Aug 8 - Today is NATIONAL HAPPINESS HAPPENS DAY!
Today is National Happiness Happens Day, a day to celebrate and cultivate happiness in our lives. Happiness is a natural state, but often we let bad habits and negative thoughts get in the way of experiencing it. Fortunately, with some effort and commitment, we can reprogram ourselves to eliminate these barriers and cultivate greater happiness in our lives.
If you're ready to take on a challenge, try a 30-day happiness challenge! Here are some strategies to get you started:
- Keep a gratitude diary. Each day for the next 30 days, list 10 things that make you feel grateful. The challenging part is that each day must have 10 unique items! No repeats. This practice can help shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life, leading to greater feelings of happiness and contentment.
- Spend 10 minutes visualizing your ideal future. Envisioning a positive future can help create a sense of hope and motivation. Spend a few minutes each day visualizing what you want your life to be. Set realistic goals that are within reach and that bring joy and fulfillment.
- Set a small goal that can be accomplished in 30 days and spend at least 10 minutes each day working toward it. Accomplishing goals can be a source of happiness and satisfaction. Choose a goal that is meaningful to you, such as losing 10 pounds, redoing your landscaping, or writing 15 pages for your book. Spend a few minutes each day taking action toward achieving that goal.
- Give at least two compliments each day. Giving compliments can create positive feelings for both the giver and receiver. Make it a habit to give yourself and at least one other person a compliment each day. This can create a positive and uplifting environment.
- Catch and stop all negative thoughts. Negative thoughts can be a major barrier to happiness. Catch yourself when you’re dwelling on a negative thought and think about something else instead. Practice shifting your thoughts to a more positive and uplifting mindset.
- Focus on solutions instead of problems. Focusing on solutions rather than problems can help reduce stress and increase feelings of control. Instead of dwelling on your problems, think about solutions and take action to address them. This can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
- Create a list of 30 things you can do over the next 30 days that will increase your happiness. These can be big or small things, such as calling an old friend, trying a new restaurant, or watching your favorite movie. Having something to look forward to each day can create a sense of excitement and anticipation.
- And last but not least: Eat a whole foods diet. Eliminate unhealthy foods such as gluten, dairy, unhealthy fats and processed foods that can lead to inflammation in the body and negatively impact mood. On the other hand, a whole foods diet rich in fruits and vegetables, can help reduce inflammation, improve brain function, and boost mood. Research has shown that a healthy diet is linked to better emotional well-being and a more positive outlook on life. In a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, researchers found that people who ate a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains had a lower risk of depression and improved mental health outcomes compared to those who ate a diet high in processed foods and unhealthy fats.
Happiness doesn’t have to be elusive. In our endeavor to find happiness, we often focus on the wrong things and ignore the right things. We have too many negative thoughts and spend too much time thinking about the past and the future. We end up training ourselves to be unhappy, instead.
Wouldn’t you rather train yourself to be happy? You can do this! Give yourself 30 days to prove it to yourself. You can feel different in a month!
But for today, enjoy Happiness Happens day, and choose to be happy, be grateful, and count your blessings.
MAKE A GREAT DAY!
Jennifer
aka your Health & Wellnurse
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