Overcoming These 4 Hurdles Can Help You Achieve Ultimate Happiness

There’s always that one person in your friend circle who is generally happy, bubbly, and just a walking ray of sunshine.

Amid the chaos, petty fights, and irritation with each other, you noticed that this person is never one to be pessimistic. But what exactly is the meaning of happiness? Raise your hand if you have resorted to TED talks, self-help books, and pricey seminars just to search for ways to attain it.

Scientists have described a happy person as someone who has friends they can confide with, has a positive temperament, and the means to reach their goal.

According to the 2018 United Nations World Happiness Report, Americans scored their state of living at a very respectable 6.8 out of 10, not too far behind Finland, which was named the happiest nation in the word for the second year in a row. But why is happiness difficult to achieve for some but easier for others? That’s because there are obstacles along the way that we need to overcome, experts explained.

Social Media

From young to old, people from all generations and walks of life are hooked onto social media. We dare you to name at least five people in your social group who don’t have an account on either Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat. See? It’s that hard to identify them because nowadays, as the use of technology becomes more rampant.

While the digital age promotes easier information dissemination, we can’t downplay its cons: for one, it can be destructive to our mental health. A 2017 study in the Journal of Affective Disorder found that youngsters from age 18 to 22 who spend more time on social media are at a higher risk of experience symptoms of anxiety.

Social media is a boon and a bane

Social media addiction is a widespread problem and if you struggle with it, simply cutting the time you spend on your phone by 10 to 15 minutes can go a long way. Avoid using your phone at all before bedtime because the light it emits can affect the quality of your sleep.

Future

We always think that we will be happy if we had something we currently don’t, because just because the grass seems greener on the other side doesn’t mean that it actually is.

Institute for Applied Positive Research founder Michelle Gielan said that it is more important to focus on the present rather than worry about what lies ahead to let your brain focus on what is working right now. She also revealed that living in the moment can boost your energy levels and improve your focus and productivity.

Being Alone

You need to find quality peers that can help you with your problems

According to two studies, those amongst us who are the happiest often report more satisfying and fulfilling relationships than their unhappy counterparts. This means that isolating yourself or surrounding yourself with the wrong people can arguably add to the burden and make you even more unhappy.

Of course, this would vary from person to person but a few truthful and helpful peers are a surefire way to boost your mood. You can try to do this slowly by reaching out to others, starting a conversation or giving others optimistic remarks instead of dwelling on your worries.

Getting Stuck

An unfulfilling job means you’re in the wrong place

Are you experiencing burnout from your work, sticking to an abusive relationship, or just feeling a little stuck at your current state? Then you might be pursuing the wrong things in life.

According to a 2009 University of Rochester research, those who go for personal pleasures like money and fame are less happy than those who chase after meaningful things like personal growth, community, and relationships.

To beat this challenge, ask yourself what your purpose really is and analyze whether you’re feeding your intrinsic goals.