Even if you are not one of the lucky ones who feels genetically predisposed to happiness, you can change how you feel by changing how you think and changing some of the actions you take. With only a little practice, it is possible to choose happiness. Here are six simple and easy things that you can do to start becoming a happier person right now.
3 Things to Avoid
1. Listening to/Watching/Reading the news first thing in the morning and right before bed.
First thing in the morning and right before bed your brain is in a relaxed state and you are highly receptive to suggestion. Listening to or watching the news first thing in the morning can set you up in a negative frame of mind for the whole day. Similarly, just before bed, when you've already been winding down, your brain is relaxed and getting ready for dream time to process your experiences and everything that is on your mind.
Ending your day with the powerful negative stimuli provided by the nightly news, especially if you watch it on television which stimulates both visual and auditory cognitive centres, downloads a lot of stress inducing information to your relaxed brain which soaks it up like a sponge. Avoid the news, and any violent television programs before bed. You will rest easier and have sweeter dreams if you stop inputting negative thoughts and images right before bedtime.
2. Playing "I can beat your horror story"
Although this is often a favourite activity at work and at social gatherings, unless you make them really funny stop telling your "horror stories" about work, relationships/ marriage/ divorce, pregnancy/birth, airports, renovations,... anything.
Telling and retelling negative stories keeps them active in your mind and imagination. The human need to reciprocate will have all of your friends and colleagues dragging out their own similar tales, and before you know it they'll all be re-activating their negative experiences and everyone's mood will take a dive.
The more often your subconscious hears, remembers, thinks about the same story, the more deeply it is imprinted and the truer it becomes through sheer force of repetition. If you want to be happy, stop replaying your life's minor and major mishaps, annoyances and tragedies out loud, and talk about happier things.
3. Hanging Out with Negative People
Do your best to avoid constant complainers. To be happy, it is very important to have friends and supporters, but you need people who are upbeat and not those who are into incessant griping, moaning and nagging. These people can suck the energy and sunshine out of your psyche just by entering a room.
If you can't avoid this type of person (maybe they are your spouse, or your mother, or your best friend) be kind and let them know you still care. Let them know that as part of your new approach to a happier life, you will help them find positive solutions for their problems. If they still just want to complain, do your best to change the subject. If this doesn't work, try meridian tapping or EFT to keep your own equilibrium until you can change the subject.
3 Easy Things to Do to Become a Happier Person Now
1. Smile
Did you know that the simple physical act of smiling releases endorphins and dopamine (pleasure chemicals) into your brain? So, even if you are not feeling happy to start with, the very act of smiling makes you feel good. It may feel like you're putting the cart before the horse, but it really works, so give it a try.
2. Laugh Out Loud
Like smiling, the physical act of laughing causes your body to release feel good chemicals into your brain. The skin and muscles in your face are tied directly to your hypothalamus, the mood regulating organ of the brain. Laughing triggers the release of happy hormones, so make it a point to find things to laugh about whenever possible to feel good and lift your mood.
Laughing is so good for you, in fact, that there are now classes in something called "Laughter Yoga." Active laughing can give your core a great workout. Add this to sending pleasure chemicals to your brain, and having fun just because you're laughing, and you have lots of reasons to go ahead and LOL as often as you can!
3. Go Outside & Breathe
And get a little sun if you can. Seeing green and living things is an automatic mood lifter, and so is getting a hit of Vitamin D from the sun. Breathing fresh air and seeing the sky just feels good. The full spectrum of natural light is a pleasure to eyes strained by the strobe effect of fluorescent lights. Even going outside in rain or winter weather can give you a boost by giving you a reason to breathe in the sweet ozone-rich air of rainy weather, or the dry crisp freshness of winter's chill.
©Jacqueline R. Isaac, 2010
About this Author
For more fun and easy ways to become happier, I invite you to claim your free access to my special report 10 Quick & Easy Mood Lifters. You'll get this free 9 page report as a bonus when you subscribe to my e-zine to keep getting useful articles, tips, book reviews and more at http://www.bestlifecoaching.ca/newsletter-signup.html
From Jacqueline Isaac, and Best Life Coaching. Jackie believes that you're supposed to be happy. She coaches individuals & groups, and gives inspiring & educational talks to help you change your thinking, free yourself from old, limiting beliefs and rediscover your joyful, purposeful, passionate life.
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