We often use happiness and satisfaction interchangeably when evaluating our lives. But the truth is that there is a profound difference between being “happy” and being “satisfied” with your life. Happiness is an emotion that we feel in the moment. It usually happens when we experience something good externally. For example, things are going well on the job, our love life is fantastic, or our bank account is on point. Being satisfied with your life is a more profound concept. It is the positive emotions we feel when we think about the bigger picture of our life. The joy we feel when we think about our future and where we are going. It is a broader evaluation of our overall life, our sense of purpose, and our well-being.
Even happy people sometimes wonder if their lives are genuinely satisfactory. During these moments, you might notice that your life is not always as purposeful as you had hoped.
Or perhaps you realize that you are dissatisfied with your life. It’s not that you don’t value the life you have. You might have an inward nagging feeling that there must be more to life. There must be something out there that would give your life more meaning.
Here are some secrets for living a more satisfying life. Some focus more on the outside world, while others focus on self-improvement.
7 Powerful Ways to Increase Your Life Satisfaction
- Take a Time Out Periodically and Assess Where You Are Right Now
This is a great place to start. It might seem obvious to many. However, so many people skip this first step. To improve your life, you must first painfully assess where you are in whatever area you are trying to change. What aspect of your life would you like to redesign to make it more fulfilling? Is it your relationships, your finances, your career, your health, and your overall well-being? This process is very eye-opening and can be very fun and fulfilling in and of itself. Why? Because so many people just run on autopilot without ever taking the time to check in with themselves and assess their feelings about their lives.
- Assess Your Physical and Mental Health
Start by assessing your physical and mental health. How do you feel? When was the last time you had a physical, went to the dentist, or spoke with a therapist? You can not afford to overlook your health when aspiring to a more satisfying life—no amount of money matters when you are too unwell to spend it. Better physical and mental health can be your ticket to leveling up in every other aspect of your life. If you don’t know where to start, start by examining where you are using these seven pillars of lifestyle medicine:
- Diet and Nutrition
- Exercise or Movement
- Sleep
- Managing Substance Use (reducing, minimizing, or eliminating it)
- Stress Reduction Management
- Relationships
- Meaning and Purpose
3. Work on YourSelf-Esteemm
Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It’s based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can feel challenging to change. We also think of this as self-confidence. Your self-esteem can affect whether you like and value yourself. Whether you have high self-esteem, low self-esteem, or somewhere in the middle, you can improve it. Although I go into detail here, in this article, working with a good therapist can help you quickly discover what is holding you back and how to strengthen your self-esteem.
4. Tap Into The Power Of Community
Never overlook the influence of friends and family. You can depend on these folks to be by your side at all times, through ups and downs, in joyful and sad times. If nurtured, these connections provide us actual satisfaction in our lives.
A supportive community is a known driver of life satisfaction. Many studies show that having a sense of belonging can reduce loneliness, depression, and anxiety. The concept of community and life satisfaction is as ancient as time. Humans have always felt solace in the presence of other people. Maybe you don’t have a strong network of friends and family. If this is true, you can create it.
5. Find Purpose In Your Work
The job you select may become a part of your personality and influence how you feel about yourself. Working in a profession you see as useless and aimless may be physically and emotionally taxing, regardless of your salary or position. While changing jobs may not be practical, you may still find purpose by participating in other enjoyable activities, such as volunteerism, side hustles, or hobbies. These activities give your work more purpose and satisfaction.
6. Exercise Gratitude
According to research, there is a “strong relationship” between thankfulness and well-being. The simple act of gratitude can help fight negative emotions and create more positive feelings, leading to more life satisfaction.
7. Add Some Everyday Excitement To Your Life
Life is designed to be one big adventure, so get out there and explore. Dare to say yes to things you’ve always talked yourself out of. Take up a new hobby, such as ballroom dancing or mountain climbing.
Just keep in mind that satisfaction is not a goal. It is the process of designing a life that provides you with joy, meaning, and contentment. You don’t have to wait to be fully satisfied; there are things you can do daily to feel better and more satisfied with your life.
Final Thoughts
Life satisfaction encompasses how you perceive your life as a whole. Do you see your life as meaningful, rich, complete, and high-quality? Life satisfaction goes beyond the fleeting feelings of happiness; it assesses the quality of your overall life. Many people go through the daily grind of life and never ask themselves the hard questions that could uncover a more incredible, purposeful journey. The good news is that you can influence the outcomes of your life satisfaction. Take the time to assess where you are and where you want to be. Decide to build stronger relationships, improve your mental or physical health, and find more meaning in your work. There are many ways to accomplish more life satisfaction.
You’ve got this!
Be well + prosper,
Elaine xx
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