Happiness is a state of mind. Yet, many of us feel constantly irritated, anxious, low, depressed or sad, at one time or the other. Well, humans are emotional beings, and it is reasonable to go through a cycle of emotions, but continually feeling low or underachieved as compared to your peers, or always finding yourself stressed to do something more or better – will only take a toll on your health and lead to several mental and physical ailments, bringing down your performance at work and also affecting other spheres of your life.
How to Stay Happy?
It isn’t possible to feel good 24/7. However, you can perk up your mood and stay positive and happy most of the time by following these simple tips:
1. Exercise Regularly
Physical workouts are known to release endorphins or good mood hormones that make you feel better and elevate your mood instantly. “As little as 10-min physical activity per week or 1 day of doing exercise per week might result in increased levels of happiness,” say the researchers at the University of Michigan after conducting a systematic review of the relationship between physical activity and happiness.
The best part is that it doesn’t matter what kind of physical activity you indulge in – whether it is a walk to the supermarket, a sweaty gym session or just a jog around the blog with your pooch, any kind of exercise will not only benefit you medically but also elevate your mood.
2. Practice Gratitude
There are many things in life to feel grateful for – but it is easier to count our miseries than feel thankful for the blessings in our lives. To feel positive and happy, make it a habit to list down all the things you feel grateful for, regularly, and see the difference in your attitude. To start with, you can remind yourself of five things you feel grateful for as soon as you wake up. This could be as simple as a hearty meal, a good job, a loving spouse, a safe home and a warm bed. You can also express gratitude by thanking people for the small things they do for you, such as treating a colleague to a coffee for helping out with some important project.
In case you have more time on hand, you can also volunteer at a pet shelter, old age home or any other charity of your choice for a few hours every week to give back to the world for all your blessings.
3. Sleep Well
Good sleep is not only essential for better health and immunity but also impacts your mental health. Lack of sleep not only reduces your productivity but is also linked to depression, obesity, and even cancer in the long run. On the contrary, research indicates that optimistic people sleep longer and a good night’s sleep is closely associated with your mood and performance the next day.
Think about it – do you ever wake up groggy and irritated after partying all night or having worked into the wee hours of the morning? Break this cycle by inculcating good sleep habits such as hitting the bed on time and try to clock in at least seven and a half hours of sleep daily. If you are having difficulty falling asleep at night, try meditating, taking a relaxing soak or replacing your bedding. Yes, something as small as your pillow can play a significant role in determining the quality of your sleep, which is why it is essential to choose a pillow according to your sleeping posture and other requirements.
YOLO – You Live Only Once! So stay happy and enjoy every moment of life. Remember, everybody has rough times – but you must make a conscious effort to stay positive and happy to attract better things into your life.
Love and light !