12 Habits Of Exceptionally Happy People
Happiness is a coveted state of mind that we all strive for, but what exactly sets exceptionally happy people apart from the rest? In this blog post, we unveil 12 common habits of these joyful individuals so you can learn from their mindset and apply it to your own life.
From practicing gratitude to maintaining strong relationships and prioritizing self-care routines, these tried-and-true habits have been proven by happiness research to elevate our overall wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
- Practicing gratitude and positive thinking are crucial habits of exceptionally happy people.
- Engaging in regular physical activity, cultivating meaningful relationships, and pursuing passions also contribute to overall happiness.
- Giving back to the community and taking responsibility for our own happiness through self-care, continual learning and growth, finding purpose in life, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are additional habits that can elevate our well-being.
The 12 Habits Of Exceptionally Happy People
Let’s dive into the 12 habits of exceptionally happy people, which include gratitude, positive thinking, mindfulness, physical activity, connection with others, the pursuit of passion, giving back to the community, self-care, continual learning and growth, finding purpose, work-life balance and taking responsibility for their own happiness.
Gratitude
Embracing an attitude of gratitude is a transformative habit that exceptionally happy people practice daily. By actively focusing on the things they’re thankful for, such as their family, friends, career, or even small moments of joy and contentment in everyday life, these individuals develop a more positive mindset.

One way you can cultivate gratitude is by keeping a daily journal to reflect upon and express thankfulness for the best parts of your day. As you write down these moments of appreciation, you’ll be able to savor those memories while also rewiring your brain to be more optimistic over time.
In addition to journaling, sharing your gratitude with others through acts of kindness or simple words of affirmation can further enhance this feeling and create genuine connections with those around you.
Embracing an attitude of gratitude is a transformative habit that exceptionally happy people practice daily.
Positive Thinking
One of the most powerful habits shared by exceptionally happy people is embracing positive thinking. By focusing on the bright side, we can rewire our brains to be more optimistic and resilient, which ultimately leads to greater happiness in our lives.
For example, imagine you’re faced with a setback at work. Rather than dwelling on your disappointment and allowing negativity to consume your thoughts, try shifting your focus towards what you can learn from this experience and how it might help you grow as a professional.
Studies have shown that individuals who practice gratitude regularly tend to be happier overall because they acknowledge their blessings and appreciate the good things in their lives.
By cultivating an attitude of appreciation for both the big and small moments – like receiving kind words from a friend or enjoying a beautiful sunset – we build resilience against negative emotions while boosting our mental well-being.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a crucial habit among the 12 habits of exceptionally happy people, and it plays an essential role in joyful living. By staying present in the moment and focusing on our senses, emotions, and thoughts without judgment, we can better understand ourselves and react calmly to any situation.
One way to cultivate mindfulness is through the regular practice of mindful meditation – allowing your mind to focus on your breath or a specific word while letting go of distractions that may arise.
You might also try incorporating other methods such as gratitude practice or forgiveness therapy into your daily routine. These exercises not only help you build resilience but also enhance emotional intelligence and foster self-compassion.
Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is a vitally important habit for exceptionally happy people. Engaging in physical exercise, whether it’s going for a run, lifting weights or taking part in group fitness classes, provides numerous benefits that contribute to emotional wellbeing and positive psychology.
Exercise releases endorphins, chemicals within the brain that produce feelings of pleasure and euphoria.
In addition to emotional benefits, regular physical activity is associated with cardiovascular health improvement, increased functional capacity, and decreased risks of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes.
Connection With Others
Making time for connecting with others is a crucial component of happiness. Exceptionally happy people prioritize meaningful relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
They understand that fostering such connections requires effort and nurturing. Humans are social creatures by nature, and research shows that positive social interactions provide emotional support and foster overall well-being.
For example, one common habit of happiness experts is spending regular quality time with loved ones outside the home engaging in social activities like hiking clubs or volunteer schemes.
Building strong connections help develop a sense of community where individuals feel seen, heard and valued; this provides lifelong happiness benefits.
Pursuit Of Passion
When it comes to the 12 habits of exceptionally happy people, pursuing your passion is one that stands out. Passionate individuals are often more fulfilled and lead a more meaningful life because they have found something that truly ignites their soul.
Passion can be anything from hobbies such as painting or hiking to career aspirations like starting your own business or becoming a doctor. When you pursue your passion, there is a sense of purpose and fulfillment that cannot be replicated by any other means.
It allows for personal growth and development on many levels; you learn new skills, face challenges head-on, and gain confidence with every step forward.
Giving Back To The Community
One of the 12 habits of exceptionally happy people is giving back to the community. When you give back, you not only make a positive impact on others but also experience a sense of fulfillment and purpose.
Research has shown that acts of kindness trigger the release of feel-good hormones in our brains. This means that when we give back to our communities, we are actually benefiting ourselves as well as those around us.
Examples include volunteering at a local shelter or food bank, donating time or money to a favorite charity, or even just helping out a neighbor in need.
One of the 12 habits of exceptionally happy people is giving back to the community.
Self-care
One of the 12 habits of exceptionally happy people is self-care. Taking care of oneself is crucial for achieving happiness and maintaining a positive mindset. This can involve activities such as getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, pampering oneself with a spa day or massage, or taking time to relax and unwind.
Incorporating these habits into our daily routines may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s vital to remember that small changes can make significant differences in our lives.
For example, instead of scrolling through social media before bed, try reading a book or practicing meditation to relax your mind for better sleep quality.
Continual Learning And Growth
One of the key habits of exceptionally happy people is their commitment to continual learning and growth. They understand that life is a journey, and they’re committed to learning something new every day.
Whether it’s reading books, attending workshops or seminars, taking online courses, or even just watching educational YouTube videos, happy people are always looking for ways to grow and improve themselves.
By doing so, they gain new perspectives on life and develop the resilience needed to overcome challenges. In addition, continually learning helps them set goals for themselves in terms of personal growth which makes them feel accomplished when achieved thereby boosting their happiness levels.
Finding Purpose
One of the habits that exceptionally happy people possess is finding purpose in their lives. Knowing what drives you and gives your life meaning can lead to a more fulfilling existence.
It’s about identifying what makes you feel alive, what brings joy into your days, and what aligns with your values.
For instance, if you’re passionate about educating others and making an impact on society through education, volunteering for local schools or starting an online learning platform may give you a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
When we find our purpose in life, we focus less on external factors like money and material possessions and more on living authentically.
Work-Life Balance
One of the key habits of exceptionally happy people is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This means prioritizing time for both work and personal life, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout.
Additionally, selective delegation and time management can help you avoid overcommitting in your professional life. On the other hand, engaging in activities that bring joy outside of work such as hobbies or spending quality time with loved ones also contribute to overall happiness.
Taking Responsibility For Their Own Happiness
When we think of happiness, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that external factors play the most significant role in determining our level of contentment. However, happy people know better – they understand that their own mindset and behavior are key determinants of their happiness.
By taking ownership of our emotions, we can start to cultivate a positive mindset and make intentional choices that lead to greater joy and fulfillment in life. This means recognizing negative thought patterns, practicing gratitude and mindfulness, engaging in self-care activities, and seeking out meaningful connections with others.
FAQs:
1. What are some of the common habits that exceptionally happy people have?
Exceptionally happy people tend to have habits such as practicing gratitude, staying present in the moment, being physically active, cultivating supportive relationships, and pursuing meaningful goals.

2. How can practicing gratitude contribute to happiness?
Practicing gratitude involves deliberately focusing on the things in your life that you’re thankful for. This can help shift your perspective towards positivity and appreciation, which can lead to increased happiness over time.
3. Is it possible for anyone to become an exceptionally happy person?
While genetics may play a role in our overall disposition and emotional regulation tendencies, research suggests that it is also possible to cultivate happiness through intentional effort and the practice of positive habits.
4. Can making small changes in daily routines really make a difference in overall happiness levels?
Yes! Incorporating small changes into daily routines – such as taking a few minutes each day to meditate or reflect on what you’re grateful for – has been shown to positively impact overall well-being and increase feelings of contentment and fulfillment over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the habits of exceptionally happy people can provide valuable insight into how we can improve our own well-being. From practicing gratitude and mindfulness to prioritizing relationships and self-care, there are many habits that we can adopt to live a happier life.
By taking responsibility for our own happiness and focusing on personal growth, we too can experience joy, fulfillment, and purposeful living.
I wish you the best! Fabian.
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