What It Takes To Be Happy

I don't think it's unfair to say that things are a little tense right now. No matter what, we could all use a little more good in our lives; as Hal David wrote and Burt Bacharach crooned, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of," and he was right both then and now. 

It's no wonder that writers, psychologists and others both expert and amateur are endlessly musing about what will bring us greater happiness these days. I suppose it's only fair if I contribute my two cents. Mind you, this is coming from the perspective of someone with a crippling anxiety disorder who has spent a lot of time hunting for that elusive stability. What I've found is not so different from what others have, at least at first, and though I can't promise you miracles, I do hope this helps someone out there find a bit of peace and joy.

One of the things that I've noticed as a recurring trend in blog posts and essays and studies about happiness is an acceptance of what one cannot control. This is, of course, much easier said than done, but I certainly believe that it's true. I have an issue with "over-empathizing," becoming too emotionally invested in the problems of those I've never met and who I cannot do a thing to help. It took some time for me to accept that these troubles were beyond my reach. 

In the school of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), there is the theory of "radical acceptance," making a conscious effort to accept and overcome unpleasant or difficult emotions resulting from life's twists and turns. It specifically refers to the idea of not only acceptance, but the absence of judgment regardless of circumstances. There's a lot more to the concept, but I wouldn't advocate it for everyone. Instead, here's some more general ideas:

• Getting good sleep: As the science on sleep continues to advance, we learn more and more that we should be getting a healthy amount of restful... well, rest! Yet it continues to be one of the most neglected aspects of health. In a 2024 Gallup poll, almost 40% of Americans reported not getting adequate sleep. 
• Mind control: No, we're not talking about a swinging pocket watch here; what I mean is the idea of being aware and in control of your thoughts and the lines they take through your mind. It's an abstract thing, but try and reflect daily on your thought patterns, especially around the times that you're feeling anxious or dealing directly with issues outside of your control. 
• Meditation: There's a certain cultural 'image' of meditation that really isn't that accurate to the experience of it. of course, what you get out depends on what you put in, but there are well-documented benefits to practicing meditation regularly. Lowering stress, improving focus and mental clarity and so, so much more can be accomplished with just ten minutes a day! 

Something else I wanted to mention, perhaps a bit more fitting for the blog of a food company, is the importance of a good diet. Cutting out junk food is more than just a maxim of those looking to lose weight; it's proven that such dietary changes can improve your mental health as well. This includes both the direct effects of the chemicals and other unpleasantries contained in many unhealthy foods and the increase in self-perception that comes with that. Thinking better of yourself is a fundamental aspect of positive mental health as well; it's a positive feedback cycle!

It would be easy for me to just sit here and say "buy Nakee" as a solution to the issue of unhealthy food, and though Nakee Butter is a great part of a balanced diet (and great fuel for life's adventures), there's a lot more to it than that. Here's a great guide going into what fits into a healthy diet and how to make it work.

Honestly, so much of what we've talked about in previous blogs also fits here. Happiness is not the result of a single, simple equation, but the cumulative effects of everything in our lives. We have to actively pursue it, not expect it to find us. From stress management to work-life balance, exercise and lemonading, there's so much you can do, both big and small, to find and create that happiness for yourself. Keep an eye out on this blog for more, and yes, try Nakee Butter if you're so inclined. You can get some through our store page here on our website, or through Amazon. This is Brendan, signing off for now; stay cool out there!