How to Have a Happier and Healthier 2023

Would you like this year to be different from 2022? Do you feel you're not getting the happiness and enjoyment you want to experience?

If you do, that's OK. You are not alone. Studies show that "How can I be happy?" is one of the most popular questions on the Google Search Engine, garnering about 1.5 billion hits. This tells us that happiness is something many people are actively searching for — but struggling to find.

What Is Happiness, Really?

Happiness is not a destination you arrive at after achieving a goal, acquiring a possession, or resolving a problem. Research in positive psychology consistently shows that happiness is a practice — a set of daily choices and habits that cultivate wellbeing over time, regardless of circumstances.

Martin Seligman, the founder of positive psychology, identifies five elements that contribute to genuine wellbeing: positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement. These elements are not things that happen to you — they are things you cultivate through intentional choice and behaviour.

Practical Steps Toward a Happier Year

Invest in your relationships. Research from Harvard's Study of Adult Development — one of the longest-running studies on human flourishing — found that close relationships are the single greatest predictor of happiness and health over a lifetime. Prioritise the people who matter most to you.

Practise gratitude deliberately. Studies show that people who regularly identify what they are grateful for experience measurably higher levels of wellbeing. This is not about toxic positivity — it is about training your attention toward what is working alongside what is not.

Find meaning in your work. People who connect their daily tasks to a larger purpose experience significantly higher levels of satisfaction. Ask yourself: why does my work matter? Who does it serve? How does it connect to something I care about?

Move your body regularly. The connection between physical movement and emotional wellbeing is well established. Regular exercise reduces anxiety, improves mood, and builds resilience. It does not need to be intense — consistent is what matters.

Limit comparison and social media. Research consistently links heavy social media use with lower wellbeing, particularly when it involves comparison. Be intentional about how much time you spend comparing your life to the curated highlights of others.

We Are Here To Help

At People Builders, we help individuals and teams build the emotional and relational capabilities that underpin genuine wellbeing. Contact us today for a quick chat.