How to be happy in 2022?

The new year has begun and things are feeling a little blurry. We want to see the epidemic end, but the omicron variant of Covid-19 and the endless gray skies of winter have combined to create a gloom that is not exactly the best start to 2022.

But if you want to start the year in a way that you want to continue into the future, there’s still time to change that mindset and find happiness in the coming months.

It only takes a few weeks to let go of thoughts like the world is ending and replace them with positive ones.

Sophie Cliff, aka The Joyful Coach, told The Independent that decades of research in the field of positive psychology has shown that having a positive mindset can improve our physical health. Emotional, physical and mental exhaustion can be avoided, job success can be increased and even years can be added to our lives.

After a decade working in sales and marketing at companies such as Walt Disney and Hallmark Cards, Cliff decided to retrain in the field of positive psychology three years ago, and now, as a Joyful Coach, he helps people become more Helps to lead a ‘happy’ life.

She says: ‘I believe things can get better. Perhaps most importantly for our current environment, having a positive mindset can improve resilience and ‘bounce back ability’, which means we cope better with stress and life’s challenges. can.’

So what does it mean to be a positive person? Although some of us believe that we are naturally negative or positive thinkers, Cliff says that optimism and pessimism are not defining personality traits.

She explains: ‘We all have this capacity if we want to be more optimistic. An exercise I like to do with my coaching clients is to ask them to look at a given situation both pessimistically and optimistically and consider what makes them feel better or more. Lead to positive results. Often a lens of optimism helps them see the bright side.’

People who are more optimistic can also do wonders for their mental and physical health. A 2005 paper published in Psychological Bulletin reviewed studies of more than 275,000 people and found that people with a happy mindset were less likely to smoke.

A separate study from King’s College London in 2016 found that positive thinking, particularly visualization and positive self-talk, can reduce negative thoughts and feelings of anxiety.

How can we make our pessimistic mind optimistic?

Since the epidemic hit the UK nearly two years ago, it has felt as though many things are out of our control, which is why Cliff advises we should focus on what we do have. ,, instead of what we can’t do.

Cliff says that in the past few years we’ve seen that there’s a lot of uncertainty that can make us feel overwhelmed or down, but focusing on what we can control and the situations we face in life can help us. Making the most of what we also face gives us some sense of autonomy.

‘I’ve seen my clients do this, including finding adventures in their homes, learning to cook new types of food or making work from home more comfortable.’

Another piece of advice Cliff gives her clients is to give themselves some credit for what they’re doing and what they’re getting, no matter the circumstances.

She says: ‘I always encourage my clients to write a ‘to-do list’ at the end of the week – it sounds easy, but taking five minutes to write down everything we’ve achieved is much more rewarding than taking five minutes to write down everything we’ve achieved. It can help develop a positive mindset and build confidence.’

While this epidemic is our biggest collective problem, and it’s easy for even the smallest of everyday things to get in the way of our optimistic mindset, that’s why Cliff recommends using something to combat it. This is called ‘cognitive reframing’. This is a technique often used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

“The point is to take a situation or experience that’s troubling us and try to see it through a more positive and grateful lens, so instead of saying, ‘I have to work from home,’” Cliff explains. You can call it ‘I’m getting to work from home’, which automatically makes it feel more inviting.’

‘I used it last year when a burst pipe flooded my garden. Instead of going through the hassle of contacting the website TradesPeople and repair people, I try to remember how desperate I was for my own garden a few years ago and how lucky I am. That was the biggest problem I had to deal with.’

While changing our situation doesn’t necessarily change current circumstances or their outcomes, they help us stay positive and even build resilience. Which means we can react more quickly when other challenges arise.

What are some habits or tips for finding happiness and staying positive?

During the coronavirus pandemic many of us have gotten into the habit of overusing media and focusing on negative news, but it’s good to be aware of the content and media we’re consuming.

Instead of spending hours on your phone or deciding what to watch next on Netflix, Cliff recommends listening to motivational podcasts, reading books with happy endings, and practicing contentment.

“Perhaps the most effective habit for creating a positive outlook is to regularly practice contentment,” she explains. It may sound a little silly, but research has shown that contented people are the happiest. You can make a list each evening of the things you are grateful for that day, or practice saying a heartfelt thank you to someone who has helped you. Even taking a few seconds to be grateful for the present moment can make a difference.’

If you’re feeling depressed and want to find happiness, Cliff’s ‘best’ advice is to spend days and weeks focusing on what feels good and what doesn’t.

‘It sounds simple,’ says Cliff, ‘but often we’re so busy racing through life or trying to keep up with our peers that we don’t really know what makes us happy, or what we want from those things. Ignore the symptoms that tell us about the disorder. By simply doing what makes us happy without trying to improve everything, we can fill our lives with joy.’

‘I would also invite readers to challenge themselves one day a week to do something that brings joy. This task can be small. A ten-minute walk in the sun or giving yourself your favorite chocolate, but happiness will help them see how powerful those positive emotions can be.’