6 Surprising Reasons For Unhappiness (And How To Change Them)

Life is full of ups and downs, and unhappiness is a normal human emotion. But if we find ourselves in a constant state of unhappiness, it’s perfectly normal to question the reasons behind it.

Research seems to show that both happiness and unhappiness are often caused by patterns in our lives. These patterns include the things we do and think. Different patterns of behavior and thought lead to different emotional patterns, which affect how happy we feel from day to day.

The road to happiness can be long, and sometimes we have to make big changes in their lives to get there. In fact, we actually have to work at being happy every day by putting in place the right habits and then sticking to them. Read on to find out more on some aspects of life that may be causing a consistent unhappiness.

We Don’t Feel In Control

A big part of being happy is being in charge of our lives, or at least feeling like we are. This is why both kids and adults often try so hard to be independent, so they can feel like they can do what they want with their lives. When we don't feel in control, we’re likely to feel unhappy.

So how can we get more in control? By finding and recognizing the things we do have control over and figuring out the things we don't have control over yet but could if we worked at it. We find that we can do a lot more than we might have thought at first. One more extreme example, an older loved one might be in a difficult situation in a nursing home, making us feel helpless, but realizing you can start a nursing home abuse lawsuit can put us back in control. 

WE Don’t Do Things WE Love 

When we were young and carefree, did the idea of time seem silly? We could enjoy a game if we wanted to. We danced if we wanted to. And we were glad to do it. We didn't have to worry about getting a call from a client, dealing with an angry boss, or feeding a big family. But now, we’re a lot older, and, well, life has happened. But even though life as an adult can be busy, draining, and sometimes boring, we all still need to make time for hobbies.

As an adult, we should still make time to play and dance, have fun, and lean into the joy of it all.

We Don’t Go Outside Enough

There are several good reasons to get out of the house. For example, did you know that science has shown that spending time in nature makes people happier? Today, when so many people spend more time indoors, it's more important than ever to be aware of this fact. 

People who spend more time in nature say they are generally happier, and studies show that spending time outside improves cognitive functioning, boosts the immune system, and lowers stress and blood pressure. All of the things that help make people happier.

We Don’t Feel Grateful For What We Have 

Comparing our lives to someone else's can quickly make us feel like we’re not as good as the other person. When we think we’re not good enough, it can be hard to be thankful and happy. One of the best ways to get rid of this feeling is to write down all the things we have to be grateful for. Another thing we can do is help ourselves see how much we already have.

Once we start to be more grateful for what we have, we’ll be less unhappy about your situation, and once we start feeling happier, it will be even easier to see how much we have, both materially and on a more emotional level. 

WE Don’t Love ourselVES 

Don't be so busy that we forget about our mind and body. A healthy diet and regular exercise will not only make us healthier, but they will also make us look and feel better.

Take care of your mind as well. It's our most important asset and has a lot of possibilities. Read books, learn, and keep adding to what you know. These not only help us see and understand things better, but it will also make us happier by feeling connected to ideas and concepts, as well as more sure of ourselves in our knowledge.

 WE Don’t Get Enough Sleep 

Sleep is important for happiness in so many ways. Doctors say that we should sleep between seven and nine hours, and for good reason. When we don't get enough sleep, our brains can't work right, and our emotions can start to get out of control. Even though the science is complicated, the facts are clear: people who get enough sleep tend to feel happier.