Kindness Matters: Choosing happiness – how small actions can boost well-being

By What Matters to Hatters Coalition on December 10, 2025.

The Holiday Season brings joy for many, but for others it can create an unspoken pressure to “be merry.” That expectation can be difficult to navigate and may even dampen your happiness. The good news is that with intentional practice you can learn how to be happy, or at least happier, not just during the holidays but all year long.

Although genetics and life circumstances play a role in your level of happiness, you can take steps to increase your enjoyment of life. The idea that happiness can be a choice. It’s unrealistic to snap your fingers and decide to be happy. But if you bring consciousness, gratitude and even lightheartedness to your day, you’ll likely feel happier.

– What makes you happy – take time to reflect and find ways to boost your happiness. Think about:

– What might you be able to reconnect with that bring you joy, contentment or delight?

– How might you stay focused on the tasks at hand when life continues around you?

– What would it look like if you put yourself first instead of making everyone and everything else a priority?

– When was the last time you spent time immersed in nature?

It’s not as easy as flipping a switch, but your choices, thoughts and actions can influence your level of happiness.

Make a commitment to practice gratitude. Having a positive outlook in life can improve your mental well-being and health. Identify at least one thing each day that improves your life. When you find yourself thinking an ungrateful thought, try substituting it for a grateful one. Think about what you’re grateful for when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night.

Look for opportunities to appreciate the small pleasures of everyday life. Instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, focus on the positives in the present moment!

Commit to finding happiness in each day – use this list to get started:

– Make a list of activities you used to enjoy but have given up in recent years.

Choose one to reconnect with and dedicate at least two weeks to it. See if this activity makes you happier and consider making time for it again.

– Spend at least 10 minutes a day outside. Pay attention to the trees, grass, water, breeze or whatever else surrounds you.

– Consider things that have made you happy and unhappy in the past. Make a list and let it help guide your path to happiness.

Don’t postpone joy waiting for a day when your life is less busy or less stressful – start now!

The What Matters to Hatters Coalition is working to foster hope, resiliency and connection in our community and believe that our mental health benefits from feeling listened to.

We host monthly Sidewalk Talk events where we listen as equals to anyone about anything. We are not fixing because we don’t see people as broken. We listen with heart. And we always have referrals ready to share fabulous services in the community if someone needs mental health resources.

Please join us in this movement to foster genuine human connection on Dec. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital Atrium near the Gift Shop where we will be offering kindness through connection.

The Kindness Matters column is put together by members of the What Matters to Hatters Coalition

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