With the rapid advancement of technology and the increasing complexity of human needs, people are caught up in a never-ending chase for materialistic things. The more we fulfill our desires, new and more complicated desires arise, and we work even harder to fulfill them. The busier we get, the lesser the time we have for ourselves, and it makes us unhappy and stressed.
So, what would really make us happy? The answer is simple. A simple life is what will make us happier. This claim is backed by researchers as well.
Here are six reasons why simplifying your life will make you happier.
#1 More Time To Get To Know Yourself
Every time you watch a movie, go shopping and buy expensive stuff, scroll through pages and pages of social media, you might feel relaxed. But that relaxation you get is extremely short-lived. That is because your mind doesn’t get any rest as you’re distracted about what will happen next in the movie or whether you can afford to buy this and that.
If you can free yourself from such distractions, you have more time to reflect on yourself. You’ll eventually shift your life to find inner peace and simplicity, and you’ll be happier in no time regardless of your financial status.
#2 Strengthen Relationships
In the modern world, we are too busy at work, studying for exams, looking after children, cleaning the house, etc. Everyone is distracted all the time that they don’t have enough time to spend with their loved ones. Simplifying life will indeed save your time which you can invest in your relationships. After all, no man can live alone in this huge world.
Also, maintaining healthy relationships will greatly improve your mental health.
#3 Save Money
Simplifying life means cutting down unnecessary expenses which will subsequently save you money. The extra money you have can be donated for charity, or invested in businesses.
#4 Better Health
Focusing less on material possessions and focusing more on your family and relationships will immensely improve your mental health. A survey done by the University of Sciences in Pennsylvania showed that 90% of the people who adapted to a simple lifestyle and prioritized happiness in life, had greatly improved their health.
Complex lifestyles fuel various unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking and thereby deteriorate one’s health. So, not only does it improve our mental health, it has a huge impact on our physical well-being as well. Health is the greatest wealth, after all.
#5 Fewer Distractions, More Focus
Research has shown that an average person checks his/her phone every 12 minutes. Many say that phones and social media are great distractors. But aren’t we the ones who buy one and allows ourselves to get distracted? If we utilize technology wisely, it wouldn’t be so distracting but rather a blessing that makes our lives much easier.
So, the next time you sit down to study or read a book, make sure to turn off your phone. If you can spend the day without your phone, it means that you have simplified your life to a certain extent.
#6 Help The Environment
With busy lifestyles, people don’t have much time to interact with the environment. Simplifying your life will buy you the time for that. It is well known that spending time with nature reduces stress and brings more happiness.
Also, cutting down consumption levels will contribute to less environmental pollution. The famous Indian monk Paramahansa Yogananda, who has introduced millions to the teachings of meditation said: “Be as simple as you can be, you will be astonished to see how uncomplicated and happy your life can be.”
The complex nature of our lifestyles has hidden us from the reality of life. Thus, living simply will make us understand the world better as we have more time to reflect on things. So, master the art of living, rather than doing.
Reading, creative writing, poetry writing, and language learning have been my passions since I was young. I have won many Japanese and Chinese language competitions, and many national-level creative writing, art & oratory competitions too. I am still schooling, and passed my O/Levels with distinction passes for English Literature, Japanese, and English. I have also completed my Certificate of Human Resource Management.
