14 Habits of An Unhappy Person: 9 Tips to Recover

(Last Updated On: August 12, 2023)

There are some chronic habits of an unhappy person. As we traverse the orb, an ensemble of billions coexists, with a subset seemingly exuding an aura of unadulterated contentment. The remaining majority, ourselves included, oscillates betwixt the peaks of elation and the troughs of melancholy, contingent upon the ever-shifting days.

Throughout the annals of time, my scrutiny has divulged a recurring spectacle—a cast of chronically disconsolate individuals who have honed their proficiency in manifesting certain attributes and rituals. A caveat must prelude this exposition: we’re all acquainted with those disheartening days, perhaps extending into weeks, during which we, myself included, inadvertently stumble through the very chasms outlined in this enumeration.

Habits of an unhappy person

Here are some horrible qualities of a chronically unhappy person. Let’s learn these habits of an unhappy person:

1. Unhappy people limit their lives

At times, it might feel like diminishing your own significance within the vast realm of your thoughts. However, it also unfetters you, allowing a greater sense of liberation if such is your desire. Shift your focus outward. Rather than being ensnared in incessant self-contemplation and the contemplation of how others perceive you, redirect your attention toward the individuals populating your surroundings. Engage in active listening and extend a helping hand.

This practice not only aids in boosting your self-esteem but also serves to ameliorate the self-absorbed perspective. This discernible habit of an unhappy person is notable. Acknowledge that the majority of individuals harbor minimal concern for your pursuits. Instead, they are preoccupied with the narratives of their own lives and the opinions others might harbor about them.

2. Unhappy People strive to control their life

Delineating between maintaining an element of control and relentlessly striving to seize the reins of life is imperative. Contented souls stride resolutely toward their aspirations, all while recognizing that the ultimate course of events largely lies beyond their sphere of control.

In the face of unforeseen disruptions, individuals steeped in unhappiness lean toward micromanagement, driven by an unquenchable desire to exert dominion over every conceivable outcome. Such individuals unravel dramatically in the face of life’s curveballs. On the contrary, those steeped in happiness exhibit a comparable intensity of focus but are also adept at embracing life’s ebb and flow without succumbing to emotional chaos.

The essence lies in maintaining goal-directed determination while cultivating a mental space for life’s vicissitudes to unfold gracefully, even in the face of contingencies. This dynamic equanimity is intrinsic to the habits of a happy person.

3. Unhappy People compare with others out of jealousy

Unhappiness often breeds a perception that the successes of others are tantamount to personal loss. A belief takes root that benevolence is a finite resource, compelling a ceaseless juxtaposition of one’s own blessings with those of others. This propensity nurtures sentiments of bitterness and jealousy, emblematic of the behavioral patterns and traits pervasive among the unhappy.

Conversely, happiness springs forth from an understanding that individual fortunes and circumstances serve merely as templates for personal aspirations. Contented individuals embrace a profound conviction in the uniqueness of their blueprint, a narrative that remains impervious to replication or theft. Within their worldview, boundless potential takes root, unshackled by the notion that the prosperity of a singular soul is a harbinger of destiny’s verdict.

4. Unhappy people stuck in the past and future

Prolonged sojourns within the caverns of the past, wherein traumatic reminiscences, missed opportunities, and past confrontations reside, engender profound discomfort. Similarly, protracted engagements with the future, marred by apprehension of forthcoming travail in work, relationships, and health, sow the seeds of self-doubt, birthing cyclical deluges of nightmarish conjectures.

Adherence to the present moment’s unfolding events may entail the relinquishment of myriad wondrous experiences that transpire, oftentimes unnoticed, amidst the ebb and flow of existence.

5. Unhappy People Focus on wrong and right

The world, undoubtedly, bears the scars of countless afflictions; this assertion holds undeniable veracity. However, what sets unhappy souls apart is their predilection for disregarding the veritable glimmers of righteousness that permeate the world. They habitually divert their attention from the genuine virtues and tether themselves to the spectrum of wrongs. These individuals are invariably identifiable by their propensity for complaint and their reflexive response to the world’s merits with a resounding “yes, but.”

Conversely, those basking in the radiance of contentment are not oblivious to the challenges that pervade the global landscape. Yet, their vision encompasses not only the adversities but also the luminous truths. This, I term, “dual-observance.”

Unhappy souls tend to purposefully veil their gaze from the facets of positivity, fearful that the effulgence of light may distract them from their tribulations. In contrast, the joyous individuals harmonize their perspective, cognizant of the world’s tribulations yet simultaneously attuned to its inherent goodness, bereft of the proclivities inherent to the habits of an unhappy person.

6. Living in a sea of negative voices

The notion of living in isolation, akin to an island, is but a fallacy. Our reading choices, visual consumption, and auditory inputs wield substantial influence over our emotions and cognition. Permitting the influx of negative voices to pull you into a vortex of despondency complicates the pursuit of happiness. These voices proffer a narrative suggesting that existence is perpetually enshrouded in sorrow, fraught with perils, characterized by trepidation, anxiety, and circumscribed potential. Those who harbor a pessimistic perspective become ensnared.

Effectively dislodging these dispiriting echoes necessitates a conscious replacement with positive influences. It’s akin to unfurling an unexplored cosmos of possibilities. Embrace your environment with the company of uplifting individuals, immerse in melodies and literature that invigorate, and indulge in films and television series that elicit laughter while stimulating fresh contemplations about life’s nuances.

7. Unhappy People believe that life is hard

Happy souls harbor a profound understanding that existence can present challenges of considerable complexity. They choose to approach these challenges through the lens of curiosity rather than assuming the role of a victim. They shoulder responsibility for the pathways that have led them to particular situations and exhibit a proactive stance in navigating their way to solutions.

A buoyant demeanor isn’t daunted by hurdles; it forges ahead with determination to surmount difficulties. Contrarily, unhappy individuals find themselves trapped within a self-imposed narrative of victimhood. Instead of charting an escape route to the other side of adversity, they remain entangled in a mindset fixated on recounting life’s hardships and beseeching validation for their tribulations—an entanglement epitomizing one of the lamentable habits of an unhappy persona.

8. Unhappy people have many complaints

The realm of the discontented often finds refuge in the past—revisiting personal tribulations and societal predicaments becomes their preoccupation. And should their supply of grievances wane, they pivot towards chronicling the lives of others, fashioning gossip into an outlet for their discontent.

Contrastingly, the realm of the jubilant thrives in the present. Their existence is infused with a sense of presence, a dreamy anticipation of the future, and a palpable exuberance discernible even from a distance. They channel their energies towards ongoing projects with fervor, express gratitude for their current blessings, and let their imaginations unfurl and explore the boundless dimensions of life’s potential.

However, let us not be deluded into perceiving a realm devoid of imperfections. We are all occasionally immersed in disheartening waters, but the measure of our essence lies in the duration we linger and the tenacity we summon to reclaim our buoyancy. The delineation between individuals who radiate happiness and those marred by melancholy rests not in the pursuit of flawlessness but in the cultivation of daily habits drenched in positivity.

9. Unhappy People don’t Trust Others

While the foundation of prudent judgment is undeniable, the majority of joyous souls hold a fundamental belief in the inherent goodness of fellow human beings. Instead of viewing the world through a prism of suspicion, they cast their faith in the virtue that permeates others. Openness and affability are the hallmarks of their interactions. These individuals cultivate a sense of community around them, greeting fresh faces with an open heart, and recognizing the potential for meaningful connections.

Conversely, the unhappy souls adopt a cynical demeanor, approaching interactions with a predisposition for mistrust. They harbor the belief that strangers harbor malevolent intentions, thus cultivating an environment that constricts their ability to forge connections outside their insular enclave. This regrettable disposition, while protective in nature, inadvertently seals off the avenues through which new relationships can flourish.

10. Chasing Perfection: A Relentless Pursuit

Is it an imperative decree that life must attain a state of impeccable flawlessness before one can unlock the doors to happiness? Is the attainment of impeccable behavior and the realization of ideal outcomes synonymous with the key to unlocking happiness? This conviction, if adhered to, propels happiness into an elusive realm. It molds the perception that the attainment of happiness hinges upon an impeccability unattainable by mortals. Even amid a constellation of remarkable achievements and commendable feats, the endeavor to erect a benchmark of flawlessness instigates a maelstrom of low self-esteem and a pervasive sentiment of inadequacy.

The conundrum lies therein that, excepting infrequent instances when the stars fortuitously align, both you and your efforts are ensnared within the clutches of “never good enough.” The ceaseless striving for perfection invariably engenders an abyss of incompleteness, for the realm of perfection remains perpetually uncharted. Aiming for perfection often births endeavors that remain perpetually inchoate, imprisoned in a ceaseless cycle. Rather than embarking on the quest for perfection, embrace the ethos of “good enough.” However, let not this be misconstrued as an endorsement for slothful languor or indolence.

Yet, perchance, consider the acknowledgment of “good enough” as the terminus, a beacon of attainment that proclaims completion. Contemplate the exorbitant price incurred by your allegiance to the myths of perfection.

11. The Quagmire of Fear and Anxiety

Between the dimensions of your cranial confines, space is not inexhaustible. Unhappy souls, ensnared within their internal labyrinth, direct their focus towards envisioning the multitude of calamities that could potentially ensue. In contrast, a facet amongst the habits of an unhappy persona is the predilection to envelop oneself in illusions, permitting daydreams to weave their intricate threads, envisioning a future harmonized with aspirations. Inhabitants of this latter realm cultivate this cerebral terrain with a flourishing crop of curiosity and envisioning—a stark divergence from the anxiety-infused domain.

However, it’s pivotal to recognize that even amid the domain of jubilance, fear and trepidation take residence. The dichotomy lies in the differentiation between succumbing to these emotions and acknowledging their presence without conceding dominance. When fear and trepidation knock upon the gates of a contented consciousness, they are met with a query: “What action can I undertake to forestall these impending apprehensions?” It’s in this inquiry that responsibility unfurls its unfaltering standard, providing an antidote to panic’s tempestuous gusts.

12. The Prism of Negative Pondering

An irrefutable pathway to envelop oneself in melancholy lies in the meticulous curation of negative facets within a given situation, a proclivity that festers beneath the umbrella of many habits of an unhappy person. The capacity to elucidate every shade of pessimism and to linger upon these details with profound scrutiny is an exercise that unfailingly ushers one into the realms of sorrow. Regrettably, the contagion of negativity extends beyond personal horizons, casting a pall upon the spirits of those within its gravitational pull.

Yet, breaking the chains of this predilection proves to be an intricate endeavor. A tool that has proven efficacious is dismantling the architecture of perfectionism—a tendency that perpetuates this disposition. Transitioning from the expectation of absolute flawlessness to a realm where duality, encompassing advantages and disadvantages, becomes the narrative, marks a transformative shift. Such an acceptance bequeaths the power to relinquish the hold of disheartening emotions, allowing them to dissipate rather than morph into colossal mental monuments.

An alternative stratagem entails redirecting the mental faculties towards a constructive channel. Rather than fixating on the elements of discomfort and vociferating grievances, harness the energy towards the pursuit of positivity and solution-forging.

13. Unhappy people lead an Overcomplicating life

Should one be ensnared within the belief that the universe orbits around their individuality, they unwittingly cast themselves into a realm of self-imposed limitations. The fear of external judgments and the paralyzing apprehension of dissent becomes a restraining shackle, incapacitating any attempt at novelty or deviation. Among the multitude of habits of an unhappy person, this predilection for constriction invariably obstructs the exploration of uncharted avenues, stifling the pursuit of unique endeavors.

Consequently, the conviction that criticism and negativity are tailored to target your being engenders a convoluted web of perception. This distorted lens transmutes the trivial into the monumental, magnifying the inconsequential until it occupies the zenith of importance. The root of my own anxieties, I’ve discerned, often sprouted from the conviction that my actions held cosmic significance.

14. Unhappy people are lost in the stress

The grip of anxiety, a tumultuous storm of lost cogitation, or reflections upon past regrets and future uncertainties—these riptides hold the potential to engulf an individual in a sea of disquiet. When ensnared in these tempestuous currents, revert to the breath. Engage in the practice previously mentioned—inhale, expand your belly, feel the air course through your being, and exhale. This seemingly mundane act serves as a lifeboat, ferrying your thoughts from turbulent waters back to the shores of the present moment.

The influx of oxygen imbues your body with calmness, facilitating a reunion with tranquility amidst the tumult. With renewed clarity, you can refocus on the salient aspects awaiting your attention. As you traverse the maze of existence, remember that splitting your attention among diverse facets is an intrinsic part of the human experience. The human mind, an adept inventor of complex narratives, often fabricates relational complexities that may not even exist. An alternative approach lies in the art of inquiry—a method that circumvents disputes, misinterpretations, the quagmire of negativity, and the profligate expenditure of both time and energy.

How To Reduce Symptoms of Unhappiness

Embarking on the treacherous journey through the realm of depression is a formidable endeavor, fraught with agonizing pain and pervasive debilitation. In the United States, it’s estimated that a substantial ten percent of adults grapple with the harrowing clutches of depression annually, unraveling the fabric of familial harmony, robbing workplaces of productivity, and inflicting a pervasive sense of anguish not only upon the afflicted individuals but also on those who encircle them.

While the assistance of medical professionals remains paramount, particularly in cases of severe depression, there exists a constellation of non-medical remedies that one can undertake autonomously to ameliorate the labyrinthine symptoms of this affliction. Therapists and physicians alike proffer guidance that aligns with these steps, synergizing them with counseling and pharmacological interventions.

Herein, a tapestry of nine self-empowering methodologies is woven, aimed at dispelling or alleviating the symptoms of mild to moderate your unhappiness:

1. Laughter, The Elixir of Gaiety

In the sanctum of battling depression, laughter stands forth as an elixir, a balm for the afflicted soul. A symphony of possibilities unfolds – sitcoms unfurling their comedic overtures, jokes transmuted into mirthful arias, the contagion of shared laughter, or the act of reveling in recollections that summon gales of laughter – all converge in the augmentation of dopamine levels, heralding respite from the enigma of depression.

2. Altruism as an Antidote

Depression’s crucible often engenders self-absorption, with individual woes magnified to overwhelming proportions. A novel stratagem emerges – bestowing aid upon a fellow traveler or tending to a creature of fur or feather. The contours of this tactic are manifold – a confab with a friend, fostering the ambiance of charity through volunteering, lending a helping hand to neighbors in their yard endeavors, or adopting a companion in the form of a pet. Altruism, the fount of benevolence, not only elevates self-esteem but also diverts thoughts from the maelstrom of personal tribulations. Any oasis from depression’s clutches can facilitate the elevation of mood and a positive ruminative sphere.

3. Confront Negative Ideations

Depression often ushers in a paradigm of negative ruminations. Thought patterns like “I am a failure,” “I am universally disliked,” or “This melancholy will endure ad infinitum” unfurl as recurrent motifs within the mindscape of a depressed individual. These thoughts, insidious in nature, solidify into an unconscious routine, exacerbating the tendrils of depression.

A pragmatic solution materializes in the form of counteracting these pessimistic musings with the infusion of positivity. Confronting such negativity with the rays of optimism transmutes “This melancholy will endure ad infinitum” into the query “How can I be certain of this?” or kindling memories of instances when life’s hues appeared more vivid.

Our proclivity to embrace our thoughts as gospel warrants reevaluation. The axiom “Don’t believe everything you think” underscores the sagacity of challenging our cognitive narratives.

4. Embrace Physical Activity

Scientific literature, replete with inquiries into the enigmatic depths of depression, consistently echoes the assertion that exercise wields the potential to alleviate the grip of mild to moderate depression as efficaciously as pharmacotherapy. Beyond its role in mitigating depressive symptoms, exercise unfurls a plethora of ancillary benefits encompassing bolstered cardiovascular health, weight management, and a diminished proclivity for an array of chronic afflictions.

Initiating an exercise regimen during bouts of depression can prove daunting; hence, commencing with modest steps is judicious. Engaging in a leisurely daily stroll, indulging in ten-minute home-based calisthenics, or surrendering to the cadence of music in dance are all laudable forms of exercise that can serve as potent antidotes for depression.

Exercise’s salutary influence on depression can be attributed to its augmentation of endorphins—cerebral chemicals known to infuse the psyche with elation. Even a fleeting interlude of mild exercise can engender an upswing in mood, orchestrated by the elevation of endorphin levels.

5. Imbibe the Elixir of Hydration

Water, the lifeblood coursing through our corporeal realms, presides over myriad physiological functions. Partaking in the aqueous nectar, an act deemed sacrosanct, orchestrates the expulsion of toxins, kindles the symphony of internal organs, and augments the clarity of cogitation.

Amidst this narrative, lies the stark reality – myriad souls fail to quench their inner reservoir with the elixir of water, succumbing instead to the siren call of sugary confections, caffeine-laden brews, and the allure of alcoholic libations. This ensnaring embrace depletes the body’s hydration reserves, unfurling the sinister specter of dehydration.

For those who grapple with quenching their thirst in the realm of plain water, an array of alternatives beckons:

– The embrace of iced or steaming herbal infusions, each bearing a distinct melody – mint’s refreshing cadence, chamomile’s soothing serenade, ginger’s spirited overture, hibiscus’s vivid chorus, rooibos’s mellifluous timbre, and jasmine’s fragrant sonnet
– Fusion of fruit juices with water, a melodious symphony that transmutes taste into euphony
– Frosty waters, cascading like rivulets of invigoration
– Sparkling waters, embellished with a whisper of flavor
– The symphony of ice water adorned with a lemon or lime slice, or the whisper of fresh ginger root

The nourishment of optimal well-being mandates an intake of two to three quarts of liquid beyond alimentary sustenance, constituting a reservoir of vitality that circumvents the abyss of despondency.

6. Metamorphosis of Routine

Depression often cloaks individuals in the familiarity of routines that breed and perpetuate its symptoms. A paradigm ensues, where each day unfurls as a replica of the preceding one – awakening, labor, entrancing nights engrossed in televised tales, culminating in indulgence in deleterious victuals before surrendering to slumber’s embrace. The cycle, a protracted lament, perpetuates self-condemnation.

The clarion call of metamorphosis beckons, bearing the promise of liberation from depression’s clutches. Revolutionizing routine need not be herculean; a minor divergence is often sufficient to elicit substantial transformation. The formula rests in rewriting the script: a fleeting respite of a stroll preceding rendezvous with the TV; transmutation of a dinner into an embodiment of wholesomeness.

Through the prism of neuroscience, the metamorphosis of routine serves as an impetus, forging new neural pathways laced with dopamine, the harbinger of joy. Contrary to expectations, these shifts need not be seismic; they burgeon even through modest permutations.

7. Cultivate Nutritional Wholeness

In the throes of depression, individuals often find solace in consuming nutritional morsels of dubious merit. The realm of sugary, salty, and high-fat edibles proffers a transient semblance of comfort, yet beneath this veneer lurks the specter of blood sugar spikes, weight augmentation, and the orchestration of turbulent moods.

An antidote to this culinary malaise is the embrace of wholesomeness. Culinary selections that harmonize with your palate and embody nourishment become your allies in this endeavor. An ensemble encompassing fresh fruit, verdant salads, lean proteins, lustrous oily fish like salmon, and whole-grain bread beckon as allies in the battle against depression, provided they do not elicit allergic or adverse reactions.

Crucially, engendering the propensity to reach for these nutritional allies, particularly during moments of hunger or emotional despondency, constitutes the pivot of this undertaking.

8. Get Adequate Sleep

In the tapestry of depression’s labyrinth, insomnia and anxiety emerge as shadowy specters, interwoven like a chiaroscuro dance within the realm of sleep. The continuum of rest, marred by disarray, seeks reparation—a journey fraught with initiation and perpetuation.

The journey toward an oasis of restful slumber beckons, necessitating the sculpting of one’s diurnal tapestry, its threads are interwoven with intentions for a serene nocturnal voyage.

Consider, if you will, the transformational cadence that comprises this nocturnal symphony:

– The orchestration of room ambiance, each note attuned to the chords of dimmed luminosity and hushed acoustics
– The exquisitely calibrated thermal sanctum, where comfort blooms in the embrace of ambient temperature
– The embargo on caffeine’s aromatic embrace, a hiatus invoked two hours before the voyage into the night’s realm
– The bedtime hour, an anchor to stability, woven in the fabric of consistency
– The banishment of electronic phantoms and televised apparitions from the chambers of repose
– The gentle decree that sustenance be withheld for a single hour before the courtship of sleep ensues

Sleep, an alchemical elixir of restoration, burgeons as an imperative. It emerges not solely as a conduit of rejuvenation but as an envoy, delivering renewal unto both the corporeal and the ethereal realms. The quest for such renewal, enkindled through the realm of slumber, unfurls as a sentinel against the nebulous grasp of depression, its clutches unraveled through the embroidery of tranquil nights.

9. Set Your Routine

Within the realm of depression, a cohort of sufferers languishes in the absence of structure, adrift in the tempestuous seas of aimlessness. In such instances, the establishment of a meticulously chiseled routine proclaims itself as a potent panacea to alleviate the symptoms that torment.

Crafting a new symphony of structure unfurls as a task with profound resonance. The simplest shifts – embracing the morn with the sartorial sashay instead of languishing in the inertia of pajamas – herald transformation. Dialing friends, partaking in meditative strolls, penning thoughts upon the parchment of a journal, or succumbing to the melodic embrace of favored tunes for half an hour assume an orchestral quality, aligning with dopamine’s crescendo, choreographed to displace desolation.

Final thought

Navigating the intricate labyrinth of depression, a pervasive affliction that shrouds life in melancholic hues calls for an arsenal of strategies to mitigate its corrosive grasp. A stark reality emerges – an estimated 10 percent of adults in the United States grapple with the desolation of depression annually, casting asunder the tapestry of harmony in familial bonds, eroding workplace productivity, and enveloping not only the afflicted souls but also those who stand sentinel to their struggles.

While the compass of medical intervention remains paramount, particularly for severe manifestations, a pantheon of non-pharmacological measures exists, empowering individuals to assail the enigma of depression independently. This symphony of self-empowerment, seamlessly intertwining with therapeutic intervention and pharmacological aid, endeavors to dissolve or ameliorate the symptoms of mild to moderate depression.