Be Happier At Home
While a new year tends to bring a lot of resolutions to the forefront of people’s minds, typically being “happier” is not one of the top resolutions people tend to make. However, a 2013 study showed that happy people tend to earn more money that those who are grumpy. If being happy could also equate to more money in the long run, who wouldn’t want to try out ways to be happier? Weston Dean Custom Homes, a premier
New Braunfels custom builder, shares tips on proven ways to be happier at home.
The first step to becoming happier at home is to introduce a social ritual. Family and friends are the two biggest sources of human happiness, so if you plan an activity you can do with people in your life on a regular basis- it can lead to a happier life. Examples of these type of activities can range from cooking a new recipe for dinner every Sunday to building an elaborate at-home fort with your kids every Friday night. Once you get a ritual in place, you’ll begin to look forward to it. People can increase their endorphin levels by as much as 27 percent just by thinking about doing something they enjoy, and if you love your new tradition you can boost that number even higher!
Next, try introducing radio silence and hour before bed. Smartphones are great, but can cause stress when you’re trying to wind-down for the night. Try reading a book or chatting with a family member before bed. This will help you relax, and once again, feel happy. Avoiding electronics all together is a proven way to help you sleep better.
The third tip is to wake up 30 minutes earlier than you need too. Reducing stress is a major factor in becoming happier at home, and not worrying about running out the door in a rush can leave you much less stressed and relax in the mornings before work.
Another tip is to determine what your favorite smell is, and then fill your room with it. Ambient smells can have a big effect on our behavior. You can try baking vanilla in the oven if you like a baked smell, peppermint is a great scent for boosting your mood and lavender and coffee beans can reduce stress levels as well. Try different scents out and see which one you react to the best!
Lastly, do random favors for those you live with. It has been proven that spending money on others gives more satisfaction to people than spending money on themselves. It doesn’t come down to money, you can do kind gestures for those you live with that will have just as big of an impact on your mood (and theirs) and leave you all happier in the end. If you live alone, don’t forget your friends or neighbors who would love something nice from you!
These simple tips can easily lead to a happier home and happier self in the long run!
Weston Dean Homes is a San Antonio area custom home builder. For more information call (210) 408-9107. 
