Make Time to be Happy
Long working days and hectic family lives can sometimes make happiness seem impossible. With a to-do list the length of your arm, just getting to bed at reasonable hour is a blessing. To stop one day running seamlessly into another, you need to live in the moment – life’s too short!
Most recently, #100HappyDays encouraged us to cherish precious moments through social media. They challenged us to submit a picture of something that made us happy each day via Facebook and Twitter, for 100 days. They found that 71% couldn’t complete the task simply because they didn’t have the time to be happy. But those who did witnessed noticeable differences – they were ‘in a better mood each day, received more compliments and even fell in love.’
Meditate
For centuries, many have turned to mediation for inner peace, and it works. It’s a controlling technique that clears your mind of everyday worries and enhances inner strength. A ten-minute break from the day-to-day, in a quiet room where you can concentrate on nothing but your breathing, helps you to become a calmer, happier person. It develops your emotional intelligence and enables you to cope with situations far more effectively.
Learn Something
Whether you loved school or not, it’s important that you continue to learn new things. Mastering a new skill not only gives you an amazing sense of achievement and self-confidence, but it also keeps the mind active and throws you into new, exciting social situations. Whether that’s by learning a language or joining a sports team, being curious about your surroundings makes you happier than you realise.
Be Grateful
In your search for happiness, it’s easy to forget about all the great things you’ve already got going for you. American talk show host and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey advocates the use of a ‘Gratitude Journal.’ Each night for ten years she wrote down 5 things that she was grateful for. No matter how busy her schedule seemed; she’d always find the time to note down the little things that made her happy. Give it a try – it really makes you appreciate what you have.
Lend a Hand
A great way to beat the January blues is to lend a helping hand. Rather than fretting about your holiday weight, channel your energies into something more productive, like volunteering. It improves relationships and boosts morale. As Mahatma Ghandi said, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Discover a cause you’re passionate about and work your magic.