What Are You Waiting For?

Now that the kids are grown, you're settled into your career or planning your retirement, are you still waiting to be happy? The secret to being happy varies from person to person and research has shown that we may be wired for happiness by our genetic makeup. But like everything else, we can stop pursuing happiness and be happy now, by putting forth some conscious effort to change the set point our genes have laid out for us.

The following are 5 strategies that contribute to increasing one's happiness quotient:

1. Focus on what gives you meaning and purpose. In other words, spend time doing what makes you feel good, like gardening, socializing, volunteering, painting, travelling etc. People, who are involved with life, tend to be happier, because the fulfillment they feel is based on enjoyment rather than responsibility. Especially now, when you are thinking about the next stage of your life, you want to do things that make you feel challenged, productive and useful.

2. Develop and nurture the relationships that are important to you. Spend more time with close friends and special relatives. Appreciate your time together because it relieves stress and gives you a sense of community and togetherness, so important as you get older. When you are around others, you become more generous, supportive, friendly and caring, which results in greater life satisfaction.

3. Show gratitude for your blessings and good fortune. Take a personal inventory of what you have in your life to appreciate all the many gifts and special rewards surrounding you. Gratitude elicits positive emotions, like joy and contentment and instills a sense of genuine thankfulness.

4. Surround yourself with items that give you pleasure. Decorate your home with things you love to look at. Treat yourself to things you love to wear. Read books that teach and inspire you to boost feelings of well-being and fulfillment.

5. Take life less seriously. Laugh at yourself. Laugh at your situation. Laugh at life's absurdities. Complaining, whining, and moping just bring more focus on what you don't want. Therefore, develop your sense of humor by enjoying the lighter side of life and you will inevitably attract more happiness into it.

Happiness is a journey that you create yourself and the benefits are priceless. When you're happy you increase your health and personal well-being. You're better able to cope with stressful or challenging situations and your level of overall satisfaction in life is raised. Joyful people have a greater life expectancy, a greater inner peace and create more successful long-term relationships. What are you waiting for? Be happy now!

About the author: Amy Sherman LMHC is the author of: Distress-Free Aging: A Boomer's Guide to Creating a Fulfilled and Purposeful Life and 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Dating After 40, 50 and Yes, 60!

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