If you’ve spent any time online lately, you know the world isn’t exactly short on advice. It feel like everyone is ready and willing to talk over each other and shovel out unsolicited counsel: “Fix your mindset.” “Rewrite your habits.” “Become that version of yourself.” 

Some of it might be helpful, a lot of it contradictory, and most of it just overwhelming. Under this constant tirade of voices, it can be hard for young people (and let’s be honest, the rest of us, too) to know what guidance to follow. With opinions coming at us every time we pick up our phones, clarity can feel out of reach.

But beneath all the noise, researchers and mental health experts tend to agree on a handful of foundational tenants that help people thrive. These aren’t quick hacks or trendy challenges. They’re long‑studied, deeply human practices drawn from positive psychology, decades of behavioral‑health research, and conversations with people who’ve spent their careers helping communities navigate real‑world stress.

Julie Radlauer-Doerfler, LMHC, a leading expert on the social influences of mental health shares these five simple principles anyone can return to when life feels chaotic, complicated, or a little off‑track.

The five principles for building a happier, steadier life

1. Know your values and use your voice

Most people get that immediate, nagging feeling when they stray from what matters most to them. When our daily lives don’t align with our core values, whether that’s freedom, stability, creativity, community, or anything else, stress, discomfort, and dissatisfaction are sure to follow.

Finding your voice starts with noticing what lights you up and what drains you. It also means communicating honestly (and kindly) with others. Radlauer-Doerfler emphasizes that “our words shape the world around us as well as the world inside us,” and that curiosity, rather than judgment, often prevents conflict before it starts. Speaking up with clarity and compassion is one of the most powerful ways to move through the world with ease.

2. Protect your peace like it’s a resource

In a world where content never stops and notifications are constant, deciding what deserves your attention is an act of self‑preservation. This is where boundaries come in, not as a harsh line, but as a healthy practice.

Protecting your peace can look like taking digital breaks, saying no when your plate is full, or limiting the emotional energy you give to draining environments. Research consistently shows that what we consume influences how we feel. A more intentional “mental diet” supports better mood, steadier energy, and healthier coping.

Your peace is priceless. Treat it that way.

3. Let integrity and humility guide how you show up

Happiness isn’t only about how we feel; it’s also about how we behave. Following through on commitments, showing up when we say we will, and honoring our word strengthens relationships and builds inner confidence.

Integrity keeps us grounded in who we are. Humility keeps us open to who we can become. Together, they form the backbone of trust, both with others and within ourselves.

4. Choose connection, even when it feels vulnerable

A growing body of research highlights what many people already feel: loneliness is taking a real toll. In one recent survey, 73 percent of Gen Z respondents reported feeling lonely at least some of the time, and many parents worry their children are struggling to make friends.

Human beings are built for community, and meaningful relationships are one of the most consistent predictors of well‑being. Face‑to‑face connection (think sharing meals, joining clubs, volunteering, playing sports, showing up for others) offers something no algorithm can replicate.

If building community feels daunting, start small. Follow your interests and join spaces where people share your passions. If you feel like you haven’t yet identified a passion or hobby, use that blank slate as a launchpad to try out new things. Creating community and connections, like everything, starts by just taking that first step.

5. Practice resilience as a learned skill—not a personality trait

Everyone faces challenges. What matters is how we move through them.

Resilience isn’t about avoiding hard things. It’s about learning from them, asking for help when needed, and trying again with new insight. Experts note that resilience strengthens through actions like seeking meaning in difficulties, staying patient through setbacks, and staying connected to something larger than yourself.

It’s not about being unbreakable. It’s about staying flexible.

Putting it all together

These five principles aren’t quick fixes, and they aren’t rules. They’re gentle anchors and guiding ideas that can help us understand ourselves more deeply, protect our emotional energy, and build lives filled with purpose, connection, and growth.

If your life doesn’t feel the way you want it to yet, that’s okay. You’re allowed to start again, begin small, and build slowly. With the right tools, anyone can create a life that feels good from the inside out.