Harvesting happiness

Hello happy face ! 

Happiness is circular. Happy people have happy habits, which in turn, makes them happier.

Got this from an online magazine on psychiatry . Definitely worth a read.

Here I begin my wordathon on harvesting happiness !

1. Live in the moment!

Look around your environment and take note of one thing that you often take for granted. Bring mindful attention and awareness to it. Try to engage all your senses. Notice the positive feelings and associations that go with it. Try to hold onto this awareness for 15-20 seconds or so, to let it really sink in. 

2. Be non- judgemental !

Most people, including you, are doing the best they can with the resources they have in any particular moment.

3. Be realistic !

 You don’t necessarily have to be a positive thinker. Sometimes healthy skepticism is appropriate. Try to be balanced in your thinking.

4.Connect to buffer

We are inherently social and have a fundamental need for belonging. Having social support is a buffer in times of stress.

5. Resolve conflicts proactively. Treat emotional issues as temporary and solvable. Realize you can be kind without having people walk all over you.

6.Express gratitude

Express gratitude to those who have made a difference in your life. Send a card. Write a letter. Visit in person.

 

7.Focus the GOOD

This helps reorient our brains to the fact that things are actually going pretty well.

8.Live like you're on vacation. 

What makes the time we spend on vacation better than the time we spend at home? We are open to new experiences.

9.Can't smile ? Fake it!

 Studies show that if your face is in a smiling position (such as holding a pen long-ways in your mouth), it sends signals to your brain that you are happy. If you don’t want to put a pen in your mouth, simply focus on turning up the corners of your mouth ever so slightly. Imagine that even your eyes are smiling.

10.Laugh 

 Laughter has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce certain stress hormones, defend against respiratory infections, increase memory and learning, improve alertness, and increase creativity. Didn't do this to me though!

11.Simplify. Too many things, too many activities, too many choices—really too much of anything—can cause stress and decrease happiness. 

-Kbye

-Happy Person