Free Ways to Be Happy

As a student, I often have to be creative when it comes to finding ways to have fun without breaking the bank. I’ve found that there are many things you can do for free to boost your mood!

By incorporating some of these into my daily routine, my base level of happiness increases. By increasing your base level of happiness, you can avoid the hedonic treadmill while still being happy every day 🙂

However, happiness doesn’t just come in one flavour. There are many different types of happiness you can experience, and I’ve roughly split them into 6 different categories. Let me know in the comments if you can come up with any more ideas!

Peaceful

sunset — A street I walk down every day, but I had never seen it in this light.

Going for a leisurely stroll
- Whether you’re in a town or the countryside, the trick is in noticing the details
- Be a tourist in your own town – appreciate it as though looking at it through new eyes. Take your camera with you – it will help capture new angles you didn’t notice before
- Enjoy the countryside as though you’ve been set free – cameras also help here
Admiring the sunset/sunrise
Meditating – or just focussing on counting breaths slowly for 5 minutes. Here is a good guided meditation.
Looking out of the window on a rainy day
Listening to the wind and rain at night
Writing 3 things you are grateful for
Massaging your own hands or feet
Stretching
Sleeping more

Connected

hammersmith-bridge — So many people came out to see the Boat Race in London – Hammersmith Bridge

Hand-writing a letter to someone to tell them the impact they’ve had in your life – this old-fashioned way of expressing gratitude really speaks to people and doesn’t have to take long
Reaching out to someone you haven’t spoken to for 6 months
Doing a random act of kindness
Calling your parents/guardians/siblings/loved ones
Complimenting your partner (and genuinely meaning it)
Visiting a local free event
Volunteering

Growth

music-filing — There are many ways to learn skills for free

Reading a book
Practising or learning a skill
Creating some art
Writing/journaling
Shopping your own closet/wardrobe (i.e. creating or preparing new outfits with your existing clothes)

Pumped/Naturally High

grass-trainers — Looking for a quick mood-booster? Go for a walk.

Exercising
Having sex (lol)
Hugging someone
Finishing off a difficult or long task and feeling accomplished
Planning something, whether that’s a potluck/movie night in/board game night with friends or just having something fun to look forward to
Dancing madly to your favourite song