How to be happy - 5 golden rules

And learn to count - I make it SIX

It doesn't matter how many there are - they are good 'rules' to stick too.

I especially like your addition and would also add mix with people of all types especially the young.

Exercise is so under rated for happiness I think.
I would add being outside as quite important.

I would add being outside as quite important

Yes, I think this is very important - seeing, hearing, feeling and being amongst nature is very calming, and also stimulating - physically and mentally.

and try new experiences

And have enough money to be able to live well.

Except for catching up very briefly, avoid too much news, given that most of it is so depressing.

Dh is a news addict, so it’s just as well it doesn’t seem to depress him.

Keep your sense of humour - and never take yourself too seriously. If you can see the funny side of (almost) everything, including yourself, life is lighter, more enjoyable.

(I'm sure my very 'sensible' friend - who follows the above rules to the letter - and can't even eat a biscuit without anxiety - will worry herself to death.)

Walking in the woods is the best exercise especially listening to birds nothing can beat it. As for rules not for me guidelines are more appealing I decide what’s good for me I think every thing in moderation.

And trying to be content with what you have

Just remembered - look after your feet!

We walked through the woods this morning with MissOops dog, birds singing, a squirrel running up a tree, trees filled with chestnuts and a few rhododendrons still in flower, it was beautiful and cheered us up.
We had wellies on, so feet well sorted.

From a walk last week….

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No pic!

Be inquisitive
Cherish friends
Don’t gossip
Exercise more
Count your blessings

I did all those things on the list. I was a happy go lucky bunny in good health and content with my life. Grateful too. Shared what I have with others less fortunate (a good one to add to the list I think?). Then a devastating illness within our family recently knocked me down like a skittle. True ‘happiness’ eludes me now. I have a feeling it always will. Life events can sideswipe any of us at any time, sadly.

I once did a dinner party based on "Food that makes you happy" and spent a long time researching it. It was mainly foods that don't bloat or make you feel too full. It was a great success and we really did feel good after it. Keeping to a sensible diet and keeping your digestion in order really is very important. The latest science also shows that what's going on inside your gut has a huge influence on your mood and general wellbeing.

I would say that contentment (which is the best form of happiness) can be achieved by making it a rule to always complete what you start and tidy things away when you've finished. Not only material things but problems, arguments and projects. Perhaps I ought to start practising what I preach.

Redhead guidelines feels more comfortable as I’ve had some of my best times breaking some or even all of these rules.

Foxygloves

Just remembered - look after your feet!

And your teeth

Urmstongran

I did all those things on the list. I was a happy go lucky bunny in good health and content with my life. Grateful too. Shared what I have with others less fortunate (a good one to add to the list I think?). Then a devastating illness within our family recently knocked me down like a skittle. True ‘happiness’ eludes me now. I have a feeling it always will. Life events can sideswipe any of us at any time, sadly.

Urms How right you are. Also, when the sideswipes come one after the other it's hard to follow someone else's 'rules for happiness'. Life really isn't like that.

Kate1949

Urms How right you are. Also, when the sideswipes come one after the other it's hard to follow someone else's 'rules for happiness'. Life really isn't like that.

I fully empathise with what you say (been there, done that with life’s sideswipes), but I guess coping with sadness / disappointments / catastrophes can be helped by self-care (eating and sleeping as well as you can, being with others, going for walks, etc)

Yes StacyAnna. There can't be many who have avoided life changing trauma/shocks.