We are all working on being happy, right? I know I am and in fact, this is “Happy Times” blog. Why wouldn’t I want to preach happiness? I work with people every day who are trying to be happier. Some of us are obsessed with trying to be happier but often we become discouraged in our pursuit of it. Sometimes it is a struggle.
Do we really know what happiness is? Sometimes we go searching for something and we don’t know exactly what we are searching for or how to get it and then we wonder why it is we aren’t achieving it.
The pursuit of happiness IS worth the effort. Research has shown that positive emotions have not just the benefit of momentary pleasure, but of long-term well-being also. Positive emotions bring us pleasure, counteract the damaging effects of negative emotions, build resilience and promote long-term physical and emotional health. We shouldn’t give up on happiness, but we do need to find an easier way.
If we think of happiness as a BIG goal and break it down into smaller steps, it will and can seem more manageable and less daunting.
Joy, contentedness, love, interest, and satisfaction are some of the positive emotions that lead us to feel happy. The more we experience these positive emotions, the happier we’ll be.
Easy so far, right? But how do we cultivate positive emotions? That’s easy too, if we’re willing to let it be.
When we engage in activities or spend time with people (or animals) that we like, we tend to feel positive emotions. There are many things in our lives that generate positive emotions. Simply put, the more time you spend engaged in activities that induce positive emotion, the more positive emotion you will feel and the more likely you will be to achieve an overall sense of happiness.
The following are some ideas of some smaller steps you can take to bring you more happiness:
Exercise.
Exercise, beyond making you more fit, also brings about the release of endorphins. This is a “feel good” chemical that is produced in your body. Now come on, who doesn’t want to feel good? Any moderately strenuous physical activity counts. Even a brisk walk counts. J
Spend Time With Others.
Time spent with people (not just any people, but upbeat, positive people) can bring about feelings of joy, love, interest etc. Go out with your friends, visit with family, chat with the mailman. Don’t feel like talking? Just smile at people once in a while…when they smile back, which they will do most of the time, see if it doesn’t make you feel good. Don’t forget your animal friends either. Playing with the dog, watching the birds or rabbits in the back yard or even chatting with your child’s pet hamster can make you feel more content or even make you laugh.
Chatting or conversing online with friends counts too! For those of us with Agoraphobia, this is a wonderful alternative to going out and being around people face-to-face.
Quiet Your Mind.
Formal meditation, prayer or even just sitting with your eyes closed for a few minutes can bring about relaxation and a sense of inner peace.
Spend Time in Nature.
Listening to running water, a stream, the birds chirping, the leaves blowing in the breeze, taking a hike in the woods or simply gazing at the river from your office window, can bring about relaxation, feelings of connectedness, and even spark creativity. While there is much research to prove that time in or near nature has a positive impact on mood, I am sure that you don’t need proof.
Express Yourself.
Creative expression of any kind (art, crafts, cooking, decorating, writing) can bring along a great deal of positive emotion. Your work doesn’t have to be good…you just have to enjoy doing it. It is proven that when you get the right side of your brain working (the creative side), it releases emotions of happiness.
Have Fun.
Anything that makes you smile or laugh brings about joy! Reading quotes about laughter, smiling and happiness work for me. Also, watching comedies on television or watching a silly movie brings about laughter.
Serving others.
Quite often, doing things that help others, brings feelings of joy and accomplishment. Making someone else feel good often makes us feel just as good.
Now this is a good start! There might be other things that you can add to this list…
The more I think about it, the more I realize that it really is the little things that make me happy. Becoming a happier person doesn’t have to be hard work. Remember, one step at a time. Have lunch with a friend, take a walk in the fresh air and sunshine, seeing a funny movie.
Every time I engage in an activity that peaks my interest, makes me smile or gets my endorphins flowing, it’s like money in the bank. A little laughter here, a loving hug there and before I know it I’ve become the happy person I’ve always wanted to be without hardly trying. What are you going to do today to bring you toward your pursuit of happiness?
Here’s wishing you all the happiness in the world!
Hugs,
Cathleen
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