling becomes addicting.
91. Collect experiences over possessions
You’re more likely to remember that incredible road trip driving across the US than you are the car you drove in, unless you built it yourself.
92. Only say compliments you mean
People can see through fakeness.
93. Watch the Waking Life
This is one of my all time favourite films that explores the nature of reality, dreams and consciousness. I can watch it over and over again and each time I see something new — the sign of a great film in my opinion.
94. Moisturise
I religiously lather my skin in coconut oil everyday. It’s cheaper than most moisturisers out there, it smells good and makes my skin feel beautiful.
95. Sing
Sing in the shower, chant after yoga, join a choir, act out the karaoke scene from Lost in Translation… Whether you’re tone deaf or an X Factor/The Voice (or whatever other talent programs exist today) wannabe, singing can just feel liberating sometimes.
96. Climb onto rooftops
Ever since watching Mary Poppins as a child I’ve been a bit addicted to quiet roof tops in busy cities. There’s something almost spiritual about being high up in a quiet space when everything below is crazy and hectic. Topped with some wine and a sunset, you can’t go wrong.
97. Eat dark chocolate
If all else fails, treat yourself to some good quality dark chocolate. It’ll make you feel good — even if it’s just for a short time.
98. View everyone as a potential friend
Just because you think you might never see someone again doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make any effort with them. You never know what might happen or who that person might be.
99. Never stop questioning
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” Albert Einstein
100. Talk to your neighbours
If you live in London, this one goes without saying. Growing up, everyone on our street knew one another pretty much, but living in London, it’s rare to find two neighbours that actually say hi or even know one anothers names.
101. Put love into everything you do
In yoga, there’s a saying that you should give everything your full attention, completing every small or seemingly meaningless task with love and energy — even sweeping floors for hours. It’s a hard pill for me to swallow sometimes, especially when I have to work with difficult people or do jobs I find mundane or repetitive, but I truly believe that if you manage to master this, you really will live a happier and more meaningful life.
Photography: Glastonbury Festival 2014
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