Simple living is a popular trend that’s hard to apply to real life. You may wonder how you can know that simplicity makes life happier. Here are five things that prove that simplicity in life does make you feel happier.
What is simplicity?
Simplicity is a lifestyle that strips away the non-essentials of your life. It removes or alters those things that cause you to feel stretched to the limit. A simple life allows you to focus on what’s important, like people, rather than projects. Simplicity says “no” to social pressures that emphasize how you should live according to the current popular trends. Of course, no one can suddenly lead a simple life. It takes time and conscious choices every day. It’s worth the journey. You won’t regret living a simpler life.
5 Things that prove that simplicity increases your happiness
Here are five excellent reasons to embrace the simpler things in life.
1 – Simplicity reduces your stress
Being overly busy and distracted takes the joy out of life. It makes you feel stressed and anxious. When you’re stressed, you may feel things like
- Fear
- Sadness
- Frustration
- Irritability
- Pressure
- Anger
You can’t maintain your life at this hectic pace without some repercussions. Studies show that long-term stress leads to health problems such as
- Digestive problems
- Headaches
- Sleep problems
- Asthma
- Mental illness
- Anxiety disorders
Choosing simplicity in your life helps you decide when to commit and when to say no to commitment. Your schedule doesn’t control you. You manage your schedule. Reducing stress also means taking care of your body and your mind. You can do this by adding these things into your life, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Exercising
- Yoga or mindfulness to relieve stress
- Finding hobbies
- Socializing to improve your mental well-being
Lowering your stress means you’ll feel happier and less anxious.
2 – Simplicity helps you feel grateful
Simplicity helps you look for the good in your life. It allows you to step back and be thankful even when everything isn’t perfect. Gratitude is strongly linked to happiness, according to a Harvard Medical School study. They found that gratitude helps people feel more positive, cherish good experiences, and deal better with adversity they encounter.
Gratitude is a Latin word that means “grace or gracious.” When you’re living life only with gratitude in your heart, you’ll feel grateful for the things you receive rather than assuming you are entitled. Entitled people aren’t happy people. They are demanding and fearful they’ll get overlooked. When you’re grateful, you’re able to connect to what is important to you, like family and friends. You’ll look upward and outward to the world around you. You’ll sense you’re part of something bigger than yourself.
3 – Simplicity helps you not to compare yourself
It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. When you look to others to tell you how to dress, what your home should look like, or what your kids should be like, you’ll feel anxious all the time. You will feel pressure to keep a pulse on what’s trending. Studies show that comparison is associated with depression and anxiety. When you live a life of simplicity, you have a revival of the soul, so to speak. You know what’s essential and what isn’t. You focus on things that make you happy rather than on what your favorite blogger, celebrities, or even your neighbors say should make you happy. Break free of the lies of comparison. You’re good the way you are.
4 – Simplicity helps you feel content and happy
Contentment is defined as a satisfying calm. It gives you a strong sense of freedom and warmheartedness. When you’re content, you feel satisfied with who you are and your situation in life. It doesn’t mean you’re not hard-working or interested in improving your life. But content people aren’t driven in an unhealthy way but do what they need to do peacefully. When you’re satisfied, you don’t care if what you’re doing is trendy or what society says you should do. You’re content and happy.
5 – Simplicity helps you enjoy small things
When you choose to live a simplistic lifestyle, you’ll enjoy life’s little moments in a completely new way. You want your family and friends because of who they are, not because of what they can do for you. You’ll feel free to enjoy a sunset or go for a walk in the rain because you want to savor each moment. Appreciating the small things in life slows down your life so that you’re looking for the little things that can bring you joy.
How can you live a simpler life?
Adding simplicity to your life is a lifelong struggle against the demands of life and culture. Life gets busy, and that’s okay. But if you feel driven and unhappy, then it may be time to live a simpler life. Here are some suggestions to help you.
1 – Slow down
Slowing down is easier than it sounds. Kids, work, errands, and other commitments fill your day to the brim. But you can choose to slow down, even amid a busy day. Perhaps you need to say “No” to that urge to join another committee at your kids’ school. Or maybe it would be best if you said “Yes” to a walk in the park instead of sitting at your desk at lunch. Try to make little daily choices towards a simpler life. Other suggestions include
- Go for a walk with your family every evening after dinner.
- Read a book to your kids every evening. Choose a classic book that the entire family can enjoy.
- Take that painting class you’ve been dreaming about for years.
- Soak in the bubble bath instead of checking the latest news.
2 – Find ways to declutter
When you hear about simplicity, you’ve probably heard about decluttering your life. One study found that when you hoard things, you will be prone to problems with your work, your health, and feelings of well-being. If you find it hard to let go of things, it could eventually lead to hoarding. Here are a few tips on how to declutter your life.
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How many clothes do you need?
Declutter your clothes every six months. Ask yourself if you wore an item of clothing in the last six months or most recent season. If not, it may be time to get rid of it, or at least shelve it. Set it aside, up high on a shelf. If you go for another six months and never think of it, it’s time to get rid of this clothing item. Donate it or sell it. If it’s in poor shape, throw it out. Don’t buy a new item of clothing unless you get rid of one. Look at your shoes. Holding on to old shoes for sentimental reasons or because you think you may wear them someday is never a good reason to keep them.
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House
Declutter your house every spring. It’s a great time to evaluate whether you’ve used an item at all in the past year. If not, donate it or if it’s in bad shape, recycle or throw it out.
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Simplicity is better for children, too!
Go through your kid’s toys every few months removing the broken ones. As your kids get older, they’ll lose interest in some toys. Donate these or throw them out if they’re broken. If your kids are old enough to understand, they may want to help you. It will teach them how to declutter their world.
3 – Turn off your smartphone, computer, or tablet
Breaking free from technology regularly has been found to add simplicity to your life. Being “on” all the time can lead to anxiety and stress. When you turn off your phone to read a book or play a game with your partner, you’re making a conscious choice to simplify your life.
4 – Volunteer
Helping others adds simplicity to your life. When you help someone else, you’ll find happiness and a sense of contributing to the world around you. There are so many organizations and charities that need you. You may have skills to help someone learn to speak English or read. Research your local area for places to volunteer. Here are just a few ideas on where you can volunteer.
- Elementary schools are always looking for mentors or tutors.
- Libraries
- Parks
- Animal shelters
- Food banks or soup kitchens
- Homeless shelters
- Disaster relief
- Exchange students
- Knitting blankets for permie babies at the hospital.
5 – Get outside
Spending time outside improves your sense of well-being and reduces your anxiety and depression. Try to find ways to get outside every day, whether it’s walking your dog, digging in your garden, or just walking around your neighborhood. Having regular exposure to the sun is a natural way to get vitamin D. There’s a link between low vitamin D and depression. It’s vital for your brain’s good health and your feelings of happiness. Get outside in nature every day for at least 20 minutes to get the most benefits.
Final thoughts on living a life of simplicity
Simplicity in life can make a difference in how you feel and the amount of happiness you have in life. It’s worth pursuing a simpler lifestyle. It can bring a revival to your heart, mind, and soul, which ultimately will help you enjoy life more and feel happier. Why not try some of these suggestions to live a simpler life?
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