5 No-BS Strategies to Boost Your Happiness (and Your Relationship)

Are you tired of chasing happiness through endless achievements, only to feel unfulfilled? Do you find yourself in a relationship that’s lost its spark? If so, it’s time to change the game. In this post, we’re diving into five powerful strategies that will shift your approach to happiness and transform your relationship.

The Happiness-Achievement Trap

Many of us believe that happiness comes after we achieve enough—enough success, enough money, enough recognition. But here’s the truth: achievement alone doesn’t bring lasting happiness. Your brain adapts to success through a process called hedonic adaptation, making each new win feel less satisfying over time.

So, how do you break free from this cycle? You shift from chasing external success to creating deep, lasting fulfillment.

Strategy #1: Create, Don’t Just Achieve

Instead of treating life like a checklist, focus on building something meaningful. Dr. Gad Saad, an evolutionary psychologist, emphasizes that creativity is a core driver of happiness. Whether it’s developing new ideas, deepening relationships, or crafting something valuable, creation brings fulfillment.

Ask yourself: What can I create that truly matters? Think like an artist, not a trophy collector.

Strategy #2: Value Time Over Money

If happiness is the goal, then time—not money—is your most valuable resource. Here’s a simple but powerful exercise to shift your perspective:

• Draw a 10x10 grid (100 squares).

• Each square represents one year of a 100-year life.

• Shade in the years you’ve already lived.

• Mark off the last 10 years (for less active years).

What’s left? That’s your best years, visually laid out. Are you spending them wisely?

Strategy #3: Cut the Bottom 10%

If you want to create space for happiness, you need to remove what drains you. Take a hard look at the bottom 10% of your life—things that waste your time, energy, or emotional bandwidth. This could be:

✅ Unnecessary expenses (subscriptions you never use)
✅ Obligations you resent
✅ People who drain your energy
✅ Low-value tasks

For each, decide whether to:

1. Dump it – Remove it from your life entirely.

2. Delegate it – Pass it off to someone else.

3. Relegate it – Lower its priority.

4. Rehabilitate it – Improve it if it holds potential.

Pro tip: If your marriage feels like it’s in the bottom 10%, don’t discard it—work on making it better. You deserve a fulfilling relationship, and so does your partner.

Strategy #4: Reconnect with Nature

The average person spends 93% of their life indoors—and that’s a problem. Your body and mind need nature to function at their best.

Try these science-backed methods to harness nature’s benefits:

🌿 Grounding: Walking barefoot outside can reduce stress and inflammation.
🌲 Forest Bathing: Being around trees lowers cortisol (your stress hormone).
🌊 Salt Therapy: Sea air and salt lamps can boost serotonin and oxygen absorption.

Can’t get outside? Bring nature to you:

🌱 Add air-purifying plants to your home.
🧘 Use grounding mats.
💡 Try Himalayan salt lamps.

Strategy #5: Make Happiness a Daily Practice

Happiness isn’t a destination—it’s a skill. And like any skill, you need to practice it consistently. Here’s a simple one-minute exercise to train your brain for happiness:

At the end of each day, ask yourself:

1️⃣ What made me happy today (even a little bit)?
2️⃣ What’s one thing I can do tomorrow to get more of that?

This rewires your brain from numbness to awareness, making it easier to recognize and cultivate joy.

Key Takeaways

These five strategies are about more than just feeling good—they’re about fundamentally changing how you approach life and relationships. By shifting your focus from achievement to impact, valuing time over money, cutting what doesn’t serve you, reconnecting with nature, and making happiness a daily habit, you set yourself up for long-term fulfillment.

💡 Want to dive deeper? Listen to the full podcast episode for more insights and practical tips.

If you’re struggling to apply these strategies in your relationship, don’t go it alone. Book a free Relationship Reset call at relationshipresetcall.com. Let’s create the happiness and connection you deserve.

Happiness isn’t something you find—it’s something you make. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating your best life today.

Featured image by Arthur Brognoli