We asked 5 wellness experts how to be happy. They all said this one thing.

Happiness. It's a fickle thing. We all want it, but let's be honest, it's complicated.

It's easy to chase, hard to hold onto and often completely overlooked in the chaos of everyday life.

Between work, family, and a never-ending to-do list, when was the last time you actually checked in with how you're really feeling?

It's one of the reasons we re-launched But Are You Happy?, a Mamamia's podcast giving you the no-bullsh*t self-development and mental health information you really need.

Outside the pod, we also spoke to a handful of experts, from areas of nutrition to psychology, to find out what actually works.

Their advice? Surprisingly simple and seriously useful.

And they all mentioned one thing. That true happiness will come and go, but with the right approach, we can find the tools to keep us feeling fulfilled and content long term.

Here's what they said.

First, listen to the new season of But Are You Happy? Post continues below.

Lucy Klemt, dietitian and personal trainer.

What's one simple habit or mindset shift people can start today that would genuinely make them happier?

When it comes to food, adopt an approach focused on abundance, not restriction. Things change a lot when you think more about all the good stuff you can add in, rather than what you are told you should be taking out.

In your experience, what's the most overlooked factor when it comes to living a happy, fulfilled life?

I think that as women we are sold this idea that happiness comes when we achieve the perfect appearance — when we lose weight or clear our skin or whatever it is. Weight loss is not the key to happiness or the solve for bad body image.

What's something small you do every day that boosts your own happiness?

I think for me, it's a lot of micro actions I do throughout the day. I like to name my unhelpful or critical thoughts as "stories".

"Ah yes, here's the 'Your friends think you're annoying' story" or "'Oh here's the 'Everyone else is working so much harder than you' story".

I think seeing these thoughts as fleeting, made-up narratives my brain has constructed, rather than something I need to get bogged down in or go to war with, has helped me with my happiness a lot.

If you had to give just one piece of advice for being truly happy, what would it be?

Probably a cliché, but it's not something that you achieve. It's not an outcome. As a dietitian, I often say to my clients, "Our goal is to stop chasing your 'ideal body' and start chasing your ideal life" and I think that reflects the mindset a lot.

Any other tips on how to be happy you want to share?

I think the wise words of British actress Jemima Kirke, who responded to an Instagram Q&A with, "I think you guys might be thinking about yourselves too much" ring true here. We're all obsessing about ourselves, our flaws and our shortfalls a little too much.

Lucy is a dietitian and personal trainer. Image: Instagram/lucyklemt.

Alison Hutchens, meditation teacher and mindfulness coach.

What's one simple habit or mindset shift people can start today that would genuinely make them happier?

One of the most powerful mindset shifts is to start the day with intention rather than reaction. A simple practice like taking two to three mindful breaths upon waking, and asking yourself, "How do I want to show up today?" can dramatically shift your mindset.

It sets the tone for the day, grounds you, and cultivates a sense of control and purpose. This small pause can ripple into greater clarity, resilience, and ultimately, more joy.

In your experience, what's the most overlooked factor when it comes to living a happy, fulfilled life?

In my work as a mindset coach, I often see people underestimate the role of self-awareness and emotional regulation. We chase happiness in external achievements yet overlook how our inner dialogue and unprocessed emotions shape our reality.

True fulfilment starts from within — by understanding our patterns, healing past conditioning, and consciously choosing thoughts and behaviours that align with who we truly want to be.

What's something small you do every day that boosts your own happiness?

Every day, I take a mindful moment just for myself — whether it's sipping tea in silence, sitting in nature, or practising a short gratitude ritual. Even five minutes of presence reconnects me to what really matters.

I have realised that it's not about perfection; it's about creating small daily anchors that nourish the nervous system and bring me back to a state of peace and joy.

If you had to give just one piece of advice for being truly happy, what would it be?

Stop waiting for external circumstances to change and instead, become the creator of your own mindset.

Happiness is an inside job. You have more power than you think to choose how you respond to life. By learning how to work with your subconscious beliefs and your nervous system, as I do with my clients, you can begin to rewire your internal landscape for lasting happiness.

Any other tips on how to be happy you want to share?Yes, don't underestimate the power of connection and self-compassion. We thrive when we feel seen, heard, and valued — starting with how we treat ourselves.

Be kind to your inner world. Also, give yourself permission to rest, laugh, cry, and grow. Happiness isn't about feeling good all the time — it's about embracing the full human experience with awareness, resilience, and heart.

Alison Hutchens. Image: Alison Hutchens.

Anastasia Hronis, psychologist and But Are You Happy? co-host.

In your experience, what's the most overlooked factor when it comes to living a happy, fulfilled life?

That living a "fulfilled life" is different to living a life where we are seeking happiness moment to moment. Happiness is a fleeting experience. We can feel happy one moment, and back to baseline the next.

Feeling fulfilled and satisfied, however, is a deeper experience that can transcend moment-to-moment changes in our emotional state. For example, I may have an unwell family member that I care for. I am not happy that they are unwell. But by caring for them and spending time with them, I may feel content that I have lived my life in a way that feels purposeful and meaningful to me.

Instead of seeking happiness, I encourage people to seek meaningful and purposeful experiences, if they want fulfilment and satisfaction. This comes from being able to align our actions with our values.

What's one simple habit or mindset shift people can start today that would genuinely make them happier?

We all know the things that are good for maintaining our mental health and wellbeing — exercise, social connection, good sleep, healthy diet. But in addition to this, if we want to feel genuinely happier, we need to know what our values are — the things that are most important to us in life. Things like family, friends, adventure, creativity, honesty etc. We need to know our values, and also live our life in alignment with those values.

If you want to do one thing to work towards genuine happiness, start to incorporate values-aligned actions into your everyday life.

What's something small you do every day that boosts your own happiness?

I very much value social connection. I actively try to engage with friends everyday — whether it's via a text, social media, a voice message or in person. I notice that when I'm not connecting with friends, my mood isn't as good.

If you had to give just one piece of advice for being truly happy, what would it be?

Happiness comes and goes in everyone's life. Don't fall into the "happiness trap" where we are just seeking to feel "good" all the time. Everyone will have down days, painful moments and hard times in life. That's inevitable.

Think about how you want to feel when you're 90 years old and looking back on your life. That will guide you as to how to live your life. Aim to seek out fulfillment and satisfaction.

Anastasia is one of the hosts of But Are You Happy? alongside Ashani Dante. Image: Mamamia.

Tim Sharp, Chief Happiness Officer at The Happiness Institute and psychologist.

What's one simple habit or mindset shift people can start today that would genuinely make them happier?

To begin with, I'd say there's NOT one simple thing that will work for everyone. This is important because we all need to find our own "formulas". That being said, there are a number of empirically supported strategies that will benefit most people, and these include — setting and working towards meaningful goals, fostering and developing meaningful relationships, practising gratitude and appreciation.

In your experience, what's the most overlooked factor when it comes to living a happy, fulfilled life?

Possibly, that happiness is not the same as selfishness. We certainly need to take responsibility for our lives and to look after ourselves, but real and meaningful happiness invariably comes from caring for others, from being kind and generous

What's something small you do every day that boosts your own happiness?

I have a number of happiness habits, including all those listed already, but in addition, for me, exercise is a powerful stress buster and mood enhancer.

If you had to give just one piece of advice for being truly happy, what would it be?

If I had to give one piece of advice, I'd say … there's not one piece of advice that will work for everyone all the time! We need to practice a number of habits, and vary them so we don't become complacent, and note also that we change and so our happiness routines also need to change.

Dr Tim Sharp aka Dr Happy. Image: Dr Tim Sharp

Dr Jodie Lowinger, mindset expert and author of The Mind Strength Method.

What's one simple habit or mindset shift people can start today that would genuinely make them happier?

Shift from worry to problem-solving and practical action around what's in your control. Worry often gives the illusion of being productive, but in reality, it keeps you stuck in fear and uncertainty. A simple and evidence-based way to reclaim calm and control is to ask yourself: "Is this problem solvable?" If yes, shift into practical problem-solving. Break the issue down and take one small, values-aligned action. If no, practice letting go. Gently redirect your attention to what you can control in the present moment. This isn't easy, but awareness is a great place to start.

This shift moves you out of overthinking and into empowered action. Over time, it builds resilience, confidence, and a greater sense of fulfilment and is a game changer for mental wellbeing.

In your experience, what's the most overlooked factor when it comes to living a happy, fulfilled life?

The willingness to feel discomfort in order to engage in what matters most.

People might commonly believe that happiness means avoiding discomfort or fear. But the paradox is that the more we try to avoid tricky feelings, like anxiety or agitation, the more those feelings grow and the smaller our lives become. True fulfilment doesn't come from chasing constant happiness. It comes from doing what deeply matters to you, even when it's hard. That might mean speaking up in a meeting despite imposter syndrome, setting boundaries that feel uncomfortable, or trying something new when you're afraid of failing.

This principle is central to the Mind Strength Method, teaching people to move from avoidance to values-aligned action. When you allow discomfort and still take meaningful steps forward, you build confidence, resilience, and a deeper, more sustainable form of happiness. It's not about feeling good all the time, it's about living a life that feels deeply worthwhile.

What's something small you do every day that boosts your own happiness?

One small practice I do every day that genuinely boosts my own happiness is pausing to name what I'm grateful for and why it matters to me, even if it's just for 60 seconds.

This might be as simple as feeling the warmth of the sun, the sound of my children laughing, or the clarity after a good session with a client at The Anxiety Clinic. But I don't just list these moments, I connect with the meaning behind them. This helps my brain register not just what's good, but why it matters, which deepens the positive emotional impact.

Gratitude isn't about pretending everything is perfect. It's about training your brain to notice what's working, even in the middle of tough times. And over time, it rewires your mindset towards hope, resilience, and the things you value, such as connection, core foundations of lasting happiness.

If you had to give just one piece of advice for being truly happy, what would it be?

Stop chasing happiness and start living in line with your values. Happiness isn't a destination. It's a byproduct of doing what matters, even when it's uncomfortable.

When you take action guided by what truly matters to you, like connection, contribution, creativity, or growth, you build a life of purpose and meaning. And meaning is far more sustainable than momentary pleasure.

True happiness comes not from avoiding discomfort, but from engaging fully in life, facing challenges, learning from setbacks, showing up authentically, and choosing actions that align with the kind of person you want to be. That's where lasting fulfilment lives.

Any other tips on how to be happy you want to share?

Some other tips that I often share with clients to cultivate genuine, lasting happiness include treating yourself like you would a close friend. We're often our own harshest critics. Start catching your inner critic and speaking to yourself with the same kindness and encouragement you'd offer a friend. Research shows that self-compassion boosts resilience, motivation and overall wellbeing.

Practice anchoring in the present moment. Often unhappiness comes from ruminating on the past or catastrophising about the future. Build the habit of bringing your mind back to the present moment, even for a few moments a day. Mindfulness, even in small doses, rewires the brain for calm and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Don't wait for joy to happen, build it in. Whether it's music, movement, nature, or creativity, prioritise daily habits that give you that boost your mood and build your sense of happiness and wellbeing.

Dr Jodie Lowinger. Image: Supplied.

Feature image: Jodie Lowinger, Dr Tim Sharp, Lucy Klemt.