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12 Questions To Ask Yourself About Happiness
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AskMen Fitness Mental Health

12 Questions To Ask Yourself About Happiness

12 Questions To Ask Yourself About Happiness

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"It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness."
  - Thomas Jefferson

Although we all strive to be happy, few of us actually take stock and measure of our current levels of happiness. Some men are naturally prone to pessimism or negativity, and some are so preoccupied with their careers or their social lives that they don't ever stop to think about happiness and what it really means.

How do we know if we are happy? And if we aren't, how can we know what's required in order to be so?

It's great to aspire to happiness, but it's not a plausible goal unless it's a measurable one. You need to take the time to define what happiness means to you. It's a very subjective emotion, and it means different things to each of us. You may already be happy now, but not even realize it.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to gauge your levels of satisfaction, contentment and overall happiness.

questions to ask yourself

1- Are you happy to get up in the morning?

If you wake up feeling rested, you're sleeping well, so you're probably quite content with your life. If you routinely drag yourself out of bed after pressing the snooze button several times, and you still feel weighted down after a shower and a coffee, it's time to assess your stress levels. Career and personal pressures can adversely impact your enjoyment of life and affect your happiness.

2- Is your happiness conditional?

Is your happiness always contingent on something? Do you tell yourself, "I'll be happy... when I get in shape" or, "...when I get a promotion" or even, "...when I pay off my car"? It's great to look toward continued and increased happiness, but not at the expense of enjoying the present. Focus on the right now. Learn to recognize the things that you enjoy and their positive impact on your life today.

3- Does the thought of happiness make you nervous?

Some people are afraid of being happy because they equate happiness with resigning oneself to the status quo; they feel that once one is content, one no longer has any goals to aspire to. This is not the case. Even if you are happy at the moment, there is nothing to stop you from building upon this happiness. There's no reason why your contentment should restrict your ambitions.

4- Do you look forward to seeing your friends and family?

When social and family events seem more like obligations, something's holding you back from being happy. Your interpersonal relationships add a valuable dimension to your life. Get together with people whose company you enjoy. If they challenge you intellectually, make you laugh and accept you just the way you are, you'll feel happier.

5- Are you only happy when you buy something?

Tying your overall happiness to material goods is not healthy. Too many people associate happiness with a new car or a dream vacation. Be careful about thinking that such acquisitions bring contentment with them. Don't fall into that trap.

Keep away from idleness...
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