We’ve all fallen into thinking “I will be happy when ___________”. Sometimes it’s a mind set we’ve been taught: Eat your vegetables before you can have dessert; There’s no time for happiness just “hard” work. Often it’s simply paddling as fast as we can to keep our head above water.
Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage, maintains we need to get happy first and success will be easier for when we are in a good mood we work better, are more creative, and cope better.
The neurochemistry says it all
“Positive emotions flood our brain with dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that not only make us feel good, but dial up the learning centers of our brains to higher levels. They help us organize new information, keep that information in the brain longer, and retrieve it faster later on. And they enable us to make and sustain more neural connections, which allows us to think more quickly and creatively, become more skilled at complex analysis and problem solving, and see and invent new ways of doing things.”
Heels over Head by Peggy
Smple activities that will increase the “happy” neurotransmitters in your brain.
Recall a memory of something happy or funny
Take a brisk walk
Watch a funny video clip or cartoon
Hang out with someone who makes you smile
Proven ways to increase happiness which take a bit more time and effort:
1. Meditation (“Joy on Demand”, a book on easy ways to meditate)
2. Think of something you can look forward to doing
3. Perform an act of kindness
Acts of Kindness by Peggy
4.Modify your physical environment (go outside in nice weather, surround yourself with pictures that remind you of loved ones, happy times, trips, read positive magazines, books, videos or surround yourself with objects or symbols that bring a smile.
5. Exercise 20 – 30 min. 3X week
6. Create & nurture relationships.
7. Use your skills and do something you enjoy
There’s so much really good information in this post – practical ways to get happy and do good things at the same time – eat and live healthy, an act on behalf of someone else, remember past positive moments, and plan a wonderful event for the future. All great strategies.
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Sharon
Thank you so much!!We actually learned a lot being therapists for a gazillion years each! And we love your comments :-).
Peggy
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Very true.
Happiness comes easily with gratitude. Gratitude for the simple things in life we often take for granted…
Love the drawings to illustrate your points. I have always been an advocate for eating dessert first, or anytime you wish! (Don’t wait or someone else might get to it first :))
Peta
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Peta,
Yes, gratitude can change you mood quickly. Just thinking about how lucky I am to have the family I have and the friends I have makes me smile, even when other things in my life are not going so well. Enjoy your dessert!
Peggy
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