Updated June 09, 2015.

Are there certain keys to happiness that once uncovered, can make all the difference in a person’s life? If there are keys to happiness, what exactly are they, and are they the same for everyone? There are some basic things in life that can make us happy, and they aren’t expensive or difficult to acquire. The following list includes six things that may require you to make some changes in your life, but the results can help make your life more enjoyable.

Finding Your Keys to Happiness

1. Have friends. For some, getting friends isn’t always easy. Disabled people may put up barriers to prevent other people from getting too close. However, everyone needs someone that they can talk to, and not just a pet that gives the appearance of listening to your problems. Finding friends can be as simple as chatting with others in a support group on the Internet. Other ways to make friends include joining book clubs at a local library, getting involved with local politics, becoming an advocate (perhaps for your own specific disability), or volunteering at a place you enjoy visiting.
   
   
2. Taking care of yourself. Your health is very important, though sometimes it is easier to worry about others, especially if we have children at home who depend on us. Put yourself first once in a while, especially when it comes to your health. Go to all of your scheduled medical appointments, make sure to schedule ones that are easily forgotten (such as mammograms) and pay attention to your diet. People who are unhappy tend to eat “comfort foods” that are high in salt or sugar, which may lead to gaining a few unwanted pounds.
   
   

1. Have peace of mind. This may be easier said than done. Having peace may require that you re-organize your life so that you don’t feel stressed out. For example, forgetting to pay your bills because you can’t find them may lead to stressful phone calls with collectors. Forgetting to have routine maintenance done on your car can leave you stranded on the side of the road. Letting your housecleaning go can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Organizing and planning can help eliminate some of these stressful situations. Try buying a plastic file box for your bills, use a calendar to remind you of appointments and spend 15 minutes a day cleaning. While just an example, these are simple ways to bring organization to our lives.
   
   
2. Have enough money to be comfortable. Many people who are disabled receive SSA disability payments, but often they aren’t enough to make us as comfortable as we would like to be. With the rising cost of utilities, medical needs and food, it can be very difficult to make ends meet. If you’ve never made a budget before, creating one may help you evaluate what are necessities, and what aren’t. For some, the budget will help them keep within their income and be something they can live with. For others, they will need more income. In this case, speak with your local Social Security Administration office. They can explain your work options and put you in touch with the Ticket to Work Program administrator in your area. Alternatively, they may be able to offer other options you haven’t thought of to cover your expenses.
   
   
3. Be secure in your surroundings. Do you live in a home that is welcoming? Is it in a safe neighborhood? Does your caregiver (if you have one) treat you with respect and make sure your basic needs are being met? Sometimes we have to make changes in our lives to feel secure, and change can be scary. If you live in a neighborhood where you don’t feel safe, it is time to look for another home or apartment in a better area. Talk with a realtor if you think you may want to sell; talk with your landlord if you want to get out of a lease. While you may lose a security deposit if you get out of a lease early, it may give you peace of mind to live in a safer neighborhood. As for caregivers, not everyone can pick and choose who takes care of them, but if you pay for help and are not happy with the quality or personality of the individual, let them go. Talk with their supervisor if possible and explain the reason, but you don’t have to put up with a caregiver who makes you miserable.
   
   
4. Have hope. Having hope means that you believe things can always get better, whether things are currently going well in your life, or not. Sometimes it is easy to just throw up our hands and give up on the thing that is frustrating us, but when we give up hope for a better tomorrow, we’re slipping into depression. While it is okay to feel sad or depressed when we come up against an obstacle or crisis in our lives, feeling depressed for more than a few days can signal clinical depression. If you feel like you’re losing hope, share your problems with a friend or support group. If that isn’t possible, speak with your primary care physician - they are ready and willing to help.