Extension Corner: Finding Happiness in the New Year

As a glass-half-full kind of person, I’m of the opinion that at least we (somewhat) survived and have 2020 behind us. It certainly had its share of challenges that are still lingering and it’s pretty clear we could all use a fresh start.

So, in 2021 let’s look at resolution-setting differently. Instead of, as an example, vowing to quit eating sweets or pay down debt (which are definitely important), why don’t we all just set the intention to be happier in the new year?

I know this goes against the conventional goal-creating wisdom of making resolutions that are specific and measurable, but that’s the whole point. But more than half of us completely abandon our resolutions within six months anyway.

If we focus on simply cultivating happiness and positivity in our lives, we’ll feel more motivated and inspired. I’m not saying that “happiness” doesn’t mean that you’re never stressed, sad, or frustrated, because that’s impossible

Ḣere are some ways that can help you learn to be happy in 2021:

• Spend more time with your favorite people. Friends and family are some of the most important people in your life, so plan quality time with them. Don’t just fit it in if you have time. The numberone predictor of happiness is spending time with people you care about and who care about you.

• Define what brings you meaning and do more of it. If the phrase “find your purpose” makes you break out in hives, take a deep breath and shift your perspective. A lot of people think living with purpose is this giant, lifelong question. What the science of happiness teaches is you can find this in your daily and weekly life, and by doing that you can increase your positive emotions. The key is to think about the things you do that feel especially meaningful, or even spiritual, and make them part of your routine.

• Move and eat well—but be gentle with yourself. Resolving to work out more and eat healthier are actually great choices—exercise releases all sorts of feel-good neurotransmitters in our brains, and our gut health also plays a big role in our mental health. But we often approach diet and movement from a strict place, which can be distressing. Instead, keep it simple. The way to be happier is to adhere as much as possible to our natures. “So as opposed to saying, ‘I’m going to lose 20 pounds,’ create a healthy habit that says ‘My body is supposed to move, this is what nature intended, and three mornings a week, I’m going to go for a walk.'” As far at eating well, bypass strict diets and simply eat closer to nature—more fruits and vegetables, less processed foods. A diet rich in natural foods will contribute to your level of happiness and wellbeing.

• Celebrate your wins (and be mindful of your losses). Researchers have found that humans are wired to have a negativity bias—we tend to dwell more on our doom-andgloom thoughts than positive ones. That’s why it’s really important to step back and savor our moments of happiness when they occur. As an example, let’s say your boss congratulates you on a project you did. Most people say thanks and get right back to work. But why not sit in your chair for a second and feel all of those positive emotions, and maybe even tell a few of your best friends about it as well? A lot of times, we’re moving so fast that we’re missing the positive moments. Letting good feedback truly soak in helps to give those happy moments more real estate in our minds. But make no mistake—this doesn’t mean we should shove our negative emotions aside. The difference is mindfully confronting them as opposed to ruminating. Positive psychology has shown you will work through painful emotions quicker if you journal or ask a friend to talk about it. Meditation is also a great tool for this. Just sit for 10 minutes at the end of the day and think about what made you upset, what was happening before, during, and after, and what you learned from it. The important thing is not to be angry with yourself for having those emotions.

• Learn something new. Research has found that adults who were picking up a new skill reported increased happiness and satisfaction throughout their day. Exploring something that interests you could be key to having a happy 2021. It could be learning to cook or taking a class related to your job. When you’re learning and growing, you’re going to have a higher level of happiness than staying static intellectually. Our desire for new information hasn’t changed much from our baby and toddler days. We get a lot of pleasurable emotions from learning. There are always educational programs offered through the OSU Extension Service. No matter what county you live in, there are Educators offering a variety of topics such as nutrition, parenting, financial management, leadership, gardening, crops, livestock and much more.

For more information on programs offered locally, check out the Blaine County OSU Extension Facebook page “Blaine County OSU Extension”; the county website at: https://extension.okstate.edu/county/blaine; call 580-623-5195;or come by the Blaine County OSU Extension located in the basement of the country courthouse.