How to be Happy Every Day: A Guide to Living a Good Life. Part 2 of 3
Give Yourself a Break
It can be hard to stay positive when the going gets tough. But remember, it's not about being lucky or unlucky - it's about giving yourself a break and taking things one step at a time. Start by setting standards that are challenging but achievable. Remember that good things happen in life, even if bad news dominates the headlines for a while. So take some time every day to do something you love or appreciate, whether it's spending time with loved ones or just going for a walk in nature. These small, mindful choices will help recharge your battery and give you hope during difficult times. In turn, this mindset will encourage you to keep on keeping on, no matter how tough things get!
Exercise
Exercise is not just good for your health - it also makes you happy! Numerous studies have shown that regular exercise can improve moods, reduce stress, and boost energy levels. That said, there are many exercises to choose from, so you can find the one that's perfect for you. Walking around the block daily is a great way to start; once you get into it, adding some exercises (like running, yoga, or pilates) will prolong the benefits even further. Make sure to include at least one form of exercise in your routine each day for the best results!
Get plenty of sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Constantly being on the go can take its toll on mental and physical energy levels. To get a good night's sleep, follow these simple tips:
1) Stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up time. This will help you regulate your body's natural rhythms, making it easier to fall asleep at night.
2) Get quality sleep - don't skimp on your pillow or sheets! A poor sleeping environment will lead to short restful slumbering hours.
3) Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet - this will help you relax before falling asleep quickly. If there are any distractions in the room (phone ringing, chatting with friends), try focusing on mindfulness techniques or meditation so that you can centre yourself mentally before drifting off into dreamland.
Acknowledge the unhappy moments
It is natural to experience painful moments throughout our lives. However, it's important not to beat ourselves up over them. After all, unhappiness is part of the human experience and should be acknowledged rather than suppressed or ignored. When you're feeling down about your life, reflecting on what went wrong in the past few minutes or hours can be helpful. Once this has been done, make a plan of action that will help address the issues head-on. For example, you may need time away from people and things that upset you; going for a run would work well for you. Whatever steps are necessary - make sure they are taken!
Keep a journal
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced journal writer, keeping a journal is one of the best ways to improve your life in multiple ways. Here are some reasons why everyone should start writing in journals: - It can help you reflect on your day and learn from your experiences. This will help you build better relationships, succeed at work, and cope with difficult situations better. - It can also be used as a goal-setting and planning tool. By listing specific objectives you would like to achieve over the next week or month, it becomes easier to progress towards them. Journaling can also act as a source of motivation when things get tough! - Writing in positive terms is key - don't beat yourself up about what happened yesterday or last week; focus on looking forward rather than dwelling on the past. In this way, writing becomes less stressful and more motivating overall.
Avoid comparing yourself to others
Comparison is the root of all evil. It's easy to get caught up in the rat race and compare ourselves to others. This invariably leads to frustration, unhappiness, and even self-doubt. Instead of focusing on what we don't have or how we could be better than our peers, we should focus on living a good life and doing things that make us happy. This doesn't mean ignoring reality - after all, happiness comes from within - but instead accepting things and learning to be content with what we have. Once you start living this way, your chances of being happy increase exponentially!
Declutter
Decluttering is one of the fundamental steps in creating a clutter-free home. You will feel happier overall by taking care of your possessions, hanging up your clothes correctly, and clearing away unwanted items. Besides making you happy physically, decluttering can also help to clear your mind and focus on more important things. When everything's neatly put away in its rightful place, and you know where everything is - both literally and figuratively - it becomes much easier to start thinking straight.
See friends
Friendship is vital for happiness, and ensuring you have enough of them is good. Spending time with loved ones lowers stress levels and is suitable for the soul - making it an ideal way to de-stress after a hectic day. It's also important to take time for yourself every day, even if it's just 10 minutes! This can be used to clear your head and reflect on your day; in this way, you get closer to understanding what made you happy or learned something new. Taking time out each week can go a long way towards boosting overall well-being!
Plan your week
Weekend stress is a common problem and can affect our mental and physical health. To reduce the amount of stress we experience during the week, it's essential to have a plan. Make sure you know what you will be working on that day - this way; you won't be thrown off your game by surprises. Also, set aside time for fun and relaxation; without both things in life, we would eventually fall prey to stress. And last but not least... keep your goals in mind! Having them at the forefront of our minds constantly is necessary to stay motivated over the long term.
Ditch your phone
There's nothing wrong with intermittent phone checking here and there. Still, for most of us, it's time well spent doing something else. Switching off your phone for an hour every day can do wonders for your mental health - not to mention giving you more time to focus on what matters in life. Besides, if we're being honest, most of us use our phones to escape reality rather than look at them as a way to connect with people and experience things in greater depth. So why not try meditation or take some time out for yourself instead? These activities are sure to help de-stress-stress and improve your overall well-being.
Explore meditation
Meditation isn't just for people looking to find inner peace and happiness. It has numerous benefits that can be significantly used in everyday life. Mindfulness meditation is one such practice that helps you relax your mind and focus on specific thoughts or emotions. It's essential to pick the correct type of meditation for you, as many options are available. Start with 5-10 minutes a day and gradually increase the time as you get more comfortable with it. Make sure to stick to a routine so that mindfulness and meditation becomes part of your everyday life!
Take yourself out
It's essential to make time for yourself every day. This can be done in various ways, but the most important thing is finding something that makes you happy. Doing this regularly will gradually shift your focus from what is outside of yourself to what matters most - namely, taking care of yourself! Another way to take care of yourself is by practising yoga or meditation. They both can calm and relax the mind and allow it peace. In today's fast-paced world, it is finding ways to de-stress is precious so that you can better concentrate on work or daily activities.
Create a thought list
Creating a thought list can help achieve a happiness state. Thinking about things that make you happy helps to maintain a positive mindset and prevents negative thoughts from creeping in. Mindfulness – the practice of living in the present moment without getting lost in your thoughts- is also essential for experiencing lasting happiness. When we're constantly dwelling on negative things, it's tough to remain contented and happy. Instead of trying to control everything or worrying about the future all the time, focus on enjoying life now! Gratitude will help put you in good spirits and keep you there throughout the day!
Take time to reflect.
Taking time to reflect on your life is one of the most important things you can do. By reflecting on your current state, you'll be able to identify areas where you need improvement. Once you know what needs attention, making a plan and taking action will go much more straightforward. In addition to improving yourself as an individual, it's also important that you focus on happiness overall. You don't have to live life at 100mph - try and find joy in the small things! Reflecting on happy moments from the past can help boost your mood today. And remember: nobody is perfect - so give yourself permission not to always be perfect!
Reevaluate your goals
It is important to regularly reassess your goals and make sure they align with your values and personality. Revisiting them regularly will help you stay motivated and on track while also helping you learn from your successes and failures. Take some time for yourself every day - even if it's just 10 minutes! Doing something that brings you joy helps keep stress levels at bay, which in turn helps improve productivity. Reflecting on the events of the past day can also give you insights into how to handle difficult situations in the future better. By doing this, you'll be happier both mentally and physically!
Take care of your body.
Eating a balanced and healthy diet is one of the best things you can do for your body and mind. Not only will it make you feel better, but it's also essential to staying healthy overall. Exercising regularly has many positive effects on your mood and well-being - not to mention that it helps reduce stress levels. Getting enough sleep is vital for mental and physical health; if you don't get enough sleep, your brain won't be able to function at its best in the morning. A good attitude is like sunshine – essential for happy living!
Let go of grudges
Forgiveness is an essential emotion that helps us maintain a positive outlook. It lets go of the negative feelings associated with past hurt and allows us to move on. Forgiving people as soon as possible is essential - this will free up energy, which can be used for better things. It also encourages good feelings towards others and removes any potential grounds for conflict or resentment down the line. By living in the present moment and focusing on all the good things that have happened recently, you will cultivate a positive mindset that can last throughout your day. All it takes is some effort - start by acknowledging how forgiving you are every day, and watch your mood improve effortlessly!
Plan a trip
Planning a trip is one of the best ways to de-stress. You can relax and rejuvenate by taking some time out of your hectic life. Plus, it's always fun to explore new places! Most people prefer trips that are culturally rich as well as geographically diverse. So, before planning your dream trip, consider what interests you most and see which destination best suits this profile. Furthermore, ensure that all aspects of your travel plan (flight information included) have been carefully calculated so that everything goes smoothly on arrival. And last but not least: Have fun while on vacation!
Come back tomorrow for the third and final part of our Happiness blog.
Contact john@thehelpinghandcoaching.com to learn about our coaching programs, seminars, and workshops and how they can help you.
Be well.
You belong here.
John.
