Some people see childhood as the happiest phase of their lives, others their retirement, and many would probably not commit at all. You can read here what characterizes people who are becoming more satisfied with themselves and their lives from year to year.
According to a British study Statistically speaking, people aged 65 to 79 are happiest, a German Investigation According to researchers from Bern, the self-esteem curve is an inverted, asymmetrical U with a peak between the ages of 50 and 70. What does that tell us? well At least not that we are relieved of the responsibility to ensure our individual happiness in life.
On the one hand, we might assume that as we mature and experience life, we automatically become happier. On the other hand, old age presents us with challenges: For example, we have physical pain more often and are less agile and fit. And some older people become anxious or upset with younger people. Apparently we don’t automatically develop into wise, satisfied personalities. This raises the question: What do those people contribute to it, in whom we see such a development? The following habits may not be irrelevant.
5 habits of people who get happier every year
1. They focus on what is relevant to them and what they can handle
We live in a world with an abundance of information and entertainment readily available. News from all over the world, news about politics, business, science and Co., media libraries with dozens of formats from reality TV to animal documentaries and social media in which tens of millions of people post something every day. It is obvious that nobody can follow all this. However, the fact that we as individuals can be swamped and carried away by this wealth of content, further and further away from our own path in life and from our center, does not seem to be entirely obvious to everyone – otherwise it probably wouldn’t happen.
People who are constantly becoming more satisfied with themselves and their lives usually know their personal limits: they know how much they can take in and what they can do without getting lost in the process. Based on this, they consciously decide to miss or ignore certain things – for example the hottest travel destinations, trendy restaurants, the results of the Sunday question or the average income in their society. They devote the time and attention they save through this self-chosen ignorance to themselves and their personal, small area of life – family and friends, hobbies, job, household – which grows and thrives from year to year.
2. They take care of their health
People whose happiness tends to increase tend to keep an eye on themselves and strive to lead a healthy lifestyle. For example, they always strive for a clever and sustainable way of dealing with stress and conflicts, and value an everyday routine in which they can take care of their bodies, for example getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet. They take care of their body and their psyche equally and strive to treat wounds and illnesses promptly when they arise.
3. They prioritize and nurture their relationships
People who are close to us and who may have been in our lives for decades help us to love and be content with ourselves. They make us feel that we are enough and that we are irreplaceable – as a friend, partner, parent or child, brother or sister. In no job, no commitment, no sense of achievement do we get such a profound, existential confirmation as in our intimate relationships.
People whose happiness curve in life is constantly increasing often experience exactly this supportive, fulfilling effect of familiar connections – because they fundamentally cultivate and value these connections. When in doubt, being a good brother or a good friend is more important to them than meeting a job deadline or getting hold of a limited-edition pair of sneakers.
4. They value what they own
While some people have the tendency to want to have more and more and to increase their demands from year to year, people whose satisfaction tends to increase over time often live comparatively minimalist and frugal lives. They know what they need, appreciate the occasional luxury they have, and are mindful of what they own and care about. On the other hand, what is available and what they could have is usually not on their radar – because they are not interested.
5. You allow change
Unlike individuals who always try to cling to the status quo and resist change, those who are becoming increasingly content accept that change and transformation are integral parts of life. Trusting that there is opportunity in every change, they let what they lose go with not only grief but also gratitude—gratitude for having experienced it in the first place.
Sources used: hackspirit.com, Michael Kunze, Silvia Jelincic: “The Happiness Compass: All the world’s knowledge about happiness in one book”