How to be a Better Person and be Happy: 6 Proven Ways

Are you stuck in the rat race? And the never-ending quest for success, status, and all that seems to eat you up. What if you discover a simpler way to lead a fulfilling life?

You’ll live your dream life every day, right?

Great. But the interesting thing is that you only need to learn how to be a better person and be happy.

Yes, that’s true! Being kind, empathetic, and having strong values while positively impacting those around us is the key to a happy and fulfilling life.

While that sounds too good to be true, research backs it up. Studies show that people focusing on character development are more likely to feel satisfied with their lives.

So, let’s dive in, so you can discover how to become a better person and be happy.

Read on! Because through this blog post, you can cultivate the traits that make your life worth living!

Proven Ways To Become A Better Person And Be Happy

1. Practice Empathy

Imagine you’re having a tough day and feeling down in the dumps. And all of a sudden, someone comes along and listens to your struggles, offering words of comfort and understanding.

While that will make you feel better, that’s empathy in action.

Of course, empathy is the ability to step outside of ourselves and truly connect with others. It’s a key trait you need to become a better person and live a happier life.

Also, by learning to put ourselves in other people’s shoes, we can create stronger bonds with them. Above all, we reduce conflicts, and build more supportive communities.

Think of how volunteers at a local homeless shelter show empathy by treating those in need with kindness and respect. You’ll agree that their empathy helps to create a sense of belonging and hope for those who may have lost it.

But beyond that, they’re happier and more fulfilled. Likewise, you can feel the same too. I mean, who want to be happy and become a better person?

Tips for Practicing Empathy

Below are practical tips to help you become more empathetic even in your dealing or relationships with others:

• Actively listen and empathize with other people’s perspectives.
• Try to empathize with them and put yourself in their position to understand their feelings.
• Avoid making judgments or assumptions about their experiences.
• Use open-ended questions to prompt them to share more
• Show your concern and validate their emotions.
• Avoid interrupting or dismissing their feelings
• Practice nonverbal communication, such as eye contact and nodding.

2. Be Grateful

Have you ever stopped to appreciate the good things in your life? That’s what gratitude is all about – recognizing the blessings and joys around you. And did you know that practicing gratitude can make you happy all the time?

Studies have shown that focusing on what we have instead of what we lack can lead to greater contentment and fulfillment.

For example, imagine someone who has lost his job and is struggling to make ends meet. Instead of dwelling on his difficulties, he chooses to be thankful for the support of his loved ones, his health, and the simple pleasures in life.

By practicing gratitude, they find happiness and positivity in even the toughest situations. It’s a powerful tool for improving your outlook and well-being!

Tips for Cultivating Gratitude

• Maintain a gratitude journal to document things you appreciate or are grateful for.
• Divide some time every day to contemplate the favorable aspects of your life.
• Express gratitude to others by saying “thank you” and showing appreciation.
• Don’t spend the whole day thinking about what you lack; instead, focus on what you have. That way, you can be happy no matter what.
• Practice mindfulness and savor the good moments in life.
• Use challenging situations as an opportunity to find gratitude.
• Surround yourself with positive, grateful people.

3. Practice Self-Care

Aside from the two points we’ve looked at above, one way to become a better person and find happiness is by practicing self-care.

And it simply means intentionally taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health in various ways. These include getting enough sleep and exercise or engaging in hobbies and therapy.

Beyond question, self-care is super important. When you neglect it, you may cause you to experience stress, anxiety, and burnout.

For instance, imagine feeling swamped with work and personal responsibilities. You’ll agree that you’re more likely to experience fatigue and burnout, which can translate to low productivity in the long run.

But by taking a breather to do something calming, like yoga or reading, you can better manage stress and keep a positive mindset. So it’s okay to take care of yourself – you deserve it.

Tips for Practicing Self-care

That said, you may still not know how to practice self-care. But below are some practical ways to help you treat yourself with love and care:

• Ensure you get enough sleep and adhere to a regular sleep routine.
• Exercise regularly and engage in physical activity that you enjoy.
• Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated.
• Set boundaries and say “no” to commitments that don’t align with your needs.
• Incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine (as a way) to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as hobbies or self-care routines
• If necessary, book an appointment with a therapist or mental health specialist for help and support.

4. Give Back to the Community

Many are indeed searching for ways to become better people and find happiness. Interestingly, giving back to their community is one of the sure ways to achieve that.

In plain language, giving back to your community is contributing your time, resources, or skills to support and improve the lives of others.

Of course, it’s a win-win situation. That’s because while you make a positive impact on others, you also reap benefits like a greater sense of purpose, increased happiness, and improved social connections.

For instance, you could volunteer at a local soup kitchen or donate to a charity that aligns with your values. Though it may appear as a small gesture, it can make a big difference in someone else’s life. On top of that, it also brings joy and fulfillment to your life. So what’s holding you back from giving back and spreading some love?

Tips for Giving back to the Community

According to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is at the top, which reflects a place of self-fulfillment. Interestingly, giving back to your community is a way to fulfill that need.

Below are practical tips you adopt to give back to your community:

• Engaging your time and skills in a good cause, such as volunteering
• Donate money or resources to a charitable organization.
• Take part in community events or initiatives.
• Support small, local businesses and nonprofits.
• Share your knowledge and expertise with others through mentorship or teaching
• Practice kindness and compassion in your daily interactions with others.
• Encourage others to get involved in giving back to the community.

5. Nurture Relationships

Sociologists believe that man is a social being. With that in mind, you must know this:

Developing meaningful relationships with others is crucial for your happiness and personal growth. 

That’s why when we invest time and effort into building strong connections with friends, family, and partners, we reap many benefits. These benefits include:

• feeling loved and supported,
• heightened sense of belonging, and
• experiencing greater fulfillment in life.

For instance, you may focus on nurturing relationships. And to do that, you can pay optimal attention to the following:

• regularly engaging in activities with loved ones,
• Practicing active listening to their concerns,
• expressing gratitude, and
• showing support during tough times.

So, when you focus on building positive relationships you can create a network of people who uplift you. Not only that, they help you become the best version of yourself.

Tips for Building and Nurturing Relationships

That said, for you to create and maintain healthy relationships with others in your world, here are some helpful tips you can use:

• Make time for regular quality interactions
• Practice active listening and effective communication.
• Show appreciation and support.
• Be present and attentive in the moment.
• Focus on building new relationships.
• Forgive and let go of grudges.
• Be honest and authentic in your interactions.
• Show empathy and understanding towards others.

6. Continuous learning and Growing

Being deliberate about growing and learning is crucial for becoming a better person and finding happiness in life.

That’s true. But it involves learning new skills, exploring new experiences, and gaining new perspectives.

And often, when you invest yourself in personal growth, you build your confidence and expand your social network. Also, it allows you to find new opportunities to enrich your life.

But to experience that, you would have to pay attention to the following:

• attending workshops,
• enrolling in classes,
• reading books, or
• engaging in other activities that challenge you to grow and improve.

That said, as you continue learning and growing, you can achieve personal and professional success. And so you can achieve a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

Tips for Continuous Learning and Growth

While continuous learning is great, you’re often the one who would push yourself to do so. Although it can be quite daunting, here are some practical tips for you to use:

• Read books on personal development and professional growth
• Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences related to your interests.
• Take online courses or enroll in classes at a local college or community center.
• Seek out mentors and ask for feedback to improve your skills.
• Try new activities or hobbies to challenge yourself and expand your horizons.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a better person and being happy is achievable through simple yet effective practices. The tips covered in this post include:

• practicing self-care
• expressing gratitude,
• giving back to the community,
• nurturing relationships, and
• Focus on continuous learning and growing.

By implementing these practices, you can improve your well-being and find greater fulfillment in your life. So, to become a better person and be happy, start practicing these tips today.

Remember that small steps can lead to big changes, and every effort counts towards creating a better version of ourselves.