“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
Zen Master – Thich Nhat Hanh
Happiness grows when we nurture our needs, gather glimmers, and string together many joy filled moments. Happiness definitely isn’t an end point. It requires protecting our patch, propagating pleasures, digging for delights and sprinkling contentment and high quality content into our days. Here’s 25 ways. I hope they inspire, motivate and add enrichment.
- Make a love list. Look within and make a check list of what’s missing, longed for, needed and wanted. What would we love to have, or experience that would bring greater joy and contentment?
- Be a curious observer. Explore what others are doing that looks and feels uplifting, purposeful and appealing.
- Meditate and be self reflective. Aim for a life that feels more intentional, pleasurable, calm and compassionate, and filled with deeper meaning.
- Explore interests and passions at every spare opportunity.
- Glimmer hunt because micro-moments of joy, calm, peace and safety help regulate our nervous system.
- Be thankful and express gratitude for at least three things each day. Look for heart warming experiences. Let’s count our blessings and implement gratitude rituals.
- Be kind to ourselves and others. The brain is always listening and responding to threat and safety, real or perceived. Becoming more aware of the nature of our thoughts and self talk, is a game changer. Make sure the majority is soothing, kind and encouraging.
- Reminisce. Take a walk down memory lane. Look at old photos and tune into positive memories to conjure up happy feelings.
- Smile more often because it can actually change the way we feel, regardless of why we are smiling. When we smile, certain facial muscles contract, signaling the brain to release feel good endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.
- Savor good experiences. When we mindfully pay attention, we intensify positive feelings that arise and move memory from short-term to long-term storage. It counteracts the negativity bias, enhances mood, and boosts satisfaction.
- Notice the things that are going right. Notice what is good. Praise and affirm. Tell others when we are happy. Share stories. Spread good news.
- Seek wonder! Really take in the beauty of nature. Be thankful for the shade the trees offer. Allow birdsong to fill the soul. Take time to dream and imagine shapes in the clouds. Get up in the middle of the night and marvel at how beautiful our night sky is.
- Spend quality time with friends, children, flora and fauna.
- Indulge in small pleasures. Enjoy coffee in a cafe. Munch on a cookie. Dissolve a sliver of chocolate on your tongue. Read a magazine. Soak up a patch of sunshine.
- Stimulate the senses. Listen to uplifting music. Smell a sensational scent. Look at incredible art. Eat something crunchy. Feel fabulous fabrics.
- Finish what you start. Make lists and tick things off. Completion is rewarding. When we recognize all the good habits we slot into our day, we create emotional lift.
- Aim for comfort and contentment. Fresh sheets. Fresh air. Soft pillows. Friendship.
- Giggle more.
- Simplify things. Improve sleep. Remove clutter and organize physical and digital spaces.
- Make and take time out every day. Aim for quality solitude, sanctuary and stillness.
- Get more high quality connection. Spend time with people who are inspiring, uplifting and supportive. Stay away from toxicity, gossip, unnecessary competitiveness and negativity as much as possible.
- Engage in meaningful activities. Donate. Volunteer. Give. Teach something. Learn something new. Show kindness to the environment.
- Exercise. Move, walk, dance, and wiggle and jiggle. Even a little bit of exercise produces a happiness boost.
- Overcome challenges. Manage stress, set achievable goals, and seek support from safe people.
- Get enchanted, aim for enrichment and stay open to fresh experiences. Take part in cultural activities. Try new things. Plan an adventure, go to a concert, try a new recipe, grow vegetables, take a workshop. Learn. Explore. Connect.
Leanne French Relationship Expert & Counsellor 