I saw an article recently on Intent.com about ways to make yourself happier. I thought they were important tips to share because I don't know about you, but I could use a happier year. Really, a lot of times you can't change your situation but you can change how you think about and manage the situation. The article even kicks off with this quote from Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ~ "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." That makes all the difference, really, although altering your brain can be hard work (especially if you're a cynical, sarcastic, old cooter like I am). On our road to happiness, here's their 15 tips for being a happier person.
1. Be your own BFF (best friend forever). Enjoy your own company. Embrace everything about you! Without a doubt, it's the most important step towards being a happy person.
2. Smile, giggle, snicker, or chuckle! Smiling releases serotonin in the brain, which instantaneously gives your mood a lift.
3. Dream big in every area of life. Set your life in motion and manifest your heart's desire.
4. Shut the doors and the windows tight! And then put on your favorite song and sing out loud. Let it rip!
5. Cook a healthy, delicious meal. Serve it up pretty and savor the flavor, one bite at a time.
6. Expect a miracle. Believe that something wonderful will happen for you today. The universe is waiting to shower happy blessings on you.
7. Meditate, pray and chant. Research shows that people who are spiritual tend to be happier and healthier than those who are not.
8. Pull up your best pair of warm socks. Wiggle your toes and enjoy a cozy kind of bliss.
9. Sleep baby sleep. Seven or eight hours each night should increase your energy and decrease your moodiness.
10. Count your blessings daily. Gratitude, the emotion of thankfulness, is one of the key ingredients for living a happy life. Make gratitude a habit and happiness will be yours.
11. Wake up early! Start the day off on a happy foot, with a happy thought. The morning hours are full of spiritual energy and prana (life force).
12. Let the sun shine in. 20 minutes of sunlight per day improves mood and wards of Seasonal Affection Disorder (SAD).
13. Take a hot bath. Feel the tension melt away as you sink into a pool of happiness.
14. Say "Good Job!" Give yourself permission to pat yourself on the back. Recognize your accomplishments and positive qualities.
15. Happiness is contagious! Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values, your goals and dreams.
I think it's a pretty good list. What about you? Do you agree? Think some of the things are bunk? Anything you'd add that Intent.com left off?
SP
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16 comments:
It's a pretty good list. I definitely try to anticipate good things happening each day.
The list is good.
I usually try to look on the bright side. You know the old saying 'when life hands you lemons you make lemonade.'
I expect that miracle every time I buy a lottery ticket.
For me the waking up early and getting eight hours of sleep sort of cancel each other out. Sometimes I stay up late and I have to sleep in to get the eight hours (which I rarely do lately).
The list was great. Yes I agree with Gigi - the lemonade thing (which I have to try better to do) and I always have hope when I buy a lotto ticket, otherwise why buy them.
When I have off from work, I always try to get up early so I don't waste my "off" time. Some people like to sleep late, not me. LOL.
I am greatful for my wonderful granddaughter - she has brought such joy to all our lives.
All in all a very positive list - that was the point - and life is what YOU make of it! Thanks for posting it. Not always easy to follow all of them, but a good reminder.
Good list. The only thing I don't do is get outside for 20 minutes a day every day. Does it count if I sit under my full spectrum lamp and read? :-)
You *do* create your own happiness within you. No one else can make you happy. And that doom and gloom? Get rid of it. If there's anything at all to the law of attraction, you're not doing yourself any favors. Basically, expect the worst and you'll get it. Happy is better.
Terrific list. It's been difficult to get the 20 minutes of sunlight lately without risking hypothermia and frostbite. Hopefully it'll be in the 50's for a while and I can soak up some rays walking to the mailbox instead of driving.
Interesting. I think lots of these are great and good advice. Although, am I the only one who now feels pressure to do this? My type A personality kicking in there!
Angel
This is the third day this week DG and AC have let me sleep in because I'm sick. They've been getting themselves up and out the door. This has made me very happy and marginally better. So get out of bed early isn't on my list this week!
That is a really good list. And it included several things that are easy to do...I just never think about them. I'm really going to try hard to remember these.
Instigator
Wonderful list and so true that first step to becoming a happier person is to be happy with who you are, to embrace your own self as is. Funny thing our pets have no problem with us, why do we come down on ourselves so hard?
I have a miracle every day when wake up and discover am still here, that is a wonderful thing in itself...
I too am having a hard time right now with the sunshine for 20 minutes these days, has been raining and gloomy now for the last 3!
jackie b central texas
Great list! I can see how this could help! We have some sunshine today here and I am already in a better mood! We have had some pretty cold and nasty weather lately and I welcome the sunshine!
I get way more than 20 minutes outside every day, no matter what the weather is. Yes, even during Hurricane Ivan -- the doggies needed a walk, so I put on the rain gear and went for a walk with them, praying a tree limb wouldn't come down on one of us.
It isn't the big things that are happy making, it's the little ones: the sunshine, watching a puppy play, listening to a child laugh. I think too many people expect too much, look for perfection, think that being happy has to be some sort of giddiness when really happiness is peace and contentment.
I agree with all of you ladies and the list. And if anyone thinks or tries to let someone else make their happiness, they are in for a rude awakening. Others can help with your happiness but not make it.
My only issue would be with #5. Otherwise, I'm content with me, and my life. I'm very fortunate right now.
May everyone have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.
The list has a lot of good things but there is one I would include and that is have your own special happy place. I have a store that I love to go to when I am down because it always lifts my spirits. It is Barnes & Noble! :-) Books never fail to make me happy!
I need to incorporate more of the list into my life.
I have to admit I'm not doing so good on these either. I don't know that I'm a negative ninny, but I definitely protect myself from disappointment.
I get very little sunshine, though. Especially in the winter, its dark when I go to work, dark when I leave. Its just now lightening up enough, but its too cold for me to care.
I do sing. Incessantly and without my knowledge, sometimes. There's always a song in my head and it just leaks out.
Some of these are hard, but buying warm socks and taking baths, I can do. I need to do that more.
I just read a few days ago that Vitamin D supplements are great for helping to give you the extra little bit of 'sun' that you don't get enough of. Apparently, Vitamin D helps with depression, energy and so forth. Perhaps we could all use a dose of D for some :D !
I love your list, SP! Oh, to have all the time in the world to structure my life and live it in such a way.
I agree with Linda. We spend too much time perfecting our lives only to miss the perfection before us.
Smell the roses! Taste the wine! All you need is to make more time!
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